Posted on January 5, 2023
Contrary to what many people believe, visiting an orthodontist to get braces does not mean you cannot play sports anymore. You will need to take certain precautions to protect your new braces, but you can still play sports to your heart’s content! In this helpful blog post, you’ll learn more about playing sports while correcting your teeth with braces.
You are not the first person wondering how braces will affect you or your child’s ability to play sports. In fact, it’s a common and very valid concern. Traditional metal braces are intricate and include wires and brackets that gradually align your teeth. Your smile must be protected during sports to ensure that blunt injuries to the mouth don’t cause any damage.
Every sport can be played with braces. Football, basketball, hockey, and more can all be played with the help of a mouthguard. Your orthodontist should be able to provide valuable tips on how to stay safe while playing contact sports with braces.
Anyone that plays sports should already be using a mouth guard to protect their teeth. However, wearing a mouth guard is even more important if you wear braces. Mouth guards protect the teeth and mouth by providing cushioning in case of direct contact. Everyone that plays sports, even if they do not play high-contact sports, should wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth.
A mouth guard helps to reduce the risk of serious damage from a mouth injury. Thankfully, mouth guards are readily available to just about every athlete.
Your orthodontist can make a custom-fit mouth guard specifically for your smile. A custom-fit mouth guard will fit better and be more comfortable to wear while playing sports! Fit and comfort are essential for young children. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, children should be evaluated by an orthodontist by age seven. While children are usually not fitted for braces until age 10, your orthodontist may still recommend your child wear a mouth guard while playing sports to protect their smile.
You or your child do not have to stop playing sports to improve your teeth. You can play all sports with braces if you take the necessary protections to guard your teeth and braces. Give Smileyville Braces a call today to learn more about what steps can be taken to protect your smile, or to schedule a complimentary consultation for braces for you or your child.
