Invisalign® for teens is an effective and less painful alternative to traditional braces. There are no restrictions on what you can eat or drink, and the adjustment period is less of a hurdle. Maintaining good dental hygiene is also easier with clear aligners. To reap the benefits of Invisalign, simply wear the aligners as advised, moving to the next set of trays every one to two weeks.
Take a closer look at the benefits of Invisalign for teens below.
One of the main benefits of Invisalign is that it has no food restrictions. Patients can eat whatever they like whenever they like, as long as they remove the aligners beforehand. For example, potato chips, popcorn, candy, licorice, and gum — which are off-limits with braces — are completely fine to eat with Invisalign.
Yes, but make sure to remove the aligners before drinking soda. The acid and sugar in soda are known to cause tooth decay. If a teen patient drinks soda with Invisalign in, those acids and sugars can get stuck under the aligners, damaging tooth enamel.
Invisalign does not get in the way of sports and other activities. However, contact sports can be difficult to play with braces because players must wear mouthguards to protect their teeth. Peop;le can remove Invisalign aligners to use mouthguards and play football, wrestling, and similar sports.
People can also remove aligners to play musical instruments. Playing woodwind and brass instruments can be frustrating; the musician will need to adjust to playing with braces, then back to playing without them when they get them off. There are no interruptions with Invisalign for teens. Simply take the aligners off during practice.
Cleaning and caring for braces takes time. Flossing alone requires threading the floss between the wires. Patients are also advised to clean the brackets and underneath the wires with an interproximal brush, almost like a bottlebrush for the teeth.
Dental hygiene is easy with Invisalign, however. Teens do not have to change their flossing and brushing routine. To clean the aligners, remove them and lightly brush them with water.
Food stuck between the teeth after eating may cause discomfort and tooth decay for patients with Invisalign. Brushing after every meal can ensure that any leftover food debris does not become hardened plaque or get in the way of the aligners. For example, a piece of popcorn stuck between the teeth may become further lodged if aligners are put back in, as the teeth will continue to shift into place.
The social landscape of high school has always been difficult to navigate. Although braces are common, a clear, removable alternative appeals to many teens. Invisalign is only noticeable when the trays must be removed to eat, drink, or participate in extracurricular activities. Chances are, most of their classmates will not notice they have aligners.
Opting for Invisalign can drastically shorten a teen’s orthodontic treatment time. On average, treatment with Invisalign for teens takes between 12 and 18 months. The average for teen braces is between one and three years.
Invisalign's short treatment time can motivate teen patients to wear their trays properly. Putting the treatment into perspective can also help: They could complete their last set of trays before senior year. Not only will they be able to finish their high school career with a healthy smile, but results will also follow them into college and their first job.
To stay on track with the treatment plan, store aligners in their Invisalign case every time they are removed. Placing them on a napkin or other surface increases the chances of losing them. It is all too common for patients to need a replacement aligner after accidentally throwing theirs away, having them stolen by a pet, or crushing and breaking them.
Always keep the previous set of trays on hand in case of an accident. Dental providers typically advise patients to wear their previous trays until replacements come in (about one to two weeks) to keep teeth in alignment. The patient will likely have to make up for any lost time.
For fewer restrictions and an easier adjustment, consider Invisalign clear aligners. Each set of trays is custom-made for the patient, making achieving proper alignment more comfortable than ever before. Book a consultation to learn more.
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