PRE-TEEN
By the time kids reach age 8, their front teeth are usually complete. Between ages 8 and 12, the baby teeth in the back are lost and are replaced by permanent teeth.
Crowding is an issue that often appears during is the pre-teen years. This is the most common orthodontic problem. With crowding, there just isn’t enough room for all of the adult teeth to come in straight. If crowding occurs Early Intervention or Phase 1 orthodontics can be started. Expanders are used to expand the dental arch and make more room for the new teeth.
During the pre-teen years, food choices can cause some of the biggest dental problems. Several popular snacks cause long-term damage and should be avoided. Raisins and Fruit Roll-Ups are high-sugar foods that are especially sticky. The sugar stays in the grooves of the teeth and causes cavities. Other problem snacks include Warheads and Sour Patch Kids. These sour candies contain acids which directly dissolve teeth - malic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid. The stickiness of these products ensures that sugar and acids stay on the teeth for long periods.