Daily patterns worth discussing
Nothing on this list is unusual, and being upfront helps the advice fit reality.
- Sipping pop or energy drinks over several hours.
- Skipping brushing when tired or out late.
- Eating on the run between school and work.
Your teen is taking over
Pediatric Dentistry for Selkirk Residents
Part-time jobs, late nights and energy drinks all arrive around the same time you stop checking whether anyone brushed. Here’s how dental visits can help a teenager start owning their oral health.
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A shift in who’s responsible
Helping Selkirk Teens Own Their Dental Health
Somewhere around high school, teeth stop being your project and start being theirs. That’s healthy, but routines can loosen along the way, and a teenager may not bring up a sore spot until it’s been bugging them for a while.
Teens in Selkirk, which lies outside the City of Winnipeg, come into the city for care at Winnipeg North Dental on McPhillips Street. A visit is a good place for your teen to hear advice directly, ask their own questions and learn what to watch for.
Explore pediatric dentistry
Advice aimed at them
Your teen gets explanations in their own right, and not only by way of a parent.
Their real routine
Late shifts, sports and snacking are all fair topics, without any scolding.
A habit worth keeping
Learning to go for regular care is a skill your teen can carry into adulthood.
Where teen routines show up
Changing habits, changing mouths.
As schedules shift, so can cavity risk. Part of the dentist’s job at this age is noticing how your teen’s everyday life is affecting their teeth and gums.
Issues that may be reviewed
Whether any of these apply will depend on your teen’s age, development and needs.
- Wisdom teeth or braces, where relevant.
- Mouth protection during sports.
- Areas getting less attention from the toothbrush.
A cleaning, fluoride or X-rays may be recommended on the basis of your teen’s risk. Ask about anything you or your teen would like explained.
An appointment for a near-adult
They speak up, and you back them up.
If your teen is ready for it, encourage them to do more of the talking. The visit is still tailored to their comfort, however grown-up they may seem.
Request your visit- 01
Telling their own story
Your teen describes any aches, sensitivity or concerns they’ve noticed, in their own words.
- 02
Having a thorough look
The dentist examines teeth and gums and considers how they’ve developed.
- 03
Prevention that makes sense
Anything recommended comes with a reason, so your teen isn’t simply told what to do.
- 04
Making it their plan
Brushing, diet and recall are covered, with the conversation addressed to your teen.
Handing over the prep work
Let your teen write the list.
Ask your teen to note what they’d like to know, and remind them that the team has heard it all before. Do make sure current medications and allergies are written down, since a teen may not remember them.
Whether a teen may attend without a parent, or what’s needed for that, is something to ask the clinic before the appointment.
For planning a trip in
- How long is my teen likely to be there?
- Might any treatment require another visit?
- Does a parent or guardian need to come along?
- How can records from a previous dental office be sent?
A sink and wood cabinets past a light blue dental chair, and two framed paintings over a waiting bench.
A teen who hates this
They may not admit they’re nervous.
Some teens stayed anxious about the dentist from a difficult experience when they were younger. They’re allowed to say so, and to ask for honest step-by-step explanations and a break when they want one.
Past experiences matter
Letting us know about an earlier bad visit helps the team adjust its approach.
Ask anything
No question from your teen is silly or too small to raise with the team.
Control over the pace
Your teen can tell the team when a short rest would be welcome.
Between appointments
Step back, but stay available.
You might stop reminding your teen to brush, but you can keep the door open. A casual check-in about teeth now and again can bring up problems early.
01
Hand over the reminder
Have your teen put their own recall timing into their phone.
02
Keep supplies in reach
A travel toothbrush in a bag or locker can rescue a long day away from home.
03
Make speaking up easy
Let your teen know that a sore tooth is simply something to report, with no lecture attached.
Your teen can have the clinic’s number saved too. It’s (204) 338-3003.
Talk with our team
Winnipeg North Dental
Unit-5 2358 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6Get directions (opens in a new tab)The place to come
Selkirk Teens Are Seen at Our Winnipeg Clinic
All of this care takes place at Winnipeg North Dental, Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg. Your teen can help plan the trip using the directions link.
A submitted form falls short of an actual appointment. The clinic has to contact you first, and that’s when you can sort out who is coming along.
Questions about coverage?
Talk with our team before your visit or learn about CDCP.
A little clarity before your visit
Your questions, answered.
Helpful details about pediatric dentistry in Selkirk.
Ask our teamCan my teen from Selkirk request their own appointment?
The form and (204) 338-3003 are the two ways to start, and your teen can help fill in the details. Ask the clinic whether a parent or guardian needs to be involved at any stage.
How often should a teenager go to the dentist?
It varies with development, cavity risk, hygiene and previous treatment. The dentist suggests an interval once your teen has been seen, so there’s no one answer for every teen.
Do energy drinks and pop actually matter that much?
Frequent sugary drinks are a common topic with teens, as they can raise the risk of cavities. Mention what your teen actually drinks, so the guidance can be practical.
My teen never mentions any problems. Should we still come?
Yes. Regular visits exist partly to catch what a person doesn’t notice or doesn’t mention, and your teen’s silence doesn’t necessarily mean all is well.
My teen wants to get their teeth whitened. Is that part of this?
A dentist would need to assess your teen first, so ask at the appointment. Cosmetic goals are decided on a case-by-case basis, and our Teeth Whitening page has general information.
What if my teen gets hit in the mouth at practice?
Call the clinic soon after and explain what happened. Serious facial injury, loss of consciousness, uncontrolled bleeding or breathing difficulty should get emergency medical care first.
For teens and parents
Additional topics to explore.
These pages explain routine preventive appointments, cosmetic whitening and teeth-straightening options that a teen may ask about.
Check-ups & Cleanings
Book dental check-ups and cleanings in Winnipeg for preventive exams, tartar removal, gum monitoring and personalized home-care guidance.
Explore serviceTeeth Whitening
Explore professional teeth whitening in Winnipeg for lifting stains and brightening your smile, including candidacy, shade goals and sensitivity.
Explore serviceInvisalign
Explore Invisalign treatment in Winnipeg for straightening teeth with removable clear aligners, including candidacy, daily wear, refinements and retainers.
Explore serviceHave an urgent concern? Call (204) 338-3003 to discuss availability.
Time for them to take the lead?
Book a visit your teen helps run.
Include your teen’s age and what they’d like to ask about. The clinic will respond so that you can settle on a time together.