Many adolescents feel self-conscious, but Invisalign Teen is a great way to be more comfortable about orthodontic treatment. The aligners are not only clear, but they also provide maximum flexibility when eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth and gums. Most importantly, the aligners do not affect appearance, which is a big deal to a teenager. However, Invisalign can pose a challenge to some adolescents, so to help them remain on track and avoid delays, keep reading to learn four tips to keep moving in the right direction.
Explain How to Use Aligner Removal Tool
At lunchtime, your teen might have difficulty taking out their trays while at school. To make this process easier, you may want to consider a product called the OrthoKey, which removes the clear trays more easily. It can be safely stored inside their aligner case, which is essential to protect aligners while eating. Using this type of device also reduces the potential number of times teens insert their hands into their mouths, limiting the germs and harmful particles that can easily spread onto the trays.
Ensure Proper Oral Hygiene
Before leaving the house in the morning, your teen needs to be equipped with the proper oral hygiene tools, including a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Part of having Invisalign Teen is the expectation to brush and clean their teeth after every meal before putting the aligners back in. Making sure your teen has enough time and the ability to take care of their teeth and gums after lunch will decrease the risk of cavities during treatment.
Help Teens with Their Speech
At the beginning, it is not uncommon for patients to have a slight lisp while wearing Invisalign. Your teen’s mouth may need a little bit of time to become accustomed to the new aligners. Parents can work with their teens in the evening and practice words, syllables, and phrases at home to give them more confidence when they’re surrounded by their peers.
Make Sure They Have Access to Pain Relief
Although Invisalign clear aligners are designed to cause less discomfort than traditional braces, your teen may feel sore for a few days following the switch to a new set. In order to shift teeth, it will naturally exert force in their mouth. With over-the-counter medication, the pain should easily be managed. You may also want to keep dental wax on hand, just in case any parts of the trays rub against soft oral tissues.
As you prepare your child for the new school year, make sure you don’t forget their Invisalign treatment. By wearing the trays for 20-22 hours every day and following the above-mentioned tips, your adolescent can keep heading in the right direction for a beautifully straight smile.
About Grand Dental – Aurora
At Grand Dental – Aurora, we are proud to have an in-house orthodontist with more than 3 decades of experience. As a result, our patients can undergo necessary orthodontic treatment without getting a referral to an outside specialist. If your teen is interested in Invisalign treatment, you can either visit our website or call 630-898-3610 to learn more or schedule a consultation.