75% of children could benefit from having straighter teeth. But how can children achieve straighter teeth?
Invisible aligners from Invisalign may work in your child’s favor and help them get a beautiful smile. But what are clear aligners and how does Invisalign for kids work?
If you want to give your child a healthier smile, read more about how clear aligners for kids might be a great choice.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a dental treatment designed to shift teeth and address other dental problems. The clear plastic aligners use gentle pressure to maneuver crooked teeth and encourage jaw alignment.
When you begin your Invisalign treatment, you’ll receive sets of aligners to wear over the course of several weeks or months. Each set takes you into the next part of your treatment, so over time, your teeth move into a straighter position. You’ll receive a new set of aligners at your next appointment and the orthodontist checks to make sure the treatment is progressing on schedule.
The Benefits of Invisible Aligners
If you’re wondering about the benefits of clear aligners, you should know that invisible aligners for kids have many benefits. Here are some important benefits you should consider.
Comfortable
Overall, Invisalign aligners should be comfortable to wear. They should not press into the gums or rub up against the cheeks and cause irritation. Putting them in and taking them out should be easy.
There may be some mild discomfort when switching to each new set, yet it should subside after a few days. You can take over-the-counter medication to manage the discomfort if the pain bothers you.
Clear
The clear aligners offer some transparency. Some children and teenagers may not want other people to notice their dental treatment. Because of this, they may have greater confidence in themselves throughout their treatment plan.
Removable
Unlike metal braces, which bond to the teeth, you can remove Invisalign aligners. This makes eating and drinking easier and more enjoyable during treatment. However, you should only remove them for eating, drinking, and some activities like contact sports.
Promotes Responsibility
If you choose Invisalign for your child, they will need to wear their aligners for 22-24 hours or the treatment will not work. They’ll also need to rinse and clean their aligners once a day to remove bacteria, and be diligent about putting the aligners in the case when they’re not wearing them.
Brushing their teeth after every meal is also necessary to eliminate potential bacteria build-up in the aligners.
While your child may need some encouragement and reminders at first, Invisalign helps them develop responsibility when it comes to their oral health.
Improved Oral Health
Brushing and flossing habits matter greatly during Invisalign treatment. Because the aligners are removable, your child can have healthier teeth and gums. They don’t have to worry about food getting stuck in brackets or wires and damaging their teeth.
Playing Sports
If you have a child who is actively involved in sports, Invisalign might be a better choice. With metal braces, there’s a greater risk of tooth injury or damaging a bracket during activity. Invisalign covers and protects the teeth, which would result in decreased risk of tooth accidents.
If your child needs to wear a mouthguard, they can place their aligners in the case for protection.
Less Treatment Time
Generally speaking, the timeframe for orthodontic work is about two years depending on the case. With Invisalign, that time could be less. Some children only need a year of treatment, while others need a little more.
When you decide to move forward with Invisalign, your orthodontist scans your mouth to create the aligners and evaluates your case. Once they’re able to see your mouth more clearly, they can give you an estimate of how long they expect your treatment to take.
Complex Cases
Metal braces work well for complicated dental cases, but so do clear aligners. In fact, for some children, Invisalign may be a better choice to reduce crowding, tooth gaps, and more. While you should talk to your orthodontist about clear aligners for kids, there’s a good chance that your child could be a great candidate.
No Food Restrictions
With metal braces, you need to pay careful attention to the foods you eat because they could break a bracket or a wire. Not so with Invisalign! Removable aligners mean you don’t have any food restrictions.
However, you’ll still want to encourage your child to eat a healthy diet, especially foods that promote oral health. If your child does eat sugar, they need to brush their teeth before inserting their aligners.
Fewer Orthodontist Visits
Switching out your aligners frequently, means you don’t have to go to the orthodontist every few weeks for adjustments. Depending on your treatment, your next visit may not be for a few months. This means more time for hobbies, family time, and vacations.
Wearing A Retainer
Once your teeth are straight, you’ll need to wear a retainer. A retainer keeps your teeth in place so they don’t shift back into their previous position. The retainer should be comfortable and you only need to wear it a couple of times a week, or at night, depending on what your orthodontist prescribes.
Are Invisible Aligners Right For Your Family?
Invisible aligners provide your child with a great opportunity to straighten their teeth and promote a confident, healthy smile. When you choose Invisalign, your child reaps the benefits of responsibility and gains a great smile in the process.
Are you curious if Invisalign is right for your child? We specialize in Invisalign aligners and can answer any questions you have! Contact us today for a consultation.