A question that we get asked here at Sonneveld Orthodontics is whether patients who just have had braces put on their teeth can still play sports. It’s true that there are certain precautions braces patients have to take if playing sports, though we’d never encourage someone to stop playing sports. Engaging in physical activity is an important part of maintaining a healthy body – especially for those who are of a younger age. Instead of avoiding sports for the time being, we’ve got a better idea – wear an orthodontic mouthguard when you’re going to play sports instead.

Orthodontic Mouthguards

You may be familiar with traditional mouthguards. After all, several sports, such as football, lacrosse, ice hockey, and field hockey, require their usage. However, an orthodontic mouthguard is different than a traditional mouthguard. Orthodontic mouthguards are created with your Oak Forest braces in mind. They have a larger design so that they’ll be able to safely fit your braces inside. Also, unlike standard mouthguards that are made out of hard plastic and can sometimes damage a person’s braces during impact, an orthodontic mouthguard is made from silicone, which will provide extra protection and make it much more comfortable to wear. If you get hit in the face or fall down, you’re a lot more likely to emerge with your teeth, mouth, and orthodontics intact. If you’re wearing braces and you’re playing any sport with the potential for physical contact, we highly recommend wearing an orthodontic mouthguard.

Orthodontic Emergencies 

While orthodontic mouthguards are an excellent option, they’re not perfect; there’s still the potential that you could damage your braces or your mouth. If you ever end up breaking a wire or a bracket while you’re playing sports, you should stop immediately in order to prevent any further damage. If the band or the bracket is still attached, just leave them as they are. If it’s irritating you, you can apply some wax. If any parts fall off, bring them with you to your next appointment with us. Please get in touch with us as soon as you can to determine if you’ll need to plan a visit quickly or if you can wait until your next appointment.

Contact Your Provider of Oak Forest Braces!

If you ever have an orthodontic emergency, please contact us as soon as you can and we’ll be here to help. If you’re looking to schedule an appointment for braces, feel free to fill out our appointment request form. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!