Back to school time means schedules, sports, homework and all the things families navigate together including their orthodontic appointments. For braces treatment plans it is important to have regular adjustment and checks (usually every 4-8 weeks on average). For Invisalign aligner treatment plans, regular checks are less frequent but equally as important (usually every 8-12 weeks on average). Regular appointments are needed to monitor the movement of teeth towards the treatment goals and complete the next steps or adjustments needed to get there. It is also important to check the care of the braces and the dental health that can be affected by oral appliances.
School is out and summer has begun!. Whether you are continuing with academics and lessons through the summer or starting new adventures, routines can change. Modification to regular schedules can affect braces care, habits, and consistent wear or removable appliances (like Invisalign aligners, rubber bands on braces or retainers). Be sure to keep up with consistent wear and care of your orthodontic treatment and retention plan to keep that smile the best version it can be!
Kids and teens can absolutely play sports while wearing braces or Invisalign. While injuries can happen at any time when playing sports, protecting your mouth and teeth during physical activity can reduce the risk of dental injuries. Hockey, lacrosse, wrestling are some common sports with the regular use of mouth guards. Other sports like basketball, baseball or soccer may or may not involve mouth guards. Talk with your sports leader about recommendations.
Orthodontic assessments at age 7-10 years old, when baby teeth are still present, can be thought of as a proactive evaluation to see if intervention could improve the overall orthodontic outcome and/or experience. Some typical goals of early assessment are attempting to reduce the risk of surgery, extractions, gum recession, or loss of tooth structure in addition to improved function and better overall esthetic results. Treatment options including Invisalign, braces or no treatment and a monitoring plan can be discussed at this visit.
