Vacations, camp, pool parties—your smile will take center stage in the coming months thanks to tagged photos and shared stories! If your teeth aren’t picture-perfect, you may be feeling a little uncomfortable about them being front and center this summer. SCO can help! If you’re ready to explore orthodontic treatment, this is one of the best times of the year to get started with Invisalign clear aligners. Let’s take a look at why summer is the season for new smiles!
Extra flexibility in your schedule
One of the best things about summer is the relaxed schedule it comes with. There are no chaotic mornings or after-school activities, and the longer days leave you with extra hours after work to enjoy doing what you love. That additional flexibility makes this the perfect time of year to schedule all kinds of appointments you’ve been putting off, including orthodontic ones!
Your initial consultation with us will take about an hour, giving us plenty of time to do an exam, discuss your concerns, and answer any questions you have. Dr. Fagala will also use this time to walk you through your diagnosis and customized treatment plan. If you schedule your appointment for earlier in the summer, you’ll have your first set of clear aligners back from the Invisalign lab with plenty of time to spare before school starts and things get hectic again.
Additional time to adjust to treatment
Any kind of orthodontic treatment comes with an adjustment period, even Invisalign. You may not be dealing with brackets or wires, but the aligners are still creating the pressure that will eventually move your teeth into the desired positions. This can cause some mild discomfort while you get used to the feeling, but most patients adapt to this within a couple of weeks. The more you wear your aligners, the faster you’ll get used to them—a good thing considering you’ll need to wear them for 20-22 hours daily to achieve the best results!
Starting Invisalign in the summer will give you plenty of time to adjust to having an aligner in your mouth so many hours out of each day. Without the demands a busy schedule brings, you’ll be able to devote extra attention to developing a good dental hygiene routine around your clear aligners and get used to putting your aligners in and taking them out with ease. By the time school supplies start appearing on store shelves, you’ll be well on your way to a happier and healthier smile.
Take advantage of a child’s natural growth spurts
If you’re looking into Invisalign for your child, there’s some actual science involved in us claiming summer is the best time to begin orthodontic treatment! Children will have a growth spurt, then go into a “rest period” until the next spurt. Studies have shown that these growth spurts tend to happen most during the summer, which researchers believe is likely to involve the pituitary gland responding to the longer days and increased temperature. It just so happens that the most optimal time for straightening teeth is during their maximum growth period, too! Whatever the exact reason, summer presents the perfect opportunity to move a child’s teeth as easily and effectively as possible.
Summer snacking
Patients in braces have to be careful about what they eat. Crunchy and sticky foods can break brackets and warp wires, so these need to be avoided until treatment is complete. Because Invisalign clear aligners are removable, there are no food restrictions. That means you can still enjoy all your favorite summer snacks, from BBQ and corn on the cob to cotton candy and fresh watermelon!
While you won’t have to worry about limiting any of your warm-weather treats, oral hygiene is still important. Invisalign aligners are removed before eating or drinking anything other than water, but you’ll want to be sure to brush well before putting one back in. Any food particles that are left can be trapped between your teeth and the aligner, which makes it easier for bad bacteria to flourish.
To keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape, brush after every meal for two minutes each time and floss each night before bed. If you aren’t able to brush before putting your aligner back in, rinse your mouth with water a few times to wash some of the debris away, then brush as soon as you can. This will help prevent cavities and gingivitis, ensuring the best results once your child’s treatment is complete.
Get started on your SCO smile this summer
While the total treatment time for Invisalign will vary from case to case, it takes most patients an average of one year to complete. If you get started this summer, you could have a beautifully straightened smile next summer!
The long and lazy days of summer are free from a lot of the stress that we have during the school year. With extra hours and a more relaxed schedule, it’s one of the best times of the year to get started on your smile journey! With the flexibility of Invisalign, two conveniently located offices, and a free consultation, SCO is making it easier than ever to take the first step towards a more confident smile.
Dr. Fagala and the rest of our expert team work hard to provide Mid-South families with a rewarding and stress-free experience all year long! If you’re ready for a smile transformation this summer, get in touch today to schedule your FREE consultation with our Germantown or Collierville office.
Best,
