School is underway. New routines have been established. Students are getting used to waking up earlier. But what about your teenager’s oral health care routine? Are they maintaining it in school? When your child wears Invisalign Teen, you want to make sure they’re doing all the right things for their teeth and braces when they’re on their own and you’re not around. Here’s how to make it happen.
1. Review the Rules
Whether your student has been wearing Invisalign Teen for a while or they’re new to the treatment, blending this orthodontic method with school can put a wrench in progress. Kids can be easily tempted by the people and activities around them and may slack on what needs to be done to keep their orthodontics on track. Take time to review the rules:
- Only drink water with Invisalign Teen in
- Remove the trays before lunch and any snacks
- Clean teeth after lunch and before putting the aligners back in place
- Keep the trays on teeth at all times except during lunch
2. Pack a Friendly Lunch
Unlike the teens who have conventional braces, Invisalign Teen wearers have no restrictions when it comes to eating. They will, however, experience the same side effect of any orthodontic patient – tender, sore teeth.
Even though they can dig into crunchy, chewy foods without worrying about the hardware on their teeth, they may not want to because it will cause discomfort. If they’re game for taking a packed lunch to school, make sure it includes foods that will be gentle on their teeth, like yogurt, pasta, soft fruits, or smoothies.
3. Make Sure They Always Have Their Case
One of the worst things anyone can do when they wear Invisalign Teen is stash the trays in the wrong place. During lunchtime, your teen will remove their aligners – but it’s so important for them to put the trays in their Invisalign case. It may seem easy enough to slide the aligners in a pocket or hide them in a napkin for the short meal, but this move can lead to disaster. The all-important Invisalign Teen case is an accessory that protects aligners from damage and being accidentally discarded.
4. Create a Braces Kit
Maintaining good oral hygiene during the school day can be a challenge when you don’t have that much time in between lunch and your next class, but it’s important to prioritize those two minutes. The last thing any teenager wants is to develop a cavity or discolored or smelly trays because they haven’t cleaned their teeth or aligners properly.
Work with your teen to develop a user-friendly braces kit that includes their case, toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss at a minimum. This ensures that they always have the tools to clean their teeth and keep Invisalign Teen in good shape during school hours.
Is Invisalign Teen Right for Your Child?
Think your teen is ready for braces? Wonder if they’re a good candidate for Invisalign Teen? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Soleil Roberts at Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, WA, to learn more about all the orthodontic options available and settle on the right one for your child.