Once your child reaching their teenage years, there is a good chance that they will undergo orthodontic treatment in order to fix misalignment issues. While it may not be their favorite time, the results are worth it. Now that your teen is heading back to school, navigating the day with their new Invisalign aligners may be more challenging. Here are a few tips to help them stay on track with their Invisalign treatment.
Pack a Toothbrush
One of the awesome things about Invisalign is that your teen doesn’t need to cut out any of their favorite foods and beverages in order to have a successful treatment. Invisalign aligners are removable, so they can have pretty much whatever they want for lunch. However, it is important that they take the time to thoroughly brush and floss their teeth before putting their aligners back in. Be sure that they are bringing a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss so no lingering food particles get stuck in their trays and cause decay.
Keep Invisalign Aligners Safe
When your teen needs to take out their aligners for lunch, a snack, or when playing a sport, it is important that they put them in a safe place so that they don’t get lost. Losing Invisalign aligners can throw off their treatment plan and ultimately prolong it. No one wants to wait longer to see their final results. Ensure that your teen is taking their Invisalign case to school so they can safely store it. This way, it will be much less likely that they’ll accidentally misplace their aligners.
Dealing with Discomfort
No orthodontic treatment is completely free from discomfort. While Invisalign doesn’t hurt, it does cause the teeth to shift around which can ultimately cause some soreness. This is especially the case right after your teen gets a new set of aligners. To reduce this, have your child change to their new trays before bedtime. This way, they will be sleeping while their smile is having to adjust the most. Dental wax can help to cover any rough edges that are irritating their mouth. No teen wants to be dealing with discomfort when they are trying to focus on their schoolwork.
Navigating school with Invisalign can be a challenge, but with the tips listed above, it should be a breeze. Your teen will be showing off their beautiful, aligned smile in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Jack Markusen is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for over four decades. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he earned his dental doctorate from the Medical University of South Carolina School of Dentistry. Currently, he is a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics, and the Academy of General Dentistry. For more information on Invisalign or to schedule an appointment at his office in Myrtle Beach, visit his website or call (843) 916-0990.