Hey there! If you’ve ever wondered about getting your teeth straightened, you’ve come to the right place. Your teen years are actually the perfect time to work on your smile, and we’re here to walk you through everything in a friendly, easy-to-understand way.
Guess what? About 4 out of 5 teens need some help with straightening their teeth. So if you’re thinking about it, you’re in good company! Continue reading this blog from Dr. Murphy and learn about teeth straightening for teenagers and what you need to know to get that confidence-boosting smile.
Why Your Teen Years Are Perfect for Fixing Your Smile
There are some really good reasons why now is a great time to straighten your teeth:
- Your jaw is still growing, which makes moving teeth easier and faster
- Getting your teeth fixed now helps prevent problems down the road
- A smile you feel good about can make a big difference in how confident you feel
- Taking care of it now means you won’t have to worry about it later in life
We’ve heard from so many teens who say they smile more in photos, speak up more in class, and just feel better about themselves after getting their teeth straightened!
Today’s Amazing Options for Straighter Teeth
Teeth straightening has come a long way! These days, you have some pretty cool choices:
Invisalign Teen: These are clear plastic aligners that fit snugly over your teeth. They’re super hard to notice! The best parts about Invisalign:
- You can take them out when you eat, so no food restrictions
- They come out for brushing and flossing, making cleaning super easy
- You can remove them for special occasions like prom photos
- They’re comfortable with no metal parts to poke your cheeks
Invisalign even comes with blue dots that fade over time so you can track if you’re wearing them enough hours each day. Pretty smart, right?
Modern Braces: Today’s braces are nothing like what your parents might have had:
- They’re smaller and less noticeable
- You can choose colored bands to match your style or school colors
- They’re designed to be more comfortable
- They work faster than older braces did
Most of our teen patients only need to wear their braces for 12-24 months. Before you know it, you’ll be showing off your new smile!
The Real Deal: What to Expect
Let’s be honest about what the experience is really like:
- In the beginning, your mouth might feel a little sore or weird
- After adjustment appointments, your teeth might feel tender for a day or two
- Most teens say they get used to their braces or aligners within a week
- Any minor discomfort is temporary, but your awesome new smile lasts forever!
Keeping Your Teeth Healthy While They’re Getting Straight
Taking care of your teeth during treatment is super important. Here’s the scoop:
Food Friends and Foes:
- With Invisalign: You can eat all your favorite foods! Just pop out the aligners first and brush before putting them back in.
- With braces: Try to avoid super sticky candies, hard foods that could damage your braces, and chewing on things like ice or pencils.
Keeping Everything Clean:
- Brush after meals (a quick brush at school makes a big difference!)
- Clean between your teeth daily (we’ll show you the easiest ways to do this)
- Use a fluoride rinse to help prevent any white spots around braces
For All You Active Teens:
- If you play sports, we can fit you with a special mouthguard
- Musicians can use special wax if braces ever bother your lips while playing
Getting Started Is Super Easy at Southern Maine Orthodontics!
Here’s how your journey to an amazing smile begins:
- Come in with your parents for a friendly chat and check-up
- We’ll take quick, comfortable 3D scans of your teeth
- You’ll get to see a preview of how your smile will look after treatment
- Together, we’ll pick the best option for you
- Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to a brand-new smile!
Many families are pleasantly surprised by how affordable treatment can be. Insurance often helps cover costs, and our flexible payment plans make it easier on your family’s budget.
The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll have the smile you’ve always wanted! Give us a call today, and we’ll answer any questions you or your parents might have.