Posted on January 18, 2022
In the simplest of terms, you can play sports in any sort of braces. However, there are some factors that you should take into consideration to make sure that you are being careful and keeping your braces in mind while playing.
During your initial consultation, your orthodontist will be able to tell you more about what measures you will need to take when playing sports during your orthodontic treatment. Of course, something like clear aligners will be a safer option to play in, but this may not be the orthodontic treatment that is best for you and your smile. Having traditional metal braces does not mean that you have to give up sports, but that you might need to be a little more careful in the long run.
The first thing to keep in mind is that metal braces do tend to cause more injury to those wearing them compared to patients undergoing treatment with clear aligners. If you are hit in the mouth while wearing braces, you might experience cuts inside of the mouth. Similar to ulcers in the mouth, these cuts will heal over time and can be treated with saltwater rinse or over-the-counter pain medication.
If you are an athlete, or plan on playing sports during treatment, it is best to speak with your orthodontist about your options for safeguards. Mouthguards, shields, and more can help to protect you and your braces. Mouthguards are one of the best ways to protect the mouth and teeth when playing sports so that you can keep playing while undergoing treatment and avoid worrying about mouth injuries.