Teenagers are already a fairly self-conscious bunch without orthodontic treatment thrown into the mix. Invisalign clear aligners makes dental realignment far less conspicuous, but your highschooler might need some nudging to stay on top of maintenance in front of their academic peers. Here are some tips that can help encourage them to power through their Invisalign treatment.
Avoid A Hangry Student
Anyone would get cranky after skipping out on an important meal like lunch. It’s hard to be motivated to stick to routines when you’re irritated and hungry! Even if your teen is the “I could eat a horse!” type, oral soreness from a new tray set could tempt them to pass up a midday meal. Here’s three things you can pack to make their experience a little easier:
- Soft, squishy foods
- Pain relievers
- An aligner removal tool
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple solution!
Encourage Daily Aligner Hygiene with Useful Tools
Brushing and flossing between meals and regularly cleaning their Invisalign is probably the last thing your teenager wants to do on a normal day, let alone a school day! However, if they don’t keep both their teeth and their aligners clean, their trays will become not-so-invisible. These useful tools can make oral hygiene quick and easy for your laid-back highschooler:
- Floss picks
- A travel-sized toothbrush and toothbrush container
- An on-the-go-friendly tube of toothpaste
- Invisalign cleaning crystals
If all else fails, some gradual tray staining might make them think twice about neglecting their next set.
Remember that Wear Time Equals Success
Theoretically, your teen wants to reap the aesthetic and oral benefits of straighter teeth, which means wearing their Invisalign as instructed. Bad breath, dry mouth, and difficulties speaking could throw a wrench into this idea for a self-conscious highschooler, though. Here’s what you can do if they’re not wearing their aligners for as long as they should:
- Purchase them a breath-spray with a scent they like
- Have them take plenty of water bottles to school
- Reassure them that speech difficulties are temporary and will fade as they adjust
- Help them practice speaking slowly and enunciating in the meantime
Remember, if your teenager doesn’t meet the 21 – 22 hour wear time every day, they’ll end up prolonging their orthodontic treatment. Knowing this can give them some extra motivation, too!
Properly maintaining their Invisalign clear aligners is in your teenager’s best interest. At that age, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget about long-term goals like a straighter smile. These tips can help you give them a gentle reminder. When they see their teeth in the mirror after all is said and done, they’ll be happy they stuck to their Invisalign treatment!
About the Practice
At Willow Bend Orthodontics of Plano, we specialize in straightening teeth! All three of our orthodontists have received advanced training in correcting crooked pearly whites. Invisalign clear aligners are an excellent alignment tool for teenagers, but if you need some help encouraging your loved one to keep up with their treatment, give us a call. We’ll help both of you find a solution that works! To contact our office, call 972-732-1400.