Whether you or your tween or teen is sporting braces or Invisalign, anyone who’s headed back to school with hardware on their teeth has important rules to follow. Here are just some of the highlights, courtesy of some of the alphabet, that help you prioritize good orthodontic care even when school is back in session.
A – Attitude. Anyone embarrassed at the idea of wearing braces or Invisalign in school will quickly learn their attitude makes the difference in how they feel about their appearance and their braces.
B – Braces kit. Always have a braces kit with you in school that contains the oral hygiene items you need to tend to your orthodontics, like orthodontic wax, toothbrush, toothpaste, and flossers. Add lip balm too, a must-have especially at the start of wearing braces.
C – Carrying case. Invisalign Teen must be removed during meals so keep the case in your pocket, locker, or backpack so you can store the trays safely at lunch.
E – Extra elastics. Keep a healthy number of extra elastics with you when this is part of your treatment. Those snug rubber bands are known to fly off in an instant.
I – Invisalign removal tool. Sometimes, Invisalign trays are tough to remove, particularly when the aligners are new. A sanctioned tool that is greenlit by your orthodontist can help with popping the trays out for lunch.
L – Lunch. Brackets and wires require TLC, especially after adjustments when teeth and mouth are sore. Pack a lunch with softer foods that are easy to eat and keep the pressure off.
O – Other students. Tweens and teens going back to school with a new mouthful of braces quickly realize they are in good company. Plenty of their peers are going through the same orthodontic challenges which makes it that much easier to be one of them.
P – Phone. Most teens aren’t without a device, so make the most of your resources and use Notes or Calendar to nudge yourself when it’s time to change Invisalign trays so treatment stays on track.
R – Retainer. Teens who have completed a phase of orthodontic treatment, whether an expander or braces, will have a retainer. Some only need to be worn at night, others need to be worn all day in and out of school.
S – Sports mouthguard. If you play contact sports, a customized sports mouthguard made of high-grade protective silicone is necessary to protect your teeth and braces.
T – Time. You may need to miss some school for adjustments and checkups. Your orthodontist works with your schedule, so school and extracurricular activities are interrupted as little as possible.
Orthodontics by the Letter
The alphabet can go on and on and be repeated many times over with facts and figures and truths about braces and Invisalign. What’s most important to your Lawrenceville Orthodontists is to help each patient feel confident, comfortable, and proud to be sporting braces. You don’t have to fear going back to school and looking different – making changes to straighten your teeth is the road to a beautiful, healthy smile for a lifetime. Schedule a consultation to learn more about braces and Invisalign and what might be right for your child, tween, teen, or yourself.