If you are playing sports with braces, especially any kind of contact sport, it is very important that you are protecting your mouth. One of the best ways to do this is by wearing a mouthguard. People generally have questions when it comes to sports, braces and mouthguards, and Zeifman Orthodontics is here to answer those questions!
Why Are Mouthguards Important To Wear With Braces?
While a mouthguard is essentially always important, it is extra important to wear one if you have braces. This is due to the fact that the soft tissue in your mouth is more susceptible to damage if you get hit in the face. The metal braces and brackets can hurt your gums and perhaps even break through your lip, if someone were to hit you in the mouth. This is incredibly painful and could potentially cause some permanent scarring. The best way to avoid this from happening is to simply cover your braces with a mouthguard. The mouthguard is made out of a durable plastic that creates a solid barrier between your braces and your gums.
How Do I Choose The Best Mouthguard?
In order for your mouthguard to work the way that it should, it is important that you choose one with care. There are three questions that you should ask yourself when choosing the right mouthguard to wear with braces:
- Does the mouthguard feel comfortable in your mouth?
- Is the mouthguard too bulky?
- How much room does the mouthguard give for your teeth to move?
If your mouthguard does not feel comfortable in your mouth, then you likely aren’t going to wear it. It is distracting when trying to play sports, and could even cause you some pain. A lot of the over-the-counter mouthguards that you can purchase are made more generically. Because of this, there is a good possibility that the mouthguard will not fit over your braces and teeth properly.
How An Orthodontist Can Help
In order to get a mouthguard that is custom fit to your mouth, you should have it made by an orthodontist. The orthodontist will create the mouthguard using a mold from your mouth. This ensures that the mouthguard feels comfortable in your mouth and is a protection to you instead of a distraction. It will also account for some of the movement your teeth will undergo during orthodontic treatment so you don’t constantly have to purchase new mouthguards.
Dr. Zeifman wants to help you safely enjoy your favorite sports and other activities this summer! If you have braces, ask us about mouthguards. We are happy to help.