Do you have a teen who is preparing for the new school year? As they embark on their journey into a new grade, your teenager is starting an exciting chapter with Invisalign. Managing the advantages of Invisalign alongside school responsibilities can be a fulfilling challenge. Read on for four key tips to help your teen confidently balance their school year while making the most of their Invisalign treatment.
Tip #1: Encourage Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining top-notch oral hygiene is essential during your teenager’s Invisalign treatment. Food particles and bacteria can build up on the aligners, heightening the risk of cavities. Encourage your teen to brush their teeth after every meal, including during school breaks.
To simplify this process, equip them with a portable dental kit that includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. This will help them stay on top of their oral care routine throughout the day.
Tip #2: Protect Their Aligners
Invisalign aligners are delicate, clear, and prone to damage, so it’s crucial to handle them with care to prevent disruptions in treatment. Stress the importance of protecting these aligners and remind your teenager to carry their storage case to school. This ensures they have a secure and convenient place to store their aligners when they’re not wearing them.
Tip #3: Provide Invisalign-Friendly Lunches
Ensuring your teenager stays nourished and energized at school is important, especially while using Invisalign. Although the aligners don’t restrict their diet, they must be removed during meals. To make this easier, prepare softer, convenient foods for their school lunches. This approach will help them manage their aligners more easily and maintain a balanced diet throughout the day.
Tip #4: Help Them Follow the 22-Hour Rule
For optimal Invisalign results, it’s crucial to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. Although your teenager may be tempted to remove them during class, encouraging consistent wear is essential. To assist with this, suggest using tools like the Trayminder app or setting a timer during breaks. These strategies can help them monitor their aligner wear time and stay on track with their treatment goals.
With the start of the new school year, things can get busy and stressful, especially for your teenager adapting to Invisalign treatment. By following these tips, you can simplify their dental care routine and help ensure their treatment progresses smoothly.
About the Practice
Michel Dental is committed to delivering outstanding care for children, helping them achieve bright, healthy smiles. We offer a range of treatments designed to enhance both the appearance and health of your child’s teeth. Known for our exceptional patient care, we provide comprehensive preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services. Drs. Leth, Tavary, and Wall are also available to assist with managing your teenager’s Invisalign treatment as they return to school. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit Michel Dental’s website for the contact info for their two offices.