Braces and Sport

02 December, 2015

Having orthodontic treatments doesn’t mean you have to give up playing sport. However, having braces on does mean that some extra care is required to avoid injury in contact or ball sports, as the chances of more serious damage are much higher.


Mouthguards are a must

One of the most common injuries incurred by athletes is damage to the mouth and jaw. A mouthguard is a great way of protecting your teeth whether they have braces or not because they cushion your teeth, tongue and jaw from injury. They are moulded to fit your teeth for comfort and also to prevent the guard slipping or falling out. With braces in, the possibility of injury increases, this can be anything from mouth lacerations to breaking the brackets, which is extremely uncomfortable and could damage the teeth. The best way to avoid this is to wear a mouthguard that has been designed to suit people with braces. One of the most common injuries incurred by athletes is damage to the mouth and jaw. A mouthguard is a great way of protecting your teeth whether they have braces or not because they cushion your teeth, tongue and jaw from injury. They are moulded to fit your teeth for comfort and also to prevent the guard slipping or falling out. With braces in, the possibility of injury increases, this can be anything from mouth lacerations to breaking the brackets, which is extremely uncomfortable and could damage the teeth. The best way to avoid this is to wear a mouthguard that has been designed to suit people with braces.


Orthodontic mouthguards

Regular mouthguards bought from the pharmacy can be moulded at home using boiling water. However, when there are braces on the teeth these do not provide a high enough level of protection. Orthodontic mouthguards are specially moulded to fit up and over the braces, protecting both the teeth and gums. This acts as a shock absorber, as well as preventing damage to the braces or mouth upon impact. You don’t have to give up your favourite contact sports like football, basketball, netball or hockey when you have braces in, but a mouthguard will ensure that your teeth and your braces are well-protected in case of impact. At Solas Orthodontics we can provide you with an orthodontic mouthguard that is moulded around your braces. Call us today to find out more!