Invisalign Teen is a great way to help self-conscious adolescents feel more comfortable about orthodontic treatment. Not only are the aligners clear, but they offer maximum flexibility by allowing for removal when eating, drinking, and cleaning. Also, they do not compromise daily appearances, which can mean a lot to a teenager. But to ensure they remain on track and avoid any delays in treatment, here are four tips to keep developing teeth moving in the right direction.
Explain How to Use Aligner Removal Tool
Many teens might have difficulty removing their trays while at school in preparation for lunch. To help make this process easier, there is a product called the OrthoKey, which is designed to make the removal of clear trays easy. These can be kept inside the individual’s retainer case, which is essential when it comes to protecting aligners while eating. Using this type of device also eliminates the potential for teens to insert their hands into their mouths, which can contain many germs and harmful particles that can easily spread onto the trays.
Ensure Proper Oral Hygiene
Before teens leave their houses in the morning, they need to make sure they’re equipped with the proper oral hygiene tools. This includes a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Because it’s necessary to avoid the transferring of bad bacteria from the mouth onto the aligners, especially after eating, patients should expect to brush and clean their teeth after every meal. Making sure teens have the time and ability to take care of their smiles after lunch will keep their teeth cavity-free.
Help Teens with Their Speech
Initially, it is not uncommon for patients to develop a lisp while wearing Invisalign in Lake Zurich. The mouth must become accustomed to the new aligners in the mouth, so a slight speech impediment can occur. By parents working with their teens in the evening and practicing their words, syllables, and phrases inside the home, it will help to generate more confidence when they’re surrounded by their peers at school.
Make Sure They Have Access to Pain Relief
Although Invisalign is not designed to cause the same level of discomfort as traditional braces, Invisalign can still cause some slight discomfort. When working to shift teeth, it will naturally cause them to be sore for a short time. With over-the-counter medication, it can help to alleviate any pain. It can also be helpful for teens to keep dental wax nearby should any parts of the trays rub against soft oral tissues.
Wearing Invisalign as a teenager is a luxury many patients never experienced. However, by wearing the trays for 20-22 hours each day and adhering to the above-mentioned tips, adolescents can expect beautiful results once treatment is complete.
About Grand Dental – Lake Zurich
At Grand Dental – Lake Zurich, our team is pleased to have an in-house orthodontist with more than 30 years of experience. This ensures our patients have the ability to undergo necessary orthodontic treatment without seeking a referral to an outside specialist. Teens who are interested in Invisalign treatment should visit our website or call (847) 443-3953 to learn more.