As the new school year begins, the excitement of fresh experiences extends to many aspects of your teenager’s life, including their Invisalign orthodontic treatment journey. Striking the perfect balance between the achievements of this treatment and the demands of school can be a fulfilling challenge. Here are four valuable tips to assist your adolescent in confidently navigating the school year with Invisalign while reaping the maximum benefits of their treatment.
Tip #1: Encourage Good Oral Hygiene
Ensuring exceptional oral hygiene remains a top priority throughout your teenager’s Invisalign treatment. Bacteria and lingering food particles can easily impact the aligner trays and become trapped, elevating the risk of cavities.
Hence, it’s crucial for your teenager to brush their teeth after each meal, even during school lunch. To simplify this regimen, make sure they have access to a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss by equipping them with a convenient dental kit that fits easily into their backpack.
Tip #2: Protect Their Aligners
Invisalign aligners are small, clear, and delicate, making them prone to misplacement or damage. Stress the importance of safeguarding your teenager’s aligners to avoid treatment delays. Encourage them to bring their Invisalign storage case to school for a secure and convenient tray storage solution.
Tip #3: Provide Invisalign-Friendly Lunches
It’s crucial to keep your teenager well-nourished and energized at school, and dealing with Invisalign can present some dietary challenges. While Invisalign doesn’t restrict their diet, they must remove the aligners during meals. To make this easier, consider providing your teenager with softer, easily prepared, and convenient foods for school lunches.
Tip #4: Help Them Follow the 22-Hour Rule
The golden rule with Invisalign is to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day for successful treatment. Even though your teenager might have various reasons for wanting to take them off during class, it’s crucial to motivate them to keep the aligners on as much as possible.
Your teenager can efficiently manage their time by using technology. Apps such as Trayminder or setting a timer during lunch can help them ensure they stick to the 22-hour guideline.
The start of a new school year can be a busy and sometimes overwhelming time, especially when your teenager is adapting to their Invisalign treatment. However, by following these suggestions, you can ensure that their dental care is one less worry for them to deal with!
About the Practice
Salt Run Family Dentistry, led by Dr. Mickey Leth and Dr. Bert Tavary serves patients in St. Augustine and neighboring communities. Their practice is known for providing exceptional patient care, offering a comprehensive range of preventive, restorative, and emergency dental treatments. Drs. Leth, Tavary, and Dunn can also provide valuable guidance to help your teenager manage their treatment as they return to school. For a consultation with Salt Run Family Dentistry or to learn more about their services, you can reach them at (904) 824-3540 or visit their website.