{"id":41,"date":"2024-12-17T10:03:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T10:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mainstpediatric.com\/blog\/?p=41"},"modified":"2025-01-30T22:04:08","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T22:04:08","slug":"can-kids-get-invisalign-if-they-grind-their-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mainstpediatric.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/17\/can-kids-get-invisalign-if-they-grind-their-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Kids Get Invisalign If They Grind Their Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Once they\u2019ve reached their tween years, most kids are good candidates for Invisalign. They\u2019d have all their adult teeth by then and enjoy a smoother treatment<\/a> than older patients. Still, you may wonder: Does your child\u2019s teeth-grinding habit disqualify them from aligners? It so happens that your Pleasanton pediatric dentist can address this question for you. With that said, read on to learn whether kids can get Invisalign if they grind their teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Crucial Context: What\u2019s Invisalign?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Invisalign is a recent orthodontic treatment that corrects a patient\u2019s crooked teeth. Compared to more \u201ctraditional\u201d metal braces, it\u2019s often seen as an easier alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Invisalign procedure uses a series of clear plastic trays \u2013 \u201caligners\u201d \u2013 to straighten out smiles. Placed over one\u2019s teeth, they exert slight pressure to move the grin into the right position. A patient only needs to switch to new trays every few weeks to maintain progress; they\u2019ll then sport an aligned smile after just a year or so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, Invisalign has its share of rules to follow. All patients must wear the trays for 20-22 hours daily to keep their treatments on schedule. They also can\u2019t eat or drink with aligners in their mouths; doing so would cause damage and delay alignment progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Kids Get It If They Grind Their Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s certainly not good if your child grinds their teeth; doing so erodes enamel, causes tooth sensitivity, etc. However, the habit shouldn\u2019t keep your tween from getting trays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bruxism would merely wear out your little one\u2019s aligners more quickly. That isn\u2019t a great outcome, but it just means your child must switch to new trays faster or get replacements. A good pediatric dentist (or orthodontist) could handle and consider both scenarios during care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If anything, your child\u2019s teeth grinding is another reason to get Invisalign. Treatment can fix one of the biggest causes of bruxism \u2013 a misaligned smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Major Benefits of Invisalign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides fixing their bruxism habit, Invisalign could provide your child with the following benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n