I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
Once you get your braces on, you'll need to make some adjustments to your lifestyle. If you love taking part in sports that involve some form of physical contact, like hockey or American football, then you'll need to invest in some protection for your braces and your mouth. Hard impacts can damage braces and cause oral injuries that can interrupt your treatment.
The most effective form of protection for braces during sports activities is a mouthguard. But you need to make sure you choose the right type of mouthguard.
Avoid using regular mouth guards to protect your braces
Regular sports mouth guards provide some protection for your mouth and your braces while you take part in sports. But there are some downsides to using regular sports mouth guards while wearing braces.
Pre-made mouthguards are a one size fits all option. This is not ideal for brace wearers because pre-made mouth guards are often ill-fitting, even for people without braces. So, a pre-made mouth guard will likely be a tight and uncomfortable fit for someone undergoing orthodontic treatment. This means that jarring impacts will likely transfer to your braces and cause damage.
Pre-made mouthguards are also made of a hard plastic that could interfere with your orthodontic treatment as your braces move your teeth.
Boil-and-bite mouth guards are slightly better than pre-made mouth guards because they are made of a softer material, and they mold to the shape of your mouth. However, these mouthguards won't move as your teeth move during your treatment.
Use an orthodontic mouthguard to protect your braces and mouth
Just as their name suggests, orthodontic mouthguards are ideal for people wearing braces while playing sports. Orthodontic mouth guards are slightly larger than regular mouthguards are because they are designed to accommodate braces. But because orthodontic mouthguards are composed of a soft silicone material, they are comfortable for brace wearers.
Because orthodontic mouthguards are made of silicone, they provide cushioning for your lips and for your braces. If you do collide with another player during a game, your lips and brace brackets can better absorb the blow.
Although you can purchase orthodontic mouth guards in some stores, to ensure you get the best protection, choose a custom orthodontic mouthguard. Custom mouthguards take into account the shape of your mouth and the goals of your orthodontic treatment, which means they offer the best comfort and safety for you while you undergo orthodontic treatment.
Both you and your braces need protection while you take part in physical sports. Speak to your orthodontist about custom orthodontic mouth guards to ensure that your braces have the best possible protection.
For more information on how to protect braces during sports, contact a dentist near you.
Share24 November 2021
