The relaxing days of summer are wrapping up, and it’s time to gear up for an exciting new school year!
Your friends here at Just for Grins Orthodontics will help you and your child transition smoothly back to the classroom during Invisalign® First or Invisalign® Teen treatment.
Let’s dive in to the best Invisalign tips to make this school year a breeze:
Getting Started: Invisalign Tips for Beginners
Starting Invisalign treatment can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! You have a whole team supporting you in Montgomery, Millbrook and Wetumpka.
Here are some essential Invisalign tips for beginners that you and your child can review to set them up for success this school year.
- Wear Invisalign through the school day: If you’re wondering, “do I wear my Invisalign at school?” the answer is a resounding YES! To ensure that Invisalign treatment is effective and treatment length doesn’t need to be extended, your child should wear their Invisalign aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Only remove them for eating, drinking (anything other than water), and brushing your teeth.
- Don’t put your aligners on your lunch tray or in a napkin! Carrying your Invisalign case with you (especially during lunch time) is a must. Any time you take your Invisalign trays out, store them securely in their case to avoid accidentally throwing them away in your napkin or on your lunch tray! This happens more often than you may think!
- Make a school care kit: It’s a good idea to carry a small kit with an interdental brush to clean between teeth, and a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste. Ideally, you can stop by the bathroom on your way back from lunch to give your teeth a quick brushing, rinse out your aligners and give them a quick brush, then pop your aligners back in and rock a clean, dazzling smile for the rest of the day!
Tips for Removing Invisalign
Because Invisalign aligners are custom-designed to fit snugly around your teeth, it can take a little technique to remove them.
Here are some helpful tips for removing Invisalign:
- Start from the back: Gently use your fingertips to lift the aligners off the molars first. Once the back is loose, gradually work your way forward.
- Use an aligner hook: An aligner removal tool can make it really easy to hook your aligners and take them out. You can find these on Amazon for under $10!
- Take your time: No need to rush! Carefully removing aligners will help prevent bending or breaking them.
Invisalign Tips for Eating at School
Lunchtime just got a whole lot easier with these Invisalign tips for eating:
- Remove before munching: Always take out aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water to prevent staining and damage.
- Rinse and repeat: After eating, a quick rinse of both your mouth and aligners keeps your smile fresh and ready to go. Ideally, you can brush your teeth too!
- Enjoy all of your favorite foods: Take advantage of all of the unique Invisalign benefits! Indulge in all of your favorite snacks, foods and beverages when you take your aligners out.
Invisalign Cleaning Tips
Clean aligners = happy teeth and faster results! Here are some Invisalign cleaning tips to keep those aligners sparkling:
- Clean them when you clean your teeth: Use a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap to gently clean aligners every morning and night. (Rinse and clean them after eating too!)
- Let them soak: Use Invisalign™ cleaning crystals or a retainer cleaner for a daily soak. This keeps bacteria at bay and keeps your aligners fresh. You can find RetainerBrite on Amazon!
- Step into the future with an ultrasonic cleaner: A high-tech ultrasonic cleaner uses high-frequency 42,000 hz ultrasonic waves to disinfect aligners. Simply add water, pop your aligners, wait 5 minutes, then enjoy clean aligners!
- Keep it cool: Hot water can warp aligners, so always use lukewarm or cool water for cleaning.
Customize your smile with Invisalign Stickables™
Want to add a splash of personality to your Invisalign journey? Order some Invisalign Stickables from the Invisalign shop! These awesome, customizable stickers let you express your style through your smile.
With a variety of colorful shapes, animals, emojis, holiday-themes and more, Stickables can create a look that’s totally your own. Invisalign Stickables are easy to apply and remove, making it fun and simple to change up your style.
Parents, Stickables are a fantastic way to add some excitement to your child’s orthodontic treatment and empower them to show off their creativity at school!
Go back to school smiling!
Beginning the school year with Invisalign is exciting! We hope these Invisalign tips and tricks make your school year a little easier and your child’s smile a lot brighter. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead—study hard, make new friends, and keep smiling!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Not sure whether your child needs orthodontic treatment? Request a complimentary consultation with our highly-experienced children’s orthodontists in Montgomery, Millbrook and Wetumpka!
Get to know Dr. Dunn and Dr. Schreiber, your neighborhood orthodontists with over 3 decades of experience!
