Back-to-School Tips for Teens with Invisalign

With the dawn of the new school year, the excitement of new experiences extends to various aspects of your teenager’s life, including their journey with Invisalign orthodontic treatment. Finding the right balance between the achievements of this treatment and the demands of school can be a rewarding challenge. Here are four valuable tips to help your adolescent confidently navigate the school year with Invisalign while maximizing the benefits of their treatment.

Tip #1: Encourage Good Oral Hygiene

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene continues to be a paramount concern during your teenager’s Invisalign treatment. Bacteria and leftover food particles can readily affect the aligner trays and become trapped, increasing the risk of developing cavities.

Therefore, it’s essential for your teenager to brush their teeth after every meal, including during school lunch. To streamline this routine, ensure their access to a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss by providing them with a compact dental kit that easily fits into their backpack.

Tip #2: Protect Their Aligners

Invisalign aligners, while impressive, are small, clear, and susceptible to misplacement or damage. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of protecting your teenager’s aligners from loss or harm, as this could significantly extend their treatment duration. Encourage them to bring their Invisalign storage case to school, providing a secure and convenient way to store and protect their trays whenever they need to remove them.

Tip #3: Provide Invisalign-Friendly Lunches

Ensuring your teenager stays nourished and energized during the school day is essential, but the presence of Invisalign can introduce specific challenges. While Invisalign aligners don’t impose dietary restrictions, they do need to be removed during meals. In such scenarios, providing your teenager with softer, readily prepared, and easily consumed foods can be advantageous.

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

The key rule for Invisalign is this: your teenager should keep their aligners on for 20 to 22 hours daily to ensure the treatment’s success. While your teen may have several reasons for wanting to remove their aligners during class, it’s essential to encourage them to keep them on.

To manage their time effectively, your teenager can utilize technology. Apps like Trayminder or merely setting a timer during lunch can help ensure they adhere to the 22-hour guideline.

The beginning of a new school year can be a hectic and sometimes overwhelming period, especially when your teenager is adjusting to their Invisalign treatment. However, by following these recommendations, you can make sure that their dental care is one less concern on their plate!

About the Practice

Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills, under the leadership of Drs. Jacob Milner and Cynthia Miller, boasts a team of dedicated and caring oral health professionals committed to maintaining your beautiful smile. Their services encompass a wide range of treatments, including Invisalign for achieving perfectly aligned teeth. Additionally, they can offer valuable advice to help your teenager navigate their treatment while returning to school. If you’re considering a consultation with Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills or need further details on their services, please contact them at (410) 902-4110 or visit their website.