The air will begin to cool and the days will become shorter, signaling the beginning of almost every parent’s favorite season: back to school! You may be more concerned than usual if your adolescent child has Invisalign. How can you ensure that they do not fall behind on their care while you are not looking? Here are a few suggestions to assist your teen with Invisalign in remaining on track at school.
School Lunches
Naturally, your teen must bring their Invisalign case to lunch in order to safely store their aligners. But what else do you have up your sleeve? They’ll probably have sore teeth for a few days after switching to a new set of aligners, so bring softer foods with them. Furthermore, if they are having trouble removing their aligners, you can invest in a removal tool such as OrthoKey to make the process easier and safer.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
Your teen must clean their mouth before reinserting their aligners. If they don’t, their aligners may become stained, increasing their chances of developing cavities. Make sure your teen has access to travel-sized toothbrushes, toothpastes, and floss picks so he or she can clean their teeth whenever necessary.
Maintaining Aligner Safety and Security
If your teen has Invisalign, the aligner storage case is arguably the most important item they should have. Allow them to choose and decorate their own case to encourage them to use it. If your teen has a fun storage case, they will be more likely to remove their aligners before eating or playing sports. They will also be less likely to misplace or discard their aligners at lunch!
Combating Cavities and Bad Breath
Throughout the day, plaque and bacteria naturally accumulate in the mouth. Unfortunately, the longer they remain, the more likely they are to disrupt your teen’s oral health! These particles can remain in the mouth for an extended period of time, resulting in bad breath, cavities, and even gum disease. With Invisalign, you can help them keep their smile healthy while also encouraging them to stay hydrated by getting them a new water bottle!
Having Confidence in Aligners
Even though Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible when worn, your teen may experience self-consciousness while wearing them. Assure them that they look fine, and perhaps take photos of them on occasion to show how invisible their aligners are. If they are having difficulty with the slight change in speech patterns caused by Invisalign, spend some time with them after school practicing pronunciation and speaking slower.
Invisalign offers many options, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Maintaining treatment for your adolescent during the school day will prepare them to be a responsible adult with a beautiful smile!
Are you prepared to embark on your Invisalign journey?
Schedule a free Invisalign consultation if you want to learn more about Invisalign. Invisalign is a convenient, natural-looking, and efficient option for anyone looking for a positive change.
