Teenagers tend to gravitate toward Invisalign because the aligners are much more discreet than traditional metal braces. Invisalign is a reliable, convenient, and effective way to straighten teeth! However, it can come with a few challenges, especially when your teen heads back to school this fall. How can you help them stay on track with their treatment? This blog post offers some practical tips.
Provide Nutritious Food
When your teen starts wearing a new aligner, their teeth and gums may be a bit tender and sore for a few days. It might be challenging for them to eat some of the foods provided at their school. You can consider packing a lunch that contains soft foods, like yogurt, a peanut butter sandwich, and other soft items that will not cause too much discomfort for a sore mouth.
Pack an Oral Hygiene Kit
If your teen does not keep up with oral hygiene, they might notice that their aligners become stained or they develop bad breath. To prevent such issues, make sure they have a small oral hygiene kit to take with them to school. It should contain floss, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. Mouth wash may also be helpful.
Make Sure the Aligners Stay Protected
Your teen should have a small storage case to place their aligners in at lunch time. Otherwise, they might wrap them in a napkin, which means they could easily get thrown in the trash!
Another way to protect Invisalign is to make sure your child has an appropriate mouthguard if they play sports. Instead of wearing their aligners during practices and games (they could easily get damaged), they should wear a custom appliance to protect their teeth from harm.
Talk about Self-Confidence
Many teenagers feel very aware of how others might perceive them. You can help your teen enjoy greater confidence during their Invisalign treatment by:
- Encouraging them to practice their speech. Some people develop a slight lisp while wearing Invisalign aligners. Usually, this issue goes away with time and practice.
- Promoting good practices. Bad habits, such as eating while wearing Invisalign or neglecting oral hygiene, could lead to aesthetic issues with your teen’s smile. Gentle reminders about best practices could help your teen maintain a confident smile during their treatment period.
Track Aligner Wear Time
For Invisalign to be effective, the aligners should stay in the mouth for 20 – 22 hours each day. Invisalign Teen comes with a small blue compliance dot that can help you track whether your child is keeping up with their treatment guidelines. If you notice room for improvement, you can talk to them about the problem, find out why they are falling short, and create a strategy to help them do better.
Invisalign can be a great orthodontic option for teens! Use the tips in this article to help your adolescent to enjoy successful treatment.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group is proud to serve families in our community. We offer Invisalign clear aligners for both teenagers and adults. If you have questions about this treatment or how to make a success out of it, we would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our Woodbridge office at 203-712-4068.