8 Signs Your Teen May Need Invisalign

As teenagers navigate the journey into adulthood, their dental health plays a vital role in their well-being. The transition to adolescence can be overwhelming, especially when your teenager is dealing with dental issues, such as cavities or fluorosis. While braces are the go-to dental treatment for many, a lot of teenagers—four million of them worldwide, to be exact—are using Invisalign treatment to overcome crooked and misaligned teeth. This treatment makes sure they enter adulthood with a confident, mesmerizing smile.

Are you unsure if Invisalign is the right dental treatment for your child? Well, here are some telltale signs that your teen may need Invisalign and is ready to undergo this procedure. 

Your teen has moderate dental problems

This transformative orthodontic treatment uses custom-made non-metal braces to straighten crooked teeth and pull them back in position gradually. Invisalign doesn’t treat severe dental issues. If you have severe overbite or underbite or any other problem for which the jawbone needs to be shifted, metal braces may be your only option. However, your teen can get Invisalign if they suffer from:

• Crossbite
• Crowded teeth
• Large gaps between teeth
• Mild overbite or underbite
• Mildly crooked or protruding teeth

However, the cost of having Invisalign often worries people, especially the folks living in Cookeville, TN, where the average household income is around $43,000! An average Cookeville spends over $5,200 a year on healthcare, and Invisalign alone can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000! That’s why you should look for affordable Invisalign treatment in Cookeville, TN, for your teen. You can schedule a complimentary exam with the best orthodontists in your area for your teenager online.

Cookeville orthodontists offer different payment options and may even create a custom payment plan just for you. And that’s how your teen can regain confidence in their smile as they grow up.

Your teen has jaw pain or any discomfort

Invisalign can also tackle other oral health issues, including mouth breaking and jaw discomfort. Many teenagers experiencing frequent, intense jaw pain may have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues or disorders of jaw muscles. Some telltale signs of this condition include jaw locking, jaw stiffness, facial or neck pain, and painful popping in jaw joints. It’s much more common among adolescents, and it’s estimated that about 6% to 68% of youngsters suffer from TMJ.

Generally speaking, if your teen’s TMJ is caused by crooked or crowded teeth, then Invisalign may be a viable treatment option for fixing the temporomandibular joint.

Your teen has difficulty chewing or speaking

Crooked and misaligned teeth can make it difficult to chew your food properly. So, teenagers can suffer from indigestion and even malnutrition because of their oral health issues. Similarly, dental issues may cause speech difficulties, such as displacing your tongue or creating a whistling noise when speaking. Teenagers experiencing speech impediments develop self-esteem issues as they grow up.

You can try to overcome these speech issues with Invisalign and overcome lisping or other problems. Invisalign will remove the communication barriers your teen may face in school or college.

Your teen is mindful of their oral hygiene

If your teenager has good oral health, such as no cavities or dental diseases, they can wear aligners.

Good oral hygiene is necessary for this treatment to work; otherwise, a new infection may take place in their mouths and render the whole Invisalign procedure moot. So, make sure your teen knows some of the basics of maintaining good oral hygiene, i.e., brushing twice a day and flossing before bed. These simple dental hygiene tips won’t just improve their overall oral well-being but also make this treatment effective. 

Your teen has all their permanent teeth

If your teen has permanent teeth, they’re a great candidate for Invisalign treatment because their jaw has stopped growing. An orthodontist will examine your child’s teeth and determine if it’s the right age for them to undergo this procedure. Generally, Cookeville dentists will ask that you wait until your teen is in high school to make them wear Invisalign aligners. That’s a good age for them to remedy their dental health concerns via non-metal braces. 

Your teen is self-conscious about looks

Expressing self-consciousness about their smile or avoiding smiling due to dental concerns can indicate that your teen needs Invisalign. Data shows that 1 in 4 U.S. adults have untreated cavities, and they’re self-conscious about the way their teeth look when they smile. Similarly, more than 50% of Americans hate the way their smile looks in the photos. So, you have a chance to prevent your teen from growing up hating their smile. Invisalign can help them regain their confidence in their grin.

 If your teen doesn’t like to wear braces as they’re too noticeable, Invisalign aligners are crystal clear. They look great and won’t make your teen self-conscious about the braces either.

Your teen has lots of free time on their hands

Treating dental health issues with Invisalign can take 12 to 18 months, in general. Your teen will begin treatment by visiting their nearest orthodontist twice or thrice. After that, they will have to revisit the office every 4 to 6 weeks. The orthodontist will give your teen a few Invisalign aligners, and then they change them after every week. So, this whole process can be time-consuming. It’s not something you can undertake for one summer. Hence, your teen must have ample time on their hands for Invisalign.

Busy teens with too many extracurricular activities or part-time jobs may not be suitable candidates.

Your teen is responsible and not careless

Lastly, make sure your teenager is mature, responsible, and can take care of their aligners. Your teen must remember small details, refrain from misplacing their dental health kit, and is committed to going through the process for its long-term benefits. Irresponsible teenagers may slack off and not properly follow the guidelines necessary for straightening their teeth. Your teen should remember to:

• Keep aligners in their case
• Clean their aligners with a toothbrush
• Rinse their aligners after removing them
• Remove aligners when eating and sleeping
• Not using bleach to clean their dental aligners

Conclusion

If your teenager doesn’t have any severe dental health issues, has ample time on their hands to go through this procedure, and can take care of their oral hygiene for the next few months, then Invisalign could be the solution for their dental journey. So, talk to your nearest orthodontist now!