We might be smack-dab in the middle of summer right now, but the beginning of a new school year will be here before you know it! If you have a son or daughter who is straightening their teeth with Invisalign Teen, you might be wondering how you can make sure they follow their treatment guidelines when they’re out of your sight for most of the day. These back-to-school tips for Invisalign Teen in Glenpool can help your child stay on the right track.
Eating at School
Unlike metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners don’t pose any dietary restrictions. However, certain foods can be challenging to eat. After beginning to wear a new set of aligners, the teeth and gums can feel sore, which might discourage your child from eating. When it’s time to switch out your teen’s aligners, pack them a lunch with plenty of easy-to-chew foods like oatmeal, yogurt, and soup.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene
Dental hygiene is important for everyone, but even more so for people wearing Invisalign. Remind your teen that if they don’t brush after eating and before placing their aligners back in, the trays could trap food particles against their teeth, increasing the risk of cavities.
Help your teen maintain a healthy smile by creating an on-the-go oral hygiene kit. Include a travel-sized toothbrush, fluoridated toothpaste, and dental floss. They can store the kit in their backpack so that it’s never out of reach.
Wearing the Aligners Often Enough
For Invisalign Teen to be successful, the aligners should be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours per day. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for teens to forget or neglect to wear the trays as often as they need to.
One reason why teens might not wear the aligners often enough is the speech difficulties it may create. It’s normal for the mouth to take a while to adjust to any new orthodontic appliance. So, your teen may develop a slight lisp at first. While this can feel embarrassing, keep in mind that it’s only temporary! The best way to speed up this adjustment period is to practice pronouncing words that trigger the lisp until they power through it.
Another common hindrance is discomfort from new aligners. However, this should subside the longer your teen wears and gets used to the aligners. In the meantime, teach them how to use dental wax and peroxide-based mouthwash to alleviate mouth sores.
Before the new school year begins, spend some time going over these tips with your teenager. Once they’re armed with the knowledge of how to stick to their treatment, they’ll be able to enjoy a straight set of pearly whites before they know it!
About the Author
Dr. Dalia Georgy is a dentist who provides a wide variety of orthodontic services at Glenpool Braces, including Invisalign Teen. Since earning her dental doctorate at the University of Oklahoma, she has undergone a great deal of specialty training in orthodontics. She’s always ready to help families achieve and maintain healthy, straight teeth. For more back-to-school tips for Invisalign in Glenpool, contact Dr. Georgy’s office at 918-201-1414.