Hockey, basketball, and wrestling are common winter sports. Then there is boxing and martial arts, which are a popular choice for exercise. However you choose to move or play, whether you’re on a team or aim to get on the court or rink whenever you can, make a mouthguard part of your gear. When you wear braces, it pays to protect your teeth and hardware with a customized guard for your teeth.
The Importance of a Customized Orthodontic Mouthguard
Even if your sport includes a helmet with a guard or shield over your mouth, it isn’t enough to protect a teen’s braces and teeth from damage. Would you go into a game or match without your uniform or other types of head and body protection? No way. The safety of your mouth is just as critical to prevent damage from occurring should you fall, take a hit, or get clobbered by another player or piece of equipment.
What’s So Special About Silicone Mouthguards?
Braces are temporary, but that doesn’t mean you can go without protecting your teeth and hardware when you are under orthodontic care. While you may be tempted to grab a boil-and-bite mouthguard, an inexpensive over-the-counter product, this device won’t keep your braces or Invisalign safe while on the court, field, rink, or otherwise. These mouthguards are molded and do not change.
Silicone mouthguards are the best choice – and these you get from your orthodontist. Here are just some of the benefits:
- Strong material: Silicone is a high-grade protective material that is smooth and carefully personalized to fit over brackets, wires, or Invisalign aligners so teeth and hardware are safe.
- Customized design: A silicone mouthguard is customized to unique – and changing – teeth. Your smile is changing day by day as teeth and roots move into proper position. The silicone accommodates a shifting mouth.
- Precise fit: A customized mouthguard fits over teeth and orthodontics and under the top lip. The appliance acts as a cushion so should you take a blow to the mouth during your favorite sport, cheeks and lips won’t get snagged by brackets or wires.
- Effective size: You may not want to draw attention to yourself any more than necessary since you’re already undergoing orthodontic treatment, but you’ll be thankful you said yes to a customized mouthguard. It might be a little bigger for athletes, but that means you are both safer and more comfortable in action.
Complications of Not Wearing a Mouthguard
Playing sports is about getting in the zone and playing hard. No one wants to worry about their safety and especially not their teeth when someone is keeping score. A customized orthodontic mouthguard ensures that your hardware and teeth remain safe and reduces the chance of:
- Broken or damaged brackets and wires
- Torn lips or ripped soft tissue
- Brackets pushed into the gums
- Knocked out or dislodged teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
Talk to Dr. Mariana to learn about protective gear for your braces. You don’t have to stop playing sports, just play smarter and you’ll avoid orthodontic emergencies. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mariana Orthodontics in Monroe, WA, to get a mouthguard for the season ahead.
