While you’re working on checking things off your child’s back-to-school list, have you considered adding Invisalign aligners? Childhood is the best time to take care of your child’s teeth alignment in order to help set them up for a lifetime of great oral health, not to mention a stunning smile. It couldn’t be easier to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Mike Upton at Riverview Orthodontics, so if you are in the Tuscaloosa or Demopolis areas, give us a call!
If you are still considering your options, keep reading to learn all about going back to school with clear aligners and how they can be the perfect fit for your child or teen!
What Are Clear Aligners, Exactly?
Invisalign, also called clear aligners, is a modern orthodontic treatment. Using the most up-to-date technology, Invisalign will include dental scans to create a series of retainers that will gradually shift their child’s teeth into optimal alignment. They are made of a firm but flexible clear plastic that is worn over the top and bottom rows of teeth and is virtually invisible when they are on.
Compared to older orthodontic treatments, like braces, Invisalign is a great fit for many people today who want a convenient and cosmetically appealing way to have a healthy smile. Unlike braces, Invisalign can be easily removed for eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth to make care and maintenance a breeze. Depending on your child’s unique needs, they may be eligible for Invisalign, which is another great reason to connect with one of our offices soon!
How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?
While undergoing Invisalign treatment, your child will have regular appointments at Riverview Orthodontics. During each visit, which typically happens about every 10 weeks or so, Dr. Mike Upton will evaluate their progress. Then, you will receive the next set of retainers that your child will wear until the next visit. Following Dr. Mike Upton’s recommendation, you will switch to the next set of retainers every week or two. As the weeks progress, your child’s teeth will be slowly but effectively shifting into their proper alignment and done in a way that is safe for the muscles, bones, and gums as well!
One really important aspect of clear aligners is patient compliance. This means that it’s essential that your child wear their retainers as often as recommended and take great care of them in the process. We understand that this can be tough, especially with younger kids. But with a little training and support from our team, you and your child will be set up for success!
Maintain Your Aligners
Here are a few of our top tips and tricks for a successful treatment with Invisalign!
#1. Wear as Instructed
For an efficient and successful treatment, your child should be wearing their retainers for at least 22 hours a day. That means all the time except when eating, drinking, or brushing their teeth. This might seem like a lot at first, but it’s actually really easy to follow once you’re used to it. Keeping their retainers in their mouth will actually keep them safer and clean, avoiding the chance of losing them, and ensure they complete treatment as soon as possible!
#2. Keep Them Clean
Ensuring that your child’s retainers are cleaned daily is the best practice for oral hygiene with aligners. Brushing at least once per day is enough to rid the retainers of stuck-on food particles, saliva, and bacteria growing inside. We recommend rinsing your retainers whenever you take them out to avoid saliva drying on them. And when brushing teeth, just scrub the retainers with a separate toothbrush and a gentle cleanser like hand soap. This will kill bacteria and wipe away particles. Rinse well, and your retainers are ready to be worn again!
#3. Floss and Brush Daily
Don’t forget to keep those teeth clean while we’re at it! Daily brushing and flossing are important no matter what phase of life you are in, but for people wearing retainers, it is essential. Brushing teeth removes the food particles and plaque-growing bacteria that are in the mouth. That way, while the retainers are on, there are fewer chances of tooth decay and other problems occurring. Brush twice daily in the morning and evening, and floss at least once!
#4. Don’t Lose Them!
This might prove to be difficult for some families, depending on the maturity and temperament of your child. And if a retainer is lost, don’t fret. Save and wear the most recent set of retainers until you can make it to our office for a new pair. Obviously, we want to save you time and money on replacing retainers, so we recommend having an extra retainer case for your child to take with them in their school bag. This way, they can immediately put their retainers in the case every time they take them out to avoid losing them!
#5. Know When to Remove Them
While thinking about how much you need to wear your retainers, it’s also important to know when to remove them. Taking retainers out while chewing anything is essential to avoid wear and distortion of the plastic. It’s also necessary to remove them when drinking anything aside from water since liquids can get in and underneath the retainers and stain the plastic or coat the teeth. Again, have your child keep their case nearby to slip their retainer into any time they are enjoying a meal, snack, or drink!
Trust Our Team With Your Smile!
Now that you know the basics, you are ready to take the first step toward a healthy smile for you or your child. Contact Riverview Orthodontics at either of our convenient offices in Tuscaloosa or Demopolis to set up your free consultation appointment with Dr. Mike Upton. We can’t wait to see you and get started on treatment for your new smile!