The teenage years are a tumultuous time of transition. Bodies change and grow, hormones run at an all-time high, and navigating one’s space in the social world is pretty tough. Among the middle school dances and first-day-at-high-schools lays another symbol of adolescence: getting braces. Mouths seem to suddenly fill up with metal as baby teeth are shed behind, and permanent teeth take their place.

But do metal braces have to remain a symbol of becoming a teenager? At Alexandria Dental Health & Smile Studio, we don’t think so. In fact, we are proud to offer Invisalign to all qualifying patients who have worked with our dental clinic—and we are accepting new patients as well. Invisalign is great for adults and teens alike, but in today’s blog, we’re going to focus on those essential, albeit, cringeworthy years. Take a look at some of the reasons your teenager would benefit from Invisalign!

It helps correct their teeth alignment.

As is the case with all forms of braces, the purpose is to straighten teeth, and correct alignment and bite as a whole. Without braces, our jaws can overcompensate in various ways that can cause more stress on your teeth and mouth. If left untreated, this can lead to headaches, TMJ, and other health issues. Even for the sake of comfort alone, getting braces can make eating, chewing, and even speaking easier than ever.

Getting proper alignment is the medical purpose of having braces, and can ensure your teen avoids certain complications down the road as they enter adulthood.

It’s great to get done sooner rather than later.

Getting braces aren’t exactly a fun activity, but if there’s a time to do it, it’s now. As we all know, we get increasingly busier in adulthood, which can make scheduling appointments and setting up the necessary time to get Invisalign more difficult. Teens have more free time and less responsibilities (though they might not always feel that way), meaning that these are much more ideal years for getting braces.

Just like with vaccinations, booster shots, and getting wisdom teeth removed, there’s an advantage to having these things done while we’re young. We often forget about these procedures, and have freer and more flexible schedules that allow for this.

It alleviates future financial strain.

Braces are absolutely an investment, and can run a bit on the costly side. However, you, as a parent or guardian, want the best for your child, and it’s inherent to want to make your child’s life easier. This doesn’t mean you lower expectations or encourage your children any less, but if there are moments when you can make things easier—especially in their future—this can make a huge difference.

If you have the means to do so, helping your child get braces can positively impact their health and overall confidence in their smile. And at Alexandria Dental Health & Smile Studio, we are committed to helping you get the best in dental care, at prices you can afford. Check out our Invisalign page to see what specials we’re currently running on invisible braces!

It could be faster than metal braces.

Shifting teeth and working towards correcting their alignment takes time, it’s true. But with Invisalign, you’re paying prices that are comparable to traditional metal braces, with a solution that’s actually more efficient. Invisalign can show results up to 50 percent faster than getting metal braces. If there’s a way to have braces take less time, we’re all for it (and suspect you and your family are, too).

It can improve their self-esteem with their smile…

The most important person to judge your smile is you. That being said, the sting of comments in middle school can stay with us long after the final school bell rings. Anyone who has felt like they need to hide their smile, or can’t show their teeth when they’re happy, has likely heard or witnessed comments that can be incredibly detrimental to self-esteem.

Invisalign offers a solution to a straighter smile, and when your child feels confident about their smile, it shows. True happiness should never be covered up, and with Invisalign, your child is a year or so away from having a grin worth smiling about.

…and with their braces.

The discretion offered from Invisalign is a true gamechanger. So many adults were searching for a less-obvious solution to get proper teeth alignment and bite correction, but didn’t want a mouth full of metal. More often than not, adults didn’t want to be lumped back in with their teenage years! But just as adults can feel self-conscious about having metal braces, so can teenagers—and their feelings are no less valid.

At a time when self-esteem is usually at an all-time low, any help towards boosting a teenager’s confidence should surely be appreciated. When people—especially teenagers—feel better about themselves, they tend to be better towards others as well. Considering teenagers are two times as likely to have higher self-esteem with invisible braces (instead of metal ones), Invisalign could make a difference for not only your child, but also your family.

Being a teenager is tough, but it doesn’t always have to be. With Invisalign, your teen could be getting a smile they love, with essential health benefits, and it could truly make their life a little easier. Teens and adults have chosen Invisalign for years as their orthodontic treatment of choice, for some incredibly solid reasons. Find out why, and if your child is a good match, by scheduling an appointment with our Alexandria Dental Health & Smile Studio today!