How Will Dental Braces Change My Appearance?
What Age is Appropriate for Orthodontics?
Are you passionate about playing sports? If so, we can understand how you may feel anxious about starting orthodontic treatment. The good news is that you can continue being an athlete, even while wearing traditional metal braces. Our orthodontists in Fort Wayne, IN, and surrounding areas can create a custom mouth guard for you to wear to protect your smile.
Here’s what you can expect while playing a contact sport during orthodontic treatment. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our office locations.
Continue Playing Contact Sports
Do you play a contact sport, such as hockey or football? If so, it’s important that you ask our orthodontists about your options for a . An orthodontic mouth guard is a little bit bigger than your typical mouth guard to allow room for your metal braces. It also gives your smile and dental braces the ultimate protection in the event you get hit in the face.
Wear an Orthodontic Mouth Guard
A conventional sports mouth guard is made out of hard plastic. While this would normally protect your smile, it can actually do more harm than good if you have traditional metal braces.
It’s also important to keep in mind that your teeth will continue to move during orthodontic treatment, which means you’ll need a mouth guard that offers a custom fit every time you step out onto the field or court.
Always wear your orthodontic mouth guard when playing contact sports, regardless of whether it’s a practice or the Friday night football game. Any time there is a risk of sports dental injury, you should be wearing your mouth guard.
Consider Mouth Guards for Non-Contact Sports
Football, hockey, and other contact sports get the most attention when it comes to spreading awareness about dental injuries. That being said, any sport you play carries a risk of oral injury. For example, you could easily chip a tooth or break off a bracket while skateboarding at your local park.
Please use your best judgment and consult with one of our orthodontists to determine if the risk level is high enough to warrant a sports mouth guard for braces.
Reduce Your Risk of Dental Injuries
According to the , about 40% of pediatric dental injuries are caused by sports. Since the likelihood of injury is so high, a mouth guard is a smart investment for your child. Not only will it help protect their smile, but it’ll also save you money and the trauma and stress of rushing your child to get urgent care. Since the risk of dental injury is high for athletes of all ages, we also recommend that adults wear their orthodontic mouth guards.
Related: What to Expect When Getting Adult Braces →
Wearing the right type of sports mouth guard is important during orthodontic treatment. If you wish to play a contact sport, our orthodontists will create a sports mouth guard that’s designed to fit over your teeth and braces. This will significantly reduce your risk of serious dental injury.
Also, keep in mind that your metal wires and braces could snag on an oral appliance that’s not designed to accommodate them. The result can be a damaged smile and broken orthodontic metal braces that set back your treatment.
Consult with Our Orthodontists
As your trusted destination for orthodontic care, we highly recommend speaking openly with our team about any lifestyle factors that may affect your treatment. This includes playing sports.
During your appointments, we’d be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. That way, you have all the facts you need to make informed decisions for your smile. Talking with our doctors will help set you up for success, reducing your risk of common orthodontic problems.
The more you consult with our orthodontists, the better equipped you'll be on your journey to a healthier, more attractive smile!
Book a Consultation for Metal Braces
Our , and surrounding areas are accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment and learn if you’re a candidate for a sports mouth guard during orthodontic treatment, please call Parrish Orthodontics at (260) 447-2568. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.