If your child is a student-athlete, they may have a lot on their plate from school and homework to practices and games for their respective sport. With so much of their time spent partaking in physical activity, you may begin to wonder if orthodontic treatment will suit their lifestyle.
Fortunately, treatments like Invisalign and braces shouldn’t affect the ability to play sports if proper precautions are taken. Now you may be wondering, “Which one’s best?”. Read on to learn the pros and cons of each option to help make a decision.
Playing Sports with Braces
Braces are a great option for people leading active lives because they’re so secure. They cannot get lost during the chaos of a game, nor do they have to be removed when eating or drinking because they’re attached to the teeth. They stay in place and do not interfere with the ability to breathe or cause any excessive discomfort that could be distracting. All in all, they should not affect athletic performance!
However, complications may be experienced from having metal wires and brackets in the mouth if precautions aren’t taken. If your child gets hit in the mouth in any way, they can damage their braces or sustain injuries to their mouth, lips, and gums. They must wear an orthodontic mouthguard to protect their smile when participating in activities where they could fall or have something knock into their mouth. Braces or not, a protective mouthguard should always be worn while playing to keep the teeth safe.
Playing Sports with Invisalign
Are you worried about braces injuring your child’s mouth during a full-contact sport? Invisalign may be the better solution! The chances of sustaining oral injuries are significantly smaller because they don’t have to deal with wires and brackets. The clear, plastic aligners can be removed if desired, but it’s not necessary to partake in sporting activities. However, orthodontists strongly encourage athletes to replace their aligners with a traditional mouthguard when playing contact sports. Invisalign is only designed to correct misaligned teeth—they do not provide adequate protection against impact.
Unlike braces, there’s a chance of misplacing aligners since they must be removed before eating or drinking anything that’s not water. Remind your child to always make sure they keep aligners in their sanitary case when not in use! Even if they decide to set them down on the bathroom sink for one second, aligners could easily be misplaced, and they’ll be difficult to find since they’re essentially invisible.
Your child doesn’t have to give up a beautiful, straight smile just because they play sports. Consult with an orthodontist for a treatment that’s best, and they can start working towards a winning smile while on the field or court.
About the Practice
OakBrook Dental & Orthodontics proudly offers a comprehensive and dedicated practice where the whole family can feel at home. We work hard to form lasting relationships with children and adults alike, ensuring everyone has a comfortable dental experience. We understand a smile free of misalignments and gaps can make a huge difference in one’s life. We’ll help you, or your teen, find an orthodontic treatment that best suits oral health needs so you can enjoy a healthy, long-lasting smile. To learn more about our services, visit our website or call (469) 526-4040.