Believe it or not, more than four million people wear braces or Invisalign to correct their smiles.
If your child or teen is in need of a bit of orthodontic work to correct a crooked bite or straighten their smile, they’re not alone. And you have a choice to make: traditional braces or Invisalign for kids.
Though both will help your child get the smile they deserve, Invisalign offers a few unique benefits that traditional braces do not.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. It’s a Low-Maintenance Option
Traditional braces require a lot of care and maintenance throughout the treatment. Your child has to keep them clean with thorough and proper brushing. And brackets can pop off if your child isn’t careful of what they eat.
This means they’ll need to see their orthodontist more frequently for maintenance appointments and tightening sessions.
Invisalign for kids is much easier to take care of. All your child has to do is keep the trays clean and make sure to wear them throughout their treatment.
And because the trays get sent to your house, you don’t have to worry about scheduling those frequent orthodontic appointments. There’s not tightening, no interrupted school days, and no high-maintenance brackets to worry about.
2. You’ll Know If They’re Wearing Them
Many parents like the idea of traditional braces because they never have to worry about whether their kids are wearing them. They’re permanently fixed and must get removed by an orthodontist.
Since Invisalign trays are removable, it’s natural to worry about whether your kids are using the trays when you’re not around. That’s why they have to wear indicators installed in the trays.
If they’re wearing the trays as they’re supposed to, the indicators will fade away. If they’re not, you’ll see a little blue dot on the back of the tray when they remove them.
Should your child not wear their Invisalign as intended, schedule an appointment with their orthodontist. They’ll be able to explain why it’s important and help your teen create a strategy to make sure they’re wearing the trays correctly.
3. Helps Kids and Teens with Confidence
Unfortunately, kids and teens often get teased for having traditional braces. This can make them self-conscious and unwilling to smile.
Worse, it can damage their confidence, making them shy when they’d otherwise be outgoing. And it can make it tough for them to willingly endure their full orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign for children and teens is virtually invisible. Once they get used to speaking with the trays in, most people won’t even notice that they’re wearing anything at all.
This means the adjustment to their orthodontic treatment is easier and faster. And the more confident they feel in their smile, the more you’ll get to see it.
When things are already socially challenging, Invisalign can make getting the orthodontic care your child needs easier and less stressful.
4. They’re Far More Comfortable
Traditional braces use metal brackets that, while not sharp, can cause discomfort even after your child gets used to them.
The brackets sit against the skin of their cheeks, rub against their lips as they talk, and can create sores quickly. Though treatable and manageable, they’re far from comfortable.
Worse, that discomfort continues with every tightening appointment.
Invisalign straightens teeth and corrects orthodontic issues without the use of uncomfortable metal brackets and wires. The smooth plastic sits flush against the skin of the mouth and causes almost no irritation.
Because the trays adjust your child’s bite slowly, making incremental changes every few weeks, the discomfort is minimal.
Even better, your child won’t have to worry about wires poking them or cutting their lips on the metal in their mouths.
5. You Don’t Have to Worry About What They Eat
With traditional braces, sticky foods and fibrous foods are taboo. They get stuck in the brackets and can speed up tooth decay. And with more than 91 percent of the adult population dealing with cavities caused by tooth decay, it’s clearly a major problem.
With Invisalign, teens and kids are able to eat whatever they feel like without fear of hurting their teeth. This means bubble gum, apples, and even corn on the cob are all fair game!
As long as they remove the trays when they’re eating and brush their teeth afterward, their teeth will be in good shape.
You won’t have to worry about food particles getting stuck between the brackets, in the wires, and between the bands.
6. Invisalign for Kids Makes Teeth Cleaning Easier
In order to care for your teeth, you need to floss and brush regularly. This helps stimulate the gums and gets rid of harmful bacteria that can speed up tooth decay.
If braces, brackets, and wires are in the way, it’s incredibly difficult to do as good of a job as you need to. For kids and teens, this can interrupt their otherwise great oral hygiene habits.
Flossing is almost impossible without the use of a special threader or device. And the bristles of the toothbrush often get caught on the brackets, keeping them from getting between the teeth.
With Invisalign, kids and teens are able to brush and floss without changing their methods. And they’re even encouraged to do it throughout the day. It makes putting the trays back in more comfortable.
And the better they can clean their teeth, the fewer oral health issues they’ll have after their treatment is over.
Final Thoughts
If your child or teen needs orthodontic work and you’re trying to choose between traditional braces and Invisalign for kids, consider these benefits. Though every case is unique and some children will benefit more from traditional braces, Invisalign is worth considering.
The best way to find out which option is the right choice for your child is to schedule an appointment. Contact us today for an Invisalign consultation.