Tips for Invisalign-wearing Teens

By: Stephen Price DDS | Thursday, September 15th, 2016 | Invisalign

Thursday, September 15th, 2016

It is often during the summer months when parents – and their kids – have the time to take care of dental business. Summertime is a great time to begin treatment such as Invisalign. If this is the timing your teen has experienced, there may be a few things that you want to address before he or she heads back to school. Invisalign is pretty much the easiest and most convenient method we have today to straighten teeth. However, there are aspects of treatment that could pose a challenge for the average teen.

The primary point of Invisalign that draws patients in is the absence of braces. At most, teens may have small “buttons” strategically placed into certain aligners in order to achieve specific movements. Not only are there no metallic brackets covering teeth, or wires that get in the way of eating, but Invisalign aligners don’t even have to be in the mouth 24/7! More like 22/7. Here is challenge #1. If aligners can be removed, and will be removed at certain times, there is A, the temptation to leave them out for longer stretches and, B, a risk that they could be misplaced. Teens may need to be reminded to watch over their aligners throughout each day. The second challenge of Invisalign treatment for teens relates to oral hygiene.

Tooth Talk
Teeth have no super-powers. They can be damaged, even during Invisalign treatment. The threat is oral bacteria. The way to fight this is by brushing and flossing. Even though brackets and wires are replaced with aligners, hygiene becomes even more important during the teeth-straightening process. Here’s why.

In order for teeth to move into alignment, consisted force must be exerted onto them by the Invisalign aligners. These custom-fit trays fully encase teeth up to the gums, pretty much all day, every day. Beneath the aligners, prime conditions for oral bacteria may be set, especially if teeth are not brushed and flossed sufficiently.

There is a great deal of value in frequent brushing as teeth become straighter with Invisalign. If teeth cannot be brushed at the lunch hour at school, teens are encouraged to rinse aligners and the mouth with water after meals. This minimizes the risk for decay, and also helps to preserve fresh breath.

Learn more about Invisalign for teens from your premier provider in Northern Virginia. Call (703)750-9404.