Dental Checklist for Graduates

Class of 2015 stampGraduation season is upon us and there is much to celebrate. It’s a time to celebrate recent accomplishments and it’s also time to celebrate the possibility of your future endeavors. In Scottsbluff, many graduates are saying goodbye to high school and others are celebrating the completion of their college studies. Whether you are preparing to enter college or enter the working world, you’ll need to take time to prepare for the next step.

At this junction in your life, as a young adult, it’s important that you don’t overlook your dental health. To ensure that you protect the smile that your parents have invested in, review the following checklist before you embark on the next phase of your journey:

  • Schedule a dental checkup and cleaning: Teens and young adults often experience an increase in tooth decay and gingivitis due to changes in their eating patterns and the higher level of internal stress. Many young adults will also tend to experience a brief lapse in dental care as they transition to a new school or new job. Plan to have one last checkup before you hit the road.
  • Evaluate your wisdom teeth: The third molars typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 21, and that’s the perfect time to have them evaluated. If they need to be extracted, it’s best to schedule the surgery during the summer break or before you sign in for your first day of work.
  • Check your retainer: If your old retainer is hidden in the back of your sock drawer and no longer fits, have a new one made before it’s too late. Without it, the teeth will shift continuously and many young adults find that they’ll need to have braces again to regain their alignment.

Preparation for the future is an important part of your graduation celebration. Make sure that you include a little advanced preparation for your dental health, too. Call to schedule a dental appointment today for more information.