As children prepare to go back to school, it may be necessary to consider how they will move toward success while undergoing treatment with Invisalign Teen. Because of the optimal flexibility of these aligners, they make for an easier-to-use solution, but it also requires greater responsibility on behalf of the individual wearing them. To ensure their teeth continue moving in the right direction, here are three tips parents can use to help their teens stay on track with their Invisalign.
Keep Smiles Healthy
Apart from making sure they brush, floss, and rinse every morning and each night before bed, parents should also equip their teenagers with travel-sized dental instruments to take to school. Keeping a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss in their backpack can minimize the chances of harmful particles and bad oral bacteria transferring from their teeth and onto their clear aligners. It is also necessary that teens carry a protective case to safeguard their aligners while eating and drinking during lunchtime.
Practice Speaking to Minimize Lisp
When teenagers first begin treatment with Invisalign, it is common that a minor speech impediment will form. The clear aligners are foreign inside the mouth, causing the tongue, cheeks, lips, and teeth to adjust accordingly. While this may not be a welcome reality for self-conscious teens, parents can help by encouraging them to speak regularly at home. This may include reminding them to slow down while saying certain words or syllables as well as practicing reading aloud in front of the mirror. This allows them to see how their mouth forms when talking so that they can adjust as needed.
In no time, they will begin to speak normally without the worry of a lisp.
Equip Them With Pain Reliever
Invisalign aligners do not cause the same type of discomfort as traditional braces because there is no forceful wire tightening. However, they can cause some slight soreness initially and when switching to a new set in the series. This may cause teens to try and forgo wearing their aligners, but if they want to stay on track with treatment, they will need to abide by the 20-22-hour rule. To combat the discomfort, though, parents can provide their teens with an over-the-counter pain reliever, which is to be taken according to the recommended dosage on the label.
When meeting with a dentist or orthodontist to discuss Invisalign in Lockport, it’s important that teens understand the commitment that is required to achieve long-lasting results. By keeping these tips in mind, individuals can expect greater success at home and at school.
About Grand Dental – Lockport
At Grand Dental – Lockport, our team of professionals is here to provide exceptional orthodontic care to patients needing help to achieve straighter smiles. Offering Invisalign clear aligners as an alternative to traditional braces, this unique system can address minor issues of overcrowding, gaps, and bite misalignment. If your teenager is looking for a more subtle approach to orthodontic treatment, visit our website or call (815) 836-0001 to learn how we can help.