Using Sports Mouthguards with Invisible Braces

Engaging in sports is a great way to stay active and fit, but it can also lead to injuries to your teeth and mouth. Sports mouthguards help protect your teeth from getting broken, as well as from lip or tongue injuries. They are protective devices that absorb and reduce the impact of the blow to your face which you may get while playing a sport. This is important not only in contact sports like hockey and football but also in activities like basketball and skating. If you are a person undergoing orthodontic treatment with Invisible braces on your teeth, the need for a mouthguard is important as Invisible braces may sometimes cause oral injuries while playing. Using a mouthguard along with Invisible braces can give you extra protection.2 In this article, we will discuss how you can use orthodontic mouthguards to keep your Invisible braces safe while you play.

Are Invisible Braces Safe While Playing Sports?

Many famous athletes like Venus Williams and Cristiano Ronaldo wore Invisible braces and played sports. Playing sports didn’t stop them from continuing their orthodontic treatment. You just need to be careful with your Invisible braces while playing a sport. While Invisible braces can give protection to your teeth, they can also cause injuries to the lips and cheeks. In rough sports like boxing, football and wrestling, injuries can be more severe because you might collide with other players and equipment. Therefore, using a properly fitted mouthguard is important to prevent these injuries and protect your Invisible braces too.

A mouthguard acts as a protective shield, absorbing the force of impacts to your face and the jaws. This helps reduce the risk of severe injuries and protect your teeth, the jaws and the soft tissues of cheeks, lips and tongue. Using a mouthguard along with Invisible braces provides extra protection.

However, if you think wearing Invisible braces could be challenging, the other option is orthodontic treatment using clear aligners. Aligners are more comfortable and less likely to cause injuries compared to traditional Invisible braces. Moreover, they can be easily removed while playing, allowing you to wear only a mouthguard, especially in high-contact sports. For non-contact sports, you can usually continue wearing your aligners along with your mouthguards.

But if you are already using Invisible braces and prefer to continue with them, by following proper precautions like using a gum shield for Invisible braces and following your orthodontist's advice, it is safe for you to wear Invisible braces while playing sports.

Benefits Of Using Mouthguards with Invisible Braces

Mouthguards not only protect your teeth and mouth but are also advantageous for your Invisible braces while playing a sport. Here are a few benefits listed:

• **Prevents Injuries to Soft Tissues: **A mouthguard protects your lips, tongue, and cheeks from cuts and bruises you get from your Invisible braces due to an injury while playing. It cushions impacts and reduces the risk of injuries during sports.

• Prevents Tooth Loss: While playing when you get hit hard, your teeth can collide with each other and get cracked or knocked out. By wearing Invisible braces and mouthguards, you can prevent such damage as the mouthguard can act as a cushion between your teeth and Invisible braces.

• Reduces Jaw Injuries: A gum guard for Invisible braces protects your jaw from getting dislocated or fractured by softening the impact of the blow on the jaws.

• **Protect Your Invisible Braces: **When you play sports, there’s a chance you might get hit in the mouth. A mouthguard reduces the chance of your Invisible brace getting damaged like breakage of brackets or bending. It does this by absorbing the force of the blow. Therefore, it prevents unnecessary orthodontic visits, saving on Invisible braces cost and time.

For people with Invisible braces, the mouthguard should be comfortable, stay in place during sports, and fit around the Invisible braces. Custom mouthguards are designed to fit perfectly with Invisible braces, offering the best protection. Consult your orthodontist to select the best mouthguard for your needs.

Benefits of Invisible Braces in a Sports Person's Life:

As a sportsperson, you may have to wear your braces for your teeth problems, but it has other benefits too:

• Invisible Braces help in aligning your teeth, making them easier to clean thoroughly. Properly aligned teeth allow better maintenance of overall oral health, with a lesser likelihood of developing cavities and gum disease, thereby avoiding unnecessary inconvenience and enhancing performance.

• Invisible Braces can boost your confidence by improving your smile. This can positively impact your self-esteem and how you feel during competitions and daily activities.

• Invisible Braces also address bite and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, which can affect how you chew and speak. Since communication and chewing are important for athletes, Invisible braces can be useful in these areas. Plus, athletes can be free from jaw pain or discomfort and focus more on their sport.

With these benefits of Invisible braces for a sportsperson, you don’t have to compromise on your treatment just because you’re playing a sport and vice-a-versa. You can enjoy the advantages of Invisible braces while continuing to excel in your sport. However, you must ensure to wear a gum shield for Invisible braces while playing the sport in order to prevent any damage to your braces as well as the oral structures.

Conclusion

Braces can help sportspersons by improving oral health, bite, and jaw function. By using a proper mouthguard and following your orthodontist’s advice, you can keep your braces safe and keep doing well in your sport. A well-fit mouthguard can protect your braces and your teeth, which in turn can help you have better dental health and improved athletic performance.