Back-to-School Tips for Your Invisalign Teen

Pools are closing, the days are getting shorter, and shelves at your local store are being stocked with notebooks and pencils. Do you know what that means? The first day of school is right around the corner! While most parents are celebrating their child’s return to the classroom, you may be nervous if you have an Invisalign teen. It’ll be harder for you to ensure your little one is sticking to the program when they aren’t under your watch. Fortunately, we’re here to help! Continue reading for some back-to-school tips to help your teen stay on track with their treatment.

Pack a Soft-Food Lunch

At the start of a new Invisalign tray cycle, your teenager’s mouth and teeth will likely feel sore. That’s mainly because their clear aligners fit the tightest when they’re new. Unfortunately, the mild discomfort can discourage them from eating. If your child is complaining about sore or sensitive teeth, you should pack them a lunch with soft foods that are easy to eat. Some great options include yogurt, oatmeal, soups, and smoothies.

Use an OrthoKey

The challenge of removing the plastic trays can prevent your Invisalign teen from wanting to eat at school. In many cases, removal is most difficult early in the tray cycle when aligners fit the tightest. It can be painful and feel like quite the chore for your child! Luckily, an OrthoKey can save the day. It’s the best aligner removal tool on the market, making removing trays a breeze.

Meet the Recommended Wear-Time

For successful treatment, your Invisalign teen must wear their clear aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day. As you may know, getting your child to wear their trays for 90% of the day is not an easy task. There are many reasons why your teenager may not want to wear their aligners (i.e., self-consciousness, bad breath, dry mouth, discomfort). By helping them overcome these wear-time barriers, they’ll be more inclined to meet the daily recommended goal.  

Store the Aligners in a Safe Pace

Invisalign is an investment, which is why you’ll want to do everything possible to protect your child’s trays. While they’ll get a retainer case from their orthodontist, you should consider investing in a few more so your teen will always have a safe place to store their trays. You can buy a unique one that has a fun design to keep them from getting mixed up with another classmate’s retainer and mouthguard case.

Before the first day of school, review these tips with your Invisalign teen. It’ll help them feel confident and ready to power through their smile journey!

About the Practice

At The Dental Spot of Collegeville, we’re a one-stop shop for your entire family’s oral health needs. Our team will always go above and beyond to ensure patients of all ages receive the quality care they deserve. For more back-to-school tips for your Invisalign teen, visit our website or call (484) 559-6094.