3 Helpful Back-to-School Tips for Teens with Invisalign

Did your teen start Invisalign over the summer? If so, then you may be a bit nervous about the new semester on the horizon. After all, it’s easy to make sure they are wearing their trays for 21 hours a day or brushing their teeth after each meal at home, but that becomes much harder once they are at school. Don’t worry – you can read on for three back-to-school tips for teens with Invisalign!

Tip #1: Pack a Designated Invisalign Pouch

At home, your child has everything they need to make life with braces easy. Make sure the same can be said while they’re in the classroom! That starts with oral hygiene essentials, like a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste. However, it’s also a good idea to include other helpful tools, like a clear aligner removal tool and chewies. These will help make taking care of their teeth and their aligners easy on-the-go, which increases the chances of them adopting good habits.

Tip #2: Aim for Lunches That Are Soft and Delicious

Whether you pack lunch for your teen, they eat at school, or they go off-campus for lunch, soft foods are the best choice immediately following the transition to a new tray. Basically, the goal is to find foods that are soft, delicious, and nutritious. A few examples include egg bites, oatmeal, soup, and plain yogurt. Of course, your teen is going to eat whatever they want at the end of the day, which is why it’s helpful to share how the choices they make impact their oral health as well as their orthodontic treatment!

Tip #3: Use the Invisalign App to Track Wear Time

Since the trays aren’t bonded to your teen’s teeth, they need to make a conscious effort to wear them for 20+ hours a day. One of the best ways to track their wear time is by having them download the Invisalign app! It’s free and incredibly easy to use too. Basically, they need to just hit a button the moment they take their aligners off and then press it again once their aligners are back on. At the end of the day, you can make sure they are hitting their goal and, if not, come up with a game plan of what needs to change moving forward.

About the Practice

With six convenient locations, our team at Serenity Orthodontics is never far! Whether your teen is getting braces for the first time or previously had Phase 1 Orthodontics, we can use Invisalign clear aligners to improve the look, health, and function of their smile. Plus, we’re here to help in emergency situations too, like if an aligner gets lost or breaks. If you want to learn helpful tips on life with braces or you’d like to schedule an appointment for your teen, visit our website or call our office!