How to Protect Your Braces During Sports and Activities
If you’re wearing braces and love playing sports or engaging in physical activities, you might wonder how to protect your orthodontic treatment while staying active. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or enjoy recreational activities, it’s essential to take extra precautions to avoid damaging your braces or injuring your mouth. Fortunately, with a few smart strategies, you can keep your braces safe while having fun or excelling in your favorite sport.
1. Wear a Custom-Fitted Mouthguard
One of the most important steps you can take to protect your braces is to wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard acts as a protective barrier for your braces, shielding them from direct impact and preventing injuries to your lips, cheeks, gums, and teeth. Mouthguards are especially crucial in contact sports like football, basketball, soccer, and hockey.
While store-bought mouthguards are readily available, a custom-fitted mouthguard provides the best protection. Custom mouthguards are made to fit your teeth and braces perfectly, ensuring maximum comfort and safety. Unlike generic options, they help distribute the force of an impact more evenly and minimize the risk of damaging your braces or causing oral injury.
At Onshore Orthodontics, we can help you get a custom mouthguard that’s specifically designed to fit your braces and your mouth. Talk to your orthodontist about getting a custom mouthguard tailored for your unique needs.
2. Be Mindful of What You Eat Before and After Sports
Eating the wrong foods before or after sports activities can lead to discomfort and increase the risk of damaging your braces. It’s essential to avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods that could potentially break or dislodge a bracket or wire. Some foods can also get stuck in your braces, causing irritation or making it harder to clean your teeth afterward.
Before engaging in sports, it’s a good idea to avoid chewy foods like caramel, taffy, or gum that can get stuck in your braces. Likewise, stay away from hard foods like nuts, popcorn, or ice. After sports, it’s equally important to brush and floss your teeth properly to prevent food particles from lingering in your braces.
If you’re unsure about which foods are safe to eat while wearing braces, consult your orthodontist for a detailed list of recommendations and restrictions.
3. Avoid Chewing on Objects or Non-Food Items
Chewing on pens, pencils, or other non-food items is a habit that many people develop, but it can be especially harmful to braces. The constant pressure from biting on hard objects can damage or bend the wires and brackets, leading to delays in your treatment or the need for repairs.
If you’re used to chewing on objects, try to break the habit by replacing it with a healthier alternative like chewing sugar-free gum. Remember, if you want your orthodontic treatment to progress smoothly, it’s best to avoid putting unnecessary stress on your braces.
4. Protect Your Mouth During Sports with Face Shields or Helmets
In addition to wearing a mouthguard, some sports may require additional facial protection. For example, in sports like lacrosse or ice hockey, wearing a face shield or helmet can help reduce the risk of facial injuries. These protective devices safeguard not only your braces but also your overall facial structure, minimizing the chance of cuts, bruises, and other injuries.
Talk to your coach or athletic trainer to determine if additional protective gear is recommended for your sport. It’s always better to be over-prepared when it comes to safeguarding your braces and your overall health.
5. Carry Orthodontic Wax for Comfort
Sports can sometimes result in unexpected falls, bumps, or jarring movements that could irritate your braces or the inside of your mouth. In these situations, orthodontic wax can be a lifesaver. Orthodontic wax is a soft, moldable substance that you can use to cover any areas of your braces that are causing discomfort, such as a poking wire or sharp bracket.
By applying a small piece of orthodontic wax over any areas that are bothering you, you can temporarily relieve irritation and prevent additional discomfort during physical activity. Be sure to remove the wax and clean your braces thoroughly afterward.
6. Monitor Your Braces Regularly for Damage
While you’re participating in sports or other physical activities, it’s important to check your braces regularly for signs of damage. If you notice that a bracket has come loose, a wire has shifted, or any part of your braces feels loose or broken, it’s important to contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. Continuing with damaged braces can delay your treatment and potentially cause other oral issues.
If you notice any damage, try to make an appointment with your Yulee orthodontist promptly. If you’re unable to get to the office immediately, use orthodontic wax to temporarily cover any sharp areas until your appointment.
7. Maintain a Clean Mouth and Braces
After engaging in sports, it’s essential to clean your braces and mouth to remove any food particles, plaque, or bacteria that may have accumulated during physical activity. Brush and floss thoroughly after each session, and if you have access to a water bottle, rinse your mouth with water to keep it clean in between meals.
Braces make cleaning a bit more challenging, but it’s vital to maintain proper oral hygiene to prevent issues like cavities, gum disease, or staining. A clean mouth will not only help your orthodontic treatment progress faster but will also protect your overall dental health.
Contact Onshore Orthodontics for Expert Orthodontic Care in Yulee, FL
Sports and activities don’t have to be a barrier to achieving the perfect smile with braces. By taking the right precautions and following these simple tips, you can protect your braces and continue enjoying your favorite sports with confidence.
If you’re looking for expert orthodontic care in Yulee, FL, Onshore Orthodontics is here to help! Our team of experienced Yulee orthodontists is committed to providing top-quality care and ensuring that your orthodontic treatment is smooth and effective. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can support you throughout your orthodontic journey.