Heading back to school is always an exciting time—it means different classes, reuniting with old friends, and settling into an exciting new routine! However, if you’re the parent of a teenager with Invisalign, it’s also the perfect time to set your child up for success concerning their orthodontic treatment. It’s not always easy to balance school life with orthodontics, but by following these tips, your teen should be able to keep things on track.
1. An Invisalign Travel Kit Goes a Long Way
Even though going to school technically isn’t traveling, your teen can still benefit from having a small Invisalign kit that contains useful supplies and oral hygiene products. In their backpack or locker, they can store a bag with a travel-sized toothbrush, dental floss, their Invisalign carrying case, extra aligners, or anything else that might be useful. If they have access to everything they could possibly need to care for their teeth and aligners at school, problems are less likely to occur.
2. Choose Lunches and Snacks Wisely
Since aligners need to be removed before eating, it’s best to avoid frequent snacking during the school day. Ensure that your teen is packing a filling lunch with nutritious options that benefit their dental health—this also makes them less likely to feel like they have to snack during the day. It’s also wise to have them avoid particularly sugary or starchy foods, especially if they’re unable to brush their teeth immediately after eating.
3. Encourage Proper Wear Time
Invisalign cannot do its job of straightening teeth and correcting bite problems if the aligners are not worn consistently. Even though your teen might feel inclined to remove them at their leisure, encourage them to stick to the recommended 20 – 22 hours of wear time each day, only removing them for meals and to brush their teeth. If they need to, have them set a reminder on their phone each time they remove their aligners.
4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Food particles trapped between teeth and aligners can lead to cavities, as well as staining of both the teeth and the aligners. Brushing after lunch (or at least rinsing thoroughly with water) helps keep your teen’s smile fresh and healthy all throughout the school day. Though it might be inconvenient for them to maintain their oral hygiene at school, the payoff is worth it!
The school year is busy, but with a little preparation, your teen should be able to easily balance their Invisalign treatment with their everyday life.
About the Practice
With Dr. Alan Carlotto and Dr. Sam Alkhoury leading the way, the team at Simply Orthodontics Holliston has served patients and families in the area for several years, offering a wide range of orthodontic services for all ages, including Invisalign for teens. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 429-7800.