Most teens aren’t fond of wearing bulky metal braces to straighten their teeth. Thankfully, they have the option of correcting their bite with Invisalign clear aligners. It’s rather easy to manage the treatment process during the summer, but what’s a good strategy to use when the new school year gets underway? Continue reading to get some professional tips that will help your teen thrive with Invisalign in Kansas City during the upcoming semester!
Eating at School
One of the many perks of treatment with Invisalign is that it allows your teen to maintain a normal diet. That’s because the clear aligners are removable. While this is super convenient, it can sometimes be a deterrent for teens.
Why??
It can be difficult and uncomfortable to remove the aligner trays early in the treatment process because of how tight they fit. You can help your teen by purchasing an OrthoKey, a product designed specifically for easy and safe Invisalign aligner removal.
With this helpful tool, teens are less likely to skip lunch, which is probably the most important meal of the day for them.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
While it’s always a necessity to maintain good oral hygiene, it becomes even more important when your teenager is wearing Invisalign clear aligners. Because the trays fit so closely to the teeth, teens need to follow some basic rules in order to avoid plaque growth and cavities.
You should emphasize the importance of brushing after each meal. To monitor compliance, pack a travel-sized tube of toothpaste and toothbrush. If there are no signs of the toothpaste being used, it’s an indicator that your teen isn’t following through with the necessary oral hygiene.
Flossing is equally as important as toothbrushing, but with the fast pace of high school, it can be a challenge to maintain this extra step toward cleanliness. You can help out by purchasing floss picks. They provide a much faster way to clean between the teeth than traditional dental flossing.
Following the Recommended Wear Time
Maybe the biggest challenge for your teen is following the required time for wearing the aligners, which is typically 20 to 22 hours per day. Failing to do so can result in smile regression and a longer treatment time. To encourage compliance, you can constantly remind your son or daughter of the goal at hand and that by following the Invisalign Teen schedule provided by your dentist, a gorgeous new smile to show off on social media is just around the corner.
Bad Breath and Dry Mouth
The last thing your teen wants is to be ostracized for having bad breath. Because Invisalign can contribute to dry mouth, it’s easy to develop unpleasant breath. Here are some preventive suggestions:
- Drink plenty of water
- Don’t forget to brush the tongue when performing oral hygiene.
- Stock up on sugar-free Movemints, which are specifically made to be eaten when wearing clear aligners.
With a simple strategy in place, you and your teenager can feel comfortable about staying on track with Invisalign treatment in the upcoming school year!
About the Author
Dr. Michael C. Byars is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Constantly driven to learn more, he takes several hours of continuing education yearly, which allows him to provide effective care in a host of areas, including Invisalign orthodontics. Dr. Byars creates beautiful and functional smiles for teens at his private practice, and he can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.