Undergoing orthodontic treatment, like with Invisalign Teen, can be a journey. As a parent, it’s up to you to help your child see it through to the end, even when it may feel inconvenient or they want to give up. You may be the only person that can inspire enough confidence in them to allow them to reach the finish line, especially if you keep reminding them that the prize is a straighter, healthier smile! Read on to learn three tips to help encourage your child to make it to the end of their Invisalign Teen treatment.
Help Them Keep Their Eye on the Prize
In a long-term treatment process like orthodontics, it can be easy to let small inconveniences stand in the way of remembering just why you’re doing it. In the case of your teenager, this can be amplified due to their development and where they’re at in their life.
They’re out making friends, participating in hobbies like band or sports, and truly in their peak developmental period of their life. Because of this, it will be important that you help remind them just why they’re undergoing Invisalign, whether that’s for a more confident smile, to prevent future dental problems by balancing their bite, or all of the above!
Establish a Routine
At first, your teen may feel overwhelmed by the changes to their routine they will need to make after starting Invisalign treatment. What’s the best time to clean their aligners at school? How can they tell if they’re wearing their trays for 20 hours a day? These are the small (but, really big!) details you can help them plan and set timers for in their phone to make the transition to life with Invisalign as smooth as possible.
Make It Easy to Keep Track of Their Trays
One of the most common reasons why Invisalign Teen cases get set back is because patients lost their aligners! Whether that’s from accidentally throwing them away with their trash at lunch or losing them at a sleepover, these mishaps can set back their timeline by up to several weeks in some cases. You can help prevent lost trays by keeping Invisalign cases in every room and every bag to ensure that your teenager always has a safe place to store them.
With a few helpful nudges in the right direction, you can help your child start and end their Invisalign treatment on the right foot! While there may be some bumps along the way, reminding them that it will all be worth it in the end is the best way to help them reach the finish line!
About the Author
Dr. Arrechea has over two decades of experience in the dental field and a true passion for helping her patients achieve their best and healthiest smiles. Providing first-class orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, she’s able to see teenagers and adults alike through a minimal-impact, smile-straightening process. To learn whether you or your child is a good candidate, visit Daily Smiles Dental Dallas’ website or call 214-233-9460.