The oldest mini Martin has been wearing Invisalign clear aligners since June of 2017. She’s gone through a lot of things since starting- two broken ankles, sprained ankle, pulled her Achilles tendon, first (and second) school dance, cross country season (cut short by aforementioned injuries), and more. Through it all, she’s been overall pretty good (although we did have a little resistance for about a month, watch for a post soon about what to do when your child isn’t wearing their Invisalign as much as they should) about wearing her clear aligners, and she’s done it all with a confident smile on her face. Obviously the main benefit of having orthodontal treatment is having a beautiful smile, with straighter teeth, but we’ve discovered there are some other, more surprise benefits, to wearing Invisalign. My child is receiving complimentary Invisalign® treatment, but all opinions expressed are my (and her) own.
Surprise Benefits of Invisalign Treatment for Teens
Instruments
There’s no need to relearn how to play your instrument. She’s a flutist, and I know for a lot of her friends who got traditional braces, there was a period of adjustment when those first went on. Our daughter had a seamless transition.
Nail Biting
It’s really quite impossible to bite your fingernails when you are wearing Invisalign clear aligners. Not that long ago my daughter came to me with happy tears, because her fingernails were long enough to paint! She’s been a nail biter/nibbler for several years now and unable to stop.
Snacking
Snacking is something to think twice about. I’ve watched my daughter numerous times start to reach for something (often from boredom, or because it’s just on the table) and pull her hand away with an “I don’t feel like going up to brush my teeth right now if I eat this” comment. She’s definitely making more deliberate choices about what she eats and when.
Responsibility
I’ve noticed that having started with Invisalign, my daughter is taking more responsibility for her own things. She’s got her Invisalign “kits” for school and gymnastics always on the ready- and she’s added travel toothpaste to the family grocery list a few times when she’s noticed she’s running low in those kits. That may seem like a little thing to us as adults, but up until now, she’d run out and panic “Mom I need new toothpaste right now!!”
But I’ve also noticed that when packing for a sleepover or time at a friend’s house, she’s making sure to have her purse or a little bag with her Invisalign case, toothbrush and toothpaste. That’s not me prompting her, she’d forgotten them once or twice and didn’t like having to tuck them in a napkin and wait until she got home to brush her teeth.
Time Commitment
While we are still in the midst of her treatment, it’s been really refreshing to not have orthodontist appointments every 4-6 weeks. I remember when I had braces, every 4 weeks I had an appointment, wires tightened, and I felt like I was there all.the.time. She’s got appointments about every 6-8 weeks at this point. That makes life much easier for us parents who are getting her over to the ortho- it’s 20 minutes in the opposite direction of the kids’ sports activities.
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Fi Ni Neachtain says
It’s great that there are added benefits from Invisalign, apart from lovely straight teeth of course! I’d actually love to have Invisalign braces for myself, I hate my teeth.
Amy h says
My step-daughter went through a period where she would keep “forgetting” to wear her Invisiligns (yet telling you she was when questioned). She realized quickly how it was only hurting her progress.
She did love the fact that it didn’t take much time getting use to playing her instrument in school as well.
Sandy N Vyjay says
There are so many added benefits of Invisalign. The point of staying away from snacking is something so important for teenagers. Great to know about these in addition of course to an enhanced smile.
chubskulit rose says
This is a great alternative for kids who need braces. Luckily, my two children doesn’t need it.
Danik says
Never even heard of this treatment. I hope my child doesnt need braces when she is older, if so, I would look into this.
Carol Cassara says
Nice to see a different alternative to braces! I’ve heard a lot of good things about Invisalign. Definitely something I’d recommend.
Alison Rost says
It’s really nice that she’s very responsible about her treatment, especially when she needs to go out of the house. Sounds like it’s a much better treatment for teens instead of the usual braces. It’s easier to manage and you have few adjustments.
Sara Welch says
I have been hearing nothing but good things about Invasalign lately. It sure beats the heck out of nasty old braces.
Karen Morse says
Sounds like everything’s going great! I’m so glad that people have an option now aside from the traditional braces. Invisalign is a great choice for teens!
Peter says
Invisalign I have heard is the best. For now, none of my kids need such a thing but if they do, I know what to get for them
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
I heard great things about invisalign treatment. I will share this with my friend whose son needs to straighten his teeth.
Tasheena says
Invisalign seems like a wonderful alternative to traditional braces. My son has traditional braces. However, I’m sure he would have preferred the benefits of the Invisalign.
Melissa Chapman says
My son is nearly through with metal braces and he is doing Ok. I wish i had the chance to get him invisalign because it seems like it is so much easier and looks better.
Lisa says
I’ve always wondered what the upkeep was to these. It sounds like they are pretty easy to take care of but also force them to really think about what they need to care for them. That is great.
Amber Myers says
My son has the traditional braces on at the moment and doesn’t mind them. But my daughter would probably prefer invisalign. I’ll have to look into it when she has to start her braces.
candy says
Bet parents are loving this product for their teenagers that need to have braces. The teenagers probably love it that it isn’t the old braces and can’t be seen.
Alli Smith says
I had to wear the traditional braces and I hated having them tightened every 4 weeks. If Invisalign had been available back then, that’s the route I would have gone.
Robin rue says
Thankfully neither of my kids need braces, but if they did I would totally go this route. I wish they had Invisaligns when I was a kid.