Is Your Teen Ready for Invisalign®?

Invisalign® clear aligners, with their numerous advantages over traditional metal braces, have become a popular choice for both teens and adults. Their near invisibility, comfort, and ease of removal for eating and cleaning make them a compelling option. However, it’s important to remember that Invisalign also requires a significant commitment from the wearer. This commitment, when upheld, can lead to transformative results for your teen’s smile.

While some teens have no problem consistently wearing their clear aligners 20-22 hours every day, others may not be able to stick with this schedule or may be too busy with a hectic social calendar to bother keeping track of their aligners. Ask yourself and your teen a few questions before deciding whether Invisalign® clear aligners are the best choice for your teen’s orthodontic treatment.

Does your teen take good care of their oral hygiene?

If your child is diligent about brushing and flossing, they will take good care of their clear aligners. However, it’s crucial to remember that patients who occasionally skip their dental care are more likely to skip cleaning their aligners, leading to plaque and bacteria buildup. This can result in bad breath and even infection. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to ensure your teen understands the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene, not just for their teeth but also for the health of their aligners.

Will your teen keep track of their Invisalign® aligners?

Invisalign® is comfortable and discreet, but it must be removed every time your teen eats or drinks anything other than water. This means they will have to keep the aligner’s carrying case with them at all times, store it while eating and drinking, and remember to put it back in when they’ve rinsed their mouths after eating. However, Invisalign can easily fit into a teen’s lifestyle. They can remove it for sports, music practice, or social events, and it won’t interfere with their daily activities.

Countless teens have thrown away clear aligners by mistake when they’ve placed them in their case or on a cafeteria tray and forgotten about them, while others never lose track of their Invisalign® aligners. Be sure your child has a system for keeping track of their aligners and case so that they’re always with them, just like their backpack, car keys, or favorite jacket.

Will your child wear their Invisalign® clear aligners diligently?

Invisalign is designed to gently move our child’s teeth into position without wires or brackets, but it only works if worn consistently. Your teen has to be willing to wear it 22 hours a day, every day, with few exceptions. If they consistently “forget” to put them back in or don’t wear them when hanging out with friends, going on a date, or on the weekends, they – and you – will not get the results you’re hoping for. Let them know that not wearing them will result in disappointment for everyone involved.

At RiverWalk Family Dental, we often fit teens with Invisalign® clear aligners with impressive results. The effectiveness of the treatment is based on a combination of our expertise, the innovative design of the clear aligners, and your child’s adherence to wearing the aligners consistently and taking proper care of them. If your teen manages the responsibility with maturity, they will be thrilled with their results, often in just a year, without ever having to endure the “train tracks” his parents had to wear back in the old days!

If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to call RiverWalk Family Dental at Naperville IL Dentist Office Phone Number 630-579-6000 to schedule an appointment for you and your teen to learn more about the advantages of Invisalign®.