Between a full class schedule, extracurricular activities, and having a social life, teenagers have a lot on their plate! If you have an adolescent who’s undergoing Invisalign treatment, you’re probably wondering if they’ll be able to keep their treatment on track with all they have going on. If you need a little advice on how to help them meet their wear time and keep up with their aligners, you’ve come to the right place! Read on for more.
1. Create a School-Day Routine
A consistent routine can make it easier for your teen to remember their aligners. Encourage them to start and end each day by brushing their teeth and cleaning their aligners according to their orthodontist’s instructions.
Your teenager should also remember to put their aligners back in after meals and snacks. Establishing habits around predictable events, such as breakfast, lunch, and bedtime, can make remembering aligners easier.
Keeping the aligner case in a backpack can also provide a designated place to store them whenever they need to be removed.
2. Pack an Invisalign Care Kit
Your child may spend most of the day away from home, so having basic supplies at school can make maintaining their treatment easier.
Consider putting together a small Invisalign care kit containing a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, aligner case, and a bottle of water. A travel-sized kit can easily fit into a backpack or locker.
Advise your teen to never wrap their aligners in a napkin during lunchtime. It’s too easy for them to accidentally end up in the trash! The case should always be their first choice for storing aligners when they’re not being worn.
3. Talk About Eating at School
Invisalign aligners are generally removed before eating. This can be challenging for teenagers who eat lunch in a busy cafeteria or grab snacks between classes.
Encourage your teen to remove their aligners and place them safely in their case before eating. Afterward, they should brush their teeth when possible and put their aligners back in.
If brushing isn’t practical after every meal, rinsing the mouth with water can be helpful until they can properly brush. Their orthodontic provider can provide specific instructions based on their treatment plan.
4. Keep Track of Appointments and Progress
Going back to school can make it easy to forget or even schedule orthodontic appointments. Add upcoming appointments to the family calendar and plan around school activities whenever possible. Have them set a reminder on their phone just in case.
Teens should also follow their orthodontist’s instructions regarding aligner changes and wear time (20-22 hours per day). Clear aligners only work as planned when they’re worn consistently. Missed appointments and not hitting daily wear time could very possibly results in extended treatment.
One last tip: Avoid turning Invisalign into a source of constant conflict. Instead, encourage your teen to take ownership of their treatment while offering reminders and support when needed.
About the Practice
Salt Run Family Dentistry in St. Augustine is proud to offer Invisalign treatment to both teens and adults! Our qualified dentists, Dr. Mickey Leth and Dr. Nicole Dunn, have years of experience discreetly straightening smiles and can help you achieve fast results with clear aligners. Contact us online for more information or call (904) 824-3540.