If you’ve just learned that your teenager needs braces, you might have a flashback of your own experience. Walking the halls of your high school with a mouth full of metal was not an enjoyable experience, so realizing you’re going to have to put your child through the same is certainly not fun. But what if they don’t have to have the same experience as you? With Invisalign Teen aligners, they can have a straighter smile without anyone else ever knowing! As your teen prepares to begin treatment, here are 5 ways they will need to care for their aligners in order to achieve the desired results on time.
What Are Invisalign Teen Aligners?
It isn’t just adults who want the look of a straighter smile. Teenagers nowadays are more concerned about their appearance, which means the metal brackets and wires sometimes aren’t as welcomed. With Invisalign Teen Clear Aligners, your teenager can achieve a straighter smile more discreetly than before.
This new level of orthodontic technology provides your teen with customized clear aligners with each set representing a different stage of their tooth movement. After two weeks of wear, they’ll change them out for a new set. With each new set, your teenager’s teeth will get closer and closer to the correct location, ultimately, creating a straighter, more beautiful smile.
How Can My Teen Take Proper Care of Them?
We all know how kids and teenagers can be when it comes to their oral health. You’re probably always asking the question, “Did you brush your teeth?” If your dentist believes Invisalign Teen is the right method of treatment, it’s imperative to stress the importance of taking proper care of their aligners. They need to know that you are making an investment in their smile, so any delays in their treatment can be problematic.
To help them throughout the process, here are 5 ways for your teen to take care of their aligners.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: This means they will need to brush their teeth twice a day for a full two minutes. They’ll also need to floss once a day (at least), rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash, and remember to clean their tongue.
- Attend scheduled orthodontic appointments: Although wearing Invisalign doesn’t require as many visits to the dentist, your teen will still need to see the dentist several times throughout the treatment process to ensure everything is moving along smoothly.
- Clean the aligners properly: Your teen can opt for the Invisalign Cleaning System to effectively clean their aligners; however, they can also use a toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water to remove any bacteria or dried saliva.
- Avoid stain-causing foods or drinks: Yes, your teen is required to remove their aligners prior to eating or drinking, but should they decide to consume stain-causing foods or drinks such as soda, coffee, berries, or tea, the stains on their teeth can easily transfer to their aligners if they’re not careful. If they partake in these items, they’ll need to either brush their teeth or thoroughly rinse out their mouth before reinserting their aligners.
- Use a protective case: It’s important that your teen has a protective case for their aligners. When they remove them to eat or drink, instruct them to always place their aligners inside the protective case. This will keep them from accidentally being dropped or stepped on.
Taking proper care of their aligners is crucial to ensure there are no delays in treatment, so take the time to talk to your teenager about their treatment. By helping your teen to follow these simple tips, they’ll have a straighter smile in no time.
About the Author
Dr. Dalia Georgy, DDS, earned her doctorate at the University of Oklahoma. In addition to being a general dentist, she has completed more than 200 continuing education credits and received specialty training in braces. She and her husband, Dr. Mohanna, oversee Glenpool Braces and want to see their patients achieve confident, healthy smiles. While some dental offices only offer Invisalign braces to adults, Dr. Georgy offers them to teens who are believed to benefit from this type of treatment. If you think your son or daughter could benefit from Invisalign, contact us via our website or by calling (918) 201-1414.