Back To School With A New Smile: Tips To Teach Your Child How To Care For Their New Orthodontic Aligners At School

If your child suffers with a misaligned bite, you most likely understand how it affects the look of their smile. However, misaligned bites can also cause discomfort and difficulty eating and speaking, so visiting an orthodontist to correct their bite is smart. Metal braces may be the traditional option, but orthodontic aligners, also sometimes known as Invisalign, are becoming popular due to their increased comfort and convenience. Considering orthodontic aligners can range in price from $3,500 and $8,000, proper care will be necessary to protect this large investment. Using this guide, you can teach your child how to properly clean and care for their orthodontic aligners when they head back to school.

Storing

Your child will most likely wear their orthodontic aligners during the school day, but they should understand what to do when it is time for a snack or lunch. Your child should avoid eating and drinking while wearing the aligners, since most foods will stick to the acrylic material.

Drinking water is acceptable while wearing the orthodontic aligners, but other beverages may stain the acrylic material. Make sure your child avoids drinking the following beverages while wearing the aligners:

• Fruit Juice/Juice Drinks
• Carbonated Water/Seltzer Water
• Soda
• Coffee
• Tea
• Milk Products

Unfortunately, these beverages will not only stain your aligners; many of these beverages contain acidic properties that can warp and scratch the acrylic material of your aligners.

When your child receives their aligners, the orthodontist should also give them a storage case. Purchasing an additional one is smart, since your child will need to have one at home and one in their backpack or lunch bag.

Make sure your child understands that they should never leave their orthodontic aligners exposed and unprotected while eating. Without storing them in their case, the aligners will be at risk of accumulating dirt, dust, and bacteria.

Add a small package of antibacterial wipes to your child's backpack, as well. Make sure your child uses one of the wipes to clean their hands before removing their orthodontic aligners. In addition, your child should use the wipes to kill bacteria inside the aligner's storage case.

Cleaning

Before eating at school, make sure your child removes the aligners and places them in the storage case. Your child should rinse their aligners off under the sink faucet after removal.

After eating, your child should floss and brush their teeth before brushing and rinsing their aligners.

Allow your child to carry a few disposable toothbrushes in their bags. These miniature toothbrushes are manufactured with toothpaste in them, so your child can brush their teeth and orthodontic aligners without toothpaste or water.

When brushing the aligners, your child should use gentle motions to avoid scratching the acrylic material. Rinse the aligners under the sink faucet after brushing.

Playing

Physical fitness is an imperative part of your child's school day, but certain activities may increase their risk of accidents and injuries to their mouth. Considering an estimated 50 percent of children will have an injury to their teeth during childhood, they should protect their orthodontic aligners while participating in certain activities.

The aligners will remain in place while exercising in class or playing outdoors. However, if your child will be playing football, basketball, wrestling, or other contact sports, they should remove the orthodontic aligners. After storing the aligners in their case, they should wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth during these contact sports.

Orthodontic aligners are an effective option for correcting bites and straightening teeth, but proper cleaning and care is essential. Using these tips, your child will be ready to go back to school with their new orthodontic aligners.