Back-to-School Tips for Teens with Invisalign

As the new school year commences, the enthusiasm for fresh experiences encompasses different facets of your teenager’s life, encompassing their orthodontic voyage with Invisalign. Balancing the triumph of this treatment with the demands of school can present a gratifying challenge. Here are four valuable tips and suggestions to assist your adolescent in confidently maneuvering through the school year with Invisalign and optimizing their treatment journey.

Tip #1: Encourage Good Oral Hygiene

Sustaining impeccable oral hygiene remains a top priority throughout your teenager’s Invisalign treatment. Bacteria and food remnants can easily tarnish the aligner trays and become trapped, heightening the potential for cavities.

Hence, it’s crucial for your teen to brush their teeth following every meal, even during school lunch. To simplify this process, guarantee their accessibility to a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss by equipping them with a compact dental kit that conveniently fits inside their backpack.

Tip #2: Protect Their Aligners

Invisalign aligners, although remarkable, are diminutive, transparent, and prone to being misplaced or damaged. It’s of utmost importance to safeguard your teenager’s aligners from loss or harm, as this could substantially prolong their treatment timeline. Encourage them to carry their Invisalign storage case to school, allowing them to securely house and protect their trays whenever they need to take them out.

Tip #3: Provide Invisalign-Friendly Lunches

Ensuring your teenager remains nourished and energized throughout the school day is crucial, but the presence of Invisalign can introduce certain challenges. Although Invisalign aligners don’t come with dietary restrictions, they must be taken out during meals.

This requirement creates a restricted timeframe for eating, which can become more complicated if your teen experiences any discomfort when transitioning to a new set of trays. On such occasions, it could be advantageous to pack softer, easily prepared, and quick-to-consume foods for your teenager.

Tip #4: Help Them Follow the 22-Hour Rule

Here’s the essential rule for Invisalign: your teenager should wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day to ensure the treatment’s effectiveness. While your teen might have various reasons for not wanting to wear their aligners during class, it’s crucial to motivate them to do so.

They can employ technology to help manage their time. Apps like Trayminder or simply setting a timer during lunch can assist in ensuring compliance with the 22-hour guideline.

The start of a new school year can be a busy and potentially stressful time, particularly if your teenager is adapting to their Invisalign treatment. Nonetheless, by adhering to these suggestions, you can ensure that their dental care remains one less thing to worry about!

About the Practice

The Castleberry Center, under the leadership of Dr. Darrick Castleberry, boasts a highly skilled team of oral health professionals. They offer a wide range of services, including Invisalign for achieving beautifully aligned teeth. Furthermore, they are well-equipped to provide valuable guidance to ensure your teenager stays on track with their treatment when returning to school. If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation with The Castleberry Center or have any inquiries regarding Invisalign for your teenager, please get in touch with their Houston-based office at (281) 320-9600 or visit their website.