If you’re like most parents, you worry about the safety of your child playing contact sports while wearing metal braces. You have concerns about the quick-paced physical activity causing cuts to the lips and mouth, tooth loss, and damage to the braces themselves. The good news is that wearing metal braces while playing contact sports is perfectly safe as long as you take the proper precautions. Follow Dr. Nikaeen’s recommendations, and take the worry out of your child’s extracurricular activities.
1. Wear a Helmet
Helmets, such as the ones worn in football, hockey, and lacrosse, are equipped with full-facial guards that provide the most comprehensive protection against dental damage caused by impact during physical activities. Helmets are integral in keeping the entire head, including the mouth region, free from harm.
2. Incorporate Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are worn inside the mouth, directly over the upper teeth, lower teeth or both. They act as a buffer against collision and heavy impact. Orthodontic mouth guards, which are made of a high-grade silicone, offer the best protection for lips and teeth during lower impact sports activities such as soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, skateboarding, or any other sport which may result in inadvertent damage to the mouth region due to falls or contact with other players or equipment, such as bats or balls.
Taking these simple precautions will afford your child the luxury of safely playing all their favorite sports while undergoing dental treatment. Adult brace wearers who play sports are encouraged to incorporate these same safety measures in order to ensure the success of their oral health treatment plan. Please address any questions or concerns you might have regarding metal braces and contact sports to Dr. Nikaeen, and she’ll be happy to discuss all your options with you.
