Back to School with Braces or Invisalign? Top Tips!

The relaxing days of summer have come to an end, and it’s time to gear up for an exciting new school year!

Your friends here at Matsumoto Orthodontics & Periodontics will help you and your child transition smoothly back to the classroom during Invisalign® First, Invisalign® Teen or teen braces treatment.  

Let’s dive into the best braces tips and Invisalign® tips to make this school year a breeze:

Getting Started: Braces and Invisalign Tips for Beginners

Starting treatment with braces or Invisalign can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! You’ll have a whole team supporting you in Wilmington.

Here are some essential braces tips for the first day and Invisalign tips that you and your child can review to set them up for success this school year:

1. Wear clear aligners through the school day: If you’re wondering, “do I wear my Invisalign at school?” the answer is a resounding YES! To ensure that clear aligner treatment is effective and treatment length doesn’t need to be extended, your child should wear their Invisalign for 20 to 22 hours a day. Only remove them for eating, drinking (anything other than water), and brushing your teeth.
2. Protect your braces during meals and school time: For kids wearing braces, it’s important to avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods that can damage the brackets or wires. Make sure to pack braces-friendly snacks like soft fruits, cheese, and yogurt.
3. Don’t put your aligners on your lunch tray or in a napkin! Carrying your Invisalign case with you (especially during lunchtime) is a must. Any time you take your aligners or removable retainers out, store them securely in their case to avoid accidentally throwing them away in your napkin or on your lunch tray! This happens more often than you may think!
4. Make a school care kit: It’s a good idea to carry a small kit with an interdental brush to clean between teeth, a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, orthodontic wax for braces, and a mirror. Ideally, you can stop by the bathroom on your way back from lunch to give your teeth a quick brushing, rinse out your aligners or clean around your braces, then pop them back in or head back to class rockin’ a fresh, dazzling smile!

Tips for Removing Invisalign and Caring for Braces

Because clear aligners are custom-designed to fit snugly around your teeth, it can take a little technique to remove them.

Here are some helpful tips for removing Invisalign:

• Start from the back: Gently use your fingernails to lift the aligners off the molars first. Once the back is loose, gradually work your way forward.
• Use an aligner hook: An aligner removal tool can make it really easy to hook your aligners and take them out. You can find these on Amazon for under $10!
• Take your time: No need to rush! Carefully removing aligners will help prevent bending or breaking them.
  

Braces require careful handling too! Here are top tips for braces care at school:

1. Use orthodontic wax: If your braces are causing discomfort by rubbing against your cheeks or gums, apply orthodontic wax to the brackets or wires to create a smooth layer of protection between your brackets and cheeks.
2. Or try Orajel™ if that’s better suited for you! Orajel is a numbing solution that you can apply to any areas around your mouth that may be rubbing against your braces. Simply wash your hands, squeeze a little Orajel on to your finger, then rub it on any tender areas.

Braces and Invisalign Tips for Eating at School

Lunchtime just got a whole lot easier with these braces tips and tricks, and Invisalign tips for eating:

1. Remove before munching: For those with clear aligners, always take out aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water to prevent staining and damage. For those with braces, stick to braces-friendly foods and avoid crunchy or sticky snacks.
2. Rinse and repeat: After eating, a quick rinse of both your mouth and aligners or a gentle brushing around your braces keeps your smile fresh and ready to go. Ideally, you can brush your teeth too!

Braces and Invisalign Cleaning Tips

Clean aligners and well-maintained braces = happy teeth and faster results! Here are some cleaning tips to keep those aligners sparkling and braces in top shape:

• Clean your appliances when you clean your teeth: Whether it’s your clear aligners or your braces, be sure to brush your teeth and clean your orthodontic appliances every morning and night. For Invisalign, use a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap. Avoid using toothpaste on aligners, as the abrasives in the toothpaste can dull the shine and polish of the aligners.  For braces, focus on brushing gently yet thoroughly around the brackets and wires, especially above/below the braces near the gums.
• Let clear aligners soak: With clear aligners, you can use  Invisalign™ cleaning crystals or a retainer/denture cleaner for a daily soak. This keeps bacteria at bay and keeps your aligners fresh. You can find RetainerBrite on Amazon! For braces wearers, regular brushing and flossing are key, and using an antiseptic mouthwash can help maintain oral hygiene.
• Keep it cool: Hot water can warp aligners, so always use lukewarm or cool water for cleaning. For braces, be sure to brush gently around the brackets to avoid damage.

Customize Your Smile with Invisalign Stickables™ or Braces Colors

Want to add a splash of personality to your orthodontic journey? Check out Invisalign Stickables™, or customize your braces with colorful elastics! Express your style through your smile.

• Invisalign Stickables: With a variety of colorful shapes, animals, emojis, holiday-themes, and more, these Invisalign stickers can create a look that’s totally your own. They’re easy to apply and remove, making it fun and simple to change up your style whenever you want.
• Custom Braces Colors: For those with braces, choosing different colored elastics can be a fun way to showcase your personality. Whether you want to match your school colors, celebrate a holiday, or just pick your favorite shades, colorful braces can make orthodontic treatment more exciting. You’ll get to choose new braces colors each time your orthodontist replaces your wires. 

Give your smile A+ care!

Beginning the school year with braces or clear aligners is exciting! We hope these braces tips and tricks and Invisalign tips make your school year a little easier and your child’s smile a lot brighter. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead—study hard, make new friends, and keep smiling!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. Not sure whether your child needs orthodontic treatment? Request a complimentary consultation with Dr. Matsumoto, our highly-experienced, board-certified children’s orthodontist in Porters Neck, Wilmington, NC!