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Top tips for planning your teen's health

Invisalign shares top tips when planning your teen's health on 'Atlanta & Company'
Invisalign shares top tips when planning your teen's health on 'Atlanta & Company'

Tip #1 – Start Saving

Sock money away – the earlier the better. A practical approach would be to have two or more accounts to which you contribute on a regular basis. One should be a general account, which can be used for anything medical-related, like orthodontics, and other expenses, like a car, extracurricular activities, etc. Another can be dedicated to education.

There are so many options when it comes to saving, but my favorites are high-yield online savings accounts and micro-investing or “round-up” accounts, like Acorns, Digit or Stash. For education, 529 funds are good because in some states, there are tax benefits as well. No matter what you choose, setting up automatic withdrawals will ensure that you don’t skip payments to your funds.

Tip #2 – Don’t Cut Corners When it Comes to Your Teen’s Teeth

When it comes to big important purchases like straightening your teen’s teeth, you don’t want to take chances. You want to check treatments for a track record of success, because you can’t always get a do-over! Know what your teen is getting and go with the best.

I recommend you go with the original and most technically advanced clear aligner system in the world: Invisalign clear aligners. With over 20 years of innovation and 5 million-plus smiles, Invisalign treatment can fix simple to complex teen cases. It’s proven to work and no other clear aligner comes close. And with treatment times up to 2 times faster, Invisalign clear aligners can fix teen smiles, which is done by using weekly aligner changes, compared with two-week aligner wear.

Tip #3 – Find the Best Healthcare Providers for Your Teen

Your pediatrician and pediatric dentist can probably see your child until he or she is 18, but during the teen years, make sure that these providers are still speaking your language. If they make a recommendation for a pricey procedure or orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion. To find a provider, use the Doctor Locator that the Invisalign brand offers or one that can be found on most insurance websites.

Tip #4 - Diet & Exercise

As your teen matures, you may find yourself stepping back to give them room to live more independently, but keep an eye on their diet and exercise. According to the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), 31.2 percent of kids ages 10-17 are overweight or obese, so if your teen has a penchant for junk food or is not physically active, keep the house stocked with healthy food, especially snacks, which are particularly important because teens often need something to ‘grab and go’. I buy in bulk to save money and to ensure that I’m always stocked up. I like Boxed.com, which I can order from in minutes from the app. If your teen isn’t into team sports or dance, find an activity where you can be active with them, like riding bikes or hike together on the weekends.

Invisalign® clear aligners are the clear alternative to metal braces for adults and teens. The clear aligners are the virtually invisible way to improve your smile with an Invisalign-trained doctor guiding the way. For more information and to find a doctor near you, visit Invisalign.com.

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