Braces and Sports: A Winning Combination

Sports are an incredibly popular way for kids to exercise, create life-long relationships, and have fun. Whether it’s baseball, football, basketball, or one of the many other sports available, multiple studies have shown the positive influences that sports can have on a child’s health, development and success later in life. Many kids get braces around age 8-14, right at the prime ages of children’s sports, and this may lead parents to wonder if their child will be safe playing sports with braces. The good news is that sports are perfectly safe to play for a child with braces. Actually, some of the most famous athletes in the world used to play with braces, like Cristiano Ronaldo, Dwight Howard, and Venus and Serena Williams.

As long as your child takes care to protect their braces, mouth, and teeth with an orthodontic mouthguard, they can get right back into action with nothing to fear.

Why Are Orthodontic Mouthguards the Best Solution for Braces?

For athletes without braces, boil-and-bite mouthguards are a popular choice. After they are boiled, you simply bite into them, creating a mold of your teeth. After the mouthguards “set” they can’t change their shape. This is fine for people without braces, but because braces cause your teeth, gums, and bones to shift and move, these mouthguards aren’t a good choice for people with braces. After a few days, the mouthguards won’t fit correctly and can do more harm than good during an impact.

Orthodontic mouthguards are the best solution for people with braces because they are made specifically for people with braces. They are made from medical-grade silicone and are slightly bigger than normal mouthguards, so they are softer and have more room for your braces. They will protect your teeth, and also help prevent the brackets from cutting the inside of your lips during an impact. Even though orthodontic mouthguards are bulkier than normal mouthguards, many people say that they are actually more comfortable because there is more space for the braces.

What Do I Do If My Child Gets a Mouth Injury?

Even with a mouthguard, accidents can still happen. If your child gets hurt, make sure to examine the area carefully. Mouth injuries often have a lot of blood that makes it hard to see exactly where the injury is, so make sure to rinse with a lot of water. Try and stop the bleeding and ice the injured area. If the bleeding doesn’t stop or if your child is in a lot of pain, go straight to the emergency room.

If the injury is not that severe, but their braces have been damaged (e.g. a bracket popped off or a wire snapped), then give our office a call. Depending on the injury, an appointment may be necessary to repair any damage. If a tooth has been broken or displaced because of the injury, you may need to see an oral surgeon.

No one should have to sit out of their favorite activities because they have braces. At Carlson Orthodontics, we work with kids and parents to make sure they can continue playing the sports they love. That’s why, each year, we offer a special mouthguard event for local schools’ sports teams. Our next event is planned for Football Season so be sure to check back with us when the kids get back in school for the Fall semester. 

Since 2003, Carlson Orthodontics has helped patients transform their smiles because we believe that your smile has the power to transform your life. To get started on the path towards a beautiful smile, contact us online for a free initial consultation or call us at the nearest location to you today!

• Duluth Office: 1901 South Street, Suite 2 – Duluth, MN – (218) 727-3789
• Cloquet Office: 708 Stanley Avenue – Cloquet, MN – (218) 879-3794
• Superior Office: 3701 Tower Avenue – Superior, WI – (715) 392-0229
• Hayward Office: 10541 N. Ranch Road – Hayward, WI – (715) 292-5148
• Ashland Office: 1419 Beaser Avenue – Ashland, WI – (715) 682-5958
• Ironwood Office: 250 Roosevelt Street – Ironwood, MI – (906) 932-9720