Do you have a teenager at home who feels self-conscious or has been bullied about crooked, gapped, or overcrowded teeth or a bite misalignment? Traditional braces are the tried-and-true solution for straightening smiles, but your child isn’t alone if they prefer to avoid the potential frustration and embarrassment of having bulky metal brackets attached to their teeth.
Thankfully, many dentists offer Invisalign, which is often considered a more discreet and comfortable alternative to standard orthodontics. Continue reading to learn about 3 reasons this option continues to gain popularity among teens!
Perk #1: ‘Invisible’ Trays
If your child is already worried about being judged for their appearance, darkly-colored braces are unlikely to help ease their frayed nerves. Fortunately, Invisalign utilizes transparent plastic trays that are carefully customized to fit snugly over your child’s arches to gently shift their teeth to their ideal places.
This clear material allows their natural enamel to show through, and because their teeth start to shift within just a few weeks, they’ll be showing off an increasingly straighter smile as they progress through their treatment. This boosted confidence can have them flashing a gorgeous smile for photos taken during momentous occasions, like homecoming, prom, and graduation.
Perk #2: No Dietary Restrictions
Patients with braces must adhere to strict dietary restrictions to avoid damaging the brittle brackets and wires attached to their teeth. For instance, most experts recommend avoiding anything too hard, crunchy, or sticky, which can be harmful.
Meanwhile, the removable Invisalign trays are not intended to be worn while eating or drinking anything other than water, as they may be scratched, broken, or warped. Instead, patients are directed to take them out for snacks and meals, so your teen can continue to enjoy all their favorite foods without while maintaining their orthodontics.
Perk #3: Easy to Clean
It’s notoriously challenging to clean around the brackets and wires of braces, and doing so often requires special accessories, like an interproximal brush or an oral irrigator, both of which can reach the metal components more easily than a traditional brush or floss to help clean your teeth and gums.
Invisalign can make it much easier for your teenager to stick with their twice-daily dental hygiene routine because the trays can be easily taken out for brushing and flossing. However, keep in mind that your child will need to gently scrub their aligners to prevent stains and plaque buildup, too.
If you have additional questions about the benefits of Invisalign or whether your teen is a good candidate for this service, you can learn more by contacting your family dentist!
Meet the Author
Dr. J. Travis Kobza has over 15 years of experience helping patients of all ages build and maintain the healthiest, most beautiful versions of their smiles. He earned his dental degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, then completed a General Practice Residency program at UNMC Omaha. Today, he offers a comprehensive menu of services, including Invisalign, using advanced technology to meet your family’s unique needs at one convenient location. You can request an appointment on the website or call (402) 245-2243.