August is looming right around the corner, which means it’s time to start preparing for the upcoming school year. Some parents, especially those with little ones, might be jumping with joy now that their children are returning to school. However, if you have an Invisalign teen, you may be wondering how to make sure they stick to treatment when they’re not under your watch. Read on for a few back-to-school tips to help your children stay on track.
Eating at School
Even though there are no dietary limitations during Invisalign treatment, wearing clear aligners can make it challenging to eat certain foods. When starting a new tray cycle, the mouth and teeth tend to be very sore, which can discourage your teen from eating.
If your child is complaining about discomfort, make sure you pack them a lunch with soft foods that are easy on their smile. Yogurt, oatmeal, soup, and smoothies are healthy options that will keep their teeth and bellies happy!
Keeping Up with Oral Hygiene
Everyone knows about the importance of good oral hygiene, but it’s especially important for those wearing Invisalign. Remind your teen that they must brush their teeth after each meal, just before they slip their aligners back in. It helps remove food particles that cause plaque and cavities.
Help your teen stay on top of their dental care by packing them an on-the-go oral hygiene kit. Fill it with travel-sized essentials, such as a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and dental floss. They can throw the kit in their backpack and have it within arms reach so they can easily grab it when needed.
Meeting the Daily Wear Time
For treatment to be successful, your teen must wear the clear aligners for the full recommended time (usually 21 hours daily for teens). That’s 90% of the day, which means it may not be an easy task to get your child to wear the trays as recommended. However, overcoming the common wear-time barriers can encourage your teen to wear them as required. Here are a few tips:
- Work with your teen to overcome temporary speech impediments. When you start any new orthodontic device, it’s normal to develop a slight lisp while your mouth adjusts. While it’s only temporary, it can still be embarrassing for teenagers. Yet, the only way to get rid of this lisp is with practice! Work with your kids at home by telling them to slow down their speech and practice enunciation of words and sounds that trigger the lisp.
- Offer remedies for bad breath and dry mouth. Unfortunately, there is no cure for bad breath and dry mouth. The best thing your teen can do to manage these symptoms is by drinking lots of water, brushing and flossing after each meal, scraping their tongue, and chewing sugar-free mints.
- Teach your teen how to manage pain and discomfort. One of the most common wear-time barriers is discomfort from wearing new aligners. Your teen can alleviate pain by using dental wax and rinsing their mouths with peroxide-based mouthwash to soothe mouth sores.
Before the school year starts, go over these tips and techniques with your teen to help them stay on track with treatment. Now that they know how to stick to the program, they can feel confident and ready to power through their smile journey, even during school!
About the Author
Dr. J. Travis Kobza has helped patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles for over 15 years. He earned his dental degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center then completed a one-year residency program at UNMC Omaha. Dr. Kobza and his team at Kobza Dental offer Invisalign Go, the most advanced system of straightening teeth for adults and teens. For more tips on how to help your teen stay on track with treatment, visit our website or call (402) 245-2243.