Braces are dental appliances that are used to straighten crooked and crowded teeth, as well as malocclusion. While braces are most commonly utilised throughout adolescence, many people also benefit from this teeth-correction procedure and receive corrective dental braces as they become older. While braces can be effective for their intended purpose, they also need strict adherence to the orthodontist’s recommendations.
As a braces patient, you’ll be allowed to participate in whatever sport you’re used to. You must, however, take care not to harm them. You’ll also need to take precautions to safeguard your teeth and mouth from harm, particularly if you participate in contact sports.
As football, fall ball, and soccer season approaches, now is the ideal time to discuss how to keep your braces secure and your smile protected while participating in strenuous sports.
Why Wear a Mouthguard for Braces?
While wearing a mouthguard for braces is recommended at all times, it is especially vital if you have braces. This is because the soft tissue in your mouth is more vulnerable to injury if you are stuck in the face. If you are hit in the mouth, the metal braces and brackets can tear your gums and could even burst through your lip. This is excruciatingly painful and may result in lifelong scars.
The easiest method to keep this from happening is to wear a mouthguard over your braces. The mouthguard is constructed of a tough plastic that forms a strong barrier between your braces and your gums. You’ll also want something additional to safeguard your braces if you have them.
Custom-made mouthguards are the finest option, but they are not affordable for everyone, since they can cost several hundred dollars. However, you should keep in mind that the purpose of braces is to shift teeth around, so a custom-made mouthguard for braces may not be the greatest long-term investment.
You might be able to get away with buying a generic mouthguard and fitting it yourself in some circumstances. You should also be aware that mouthguards designed for use with braces are typically more costly than standard mouthguards.
How to Choose the Best Mouth Guard?
It is critical that you pick your mouthguard carefully in order for it to function properly. When picking the proper mouthguard to use with braces, you must ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the mouthguard for braces pleasant to wear in your mouth?
- Is the mouthguard too large for you?
- How much movement space does the mouthguard provide for your teeth?
You are unlikely to use your mouthguard if it does not feel comfortable in your mouth. When you’re attempting to play sports, it might be distracting and even painful. Many of the over-the-counter mouthguards are manufactured in a more generic manner.
As a result, there’s a significant chance your mouthguard won’t fit correctly over your braces and teeth. You should get a mouthguard created by an orthodontist if you want it to be a custom fit to your mouth. A mould of your mouth will be used by the orthodontist to make the mouthguard. This ensures that the mouthguard for braces is comfortable in your mouth during play and serves as a shield rather than a distraction.
Some mouthguards designed particularly for persons who wear braces are rather large. This is because the mouthguard is made larger to accommodate both the braces and the teeth. However, if the mouthguard is too large for the wearer’s mouth, the mouthguard will most likely not fit inside.
Again, having a mouthguard custom-made by an orthodontist would be the best answer to this problem. This ensures that the mouthguard is large enough to cover the braces while remaining tiny enough to fit comfortably within your mouth. It needs to fit perfectly in order to be the most effective.
When to Wear a Mouthguard?
- Winter Outdoor activities
Skiing, sledding, and ice skating are some of the activities you should be aware of. While braces will not prevent you from participating in winter activities, make sure to wear your braces mouthguard before hitting the slopes or ice rink.
It is unavoidable to fall while participating in an outdoor winter sport such as skiing or skating. You’re also more likely to damage your brackets or teeth, as well as cut up the interior of your mouth if you have braces. A mouthguard keeps your teeth healthy and your braces in place, allowing you to be active throughout the winter.
- Before Sleeping
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a widespread problem that affects about one-third of the population. It’s difficult to tell whether you’re afflicted because teeth grinding usually happens at night when you’re asleep. Teeth grinding can cause chronic headaches or earaches, as well as a tight or painful cheek, neck, or upper or lower jaw.
Wearing a mouthguard for braces at night can help save your teeth and braces if you know you grind your teeth or if your dentist or orthodontist has informed you you have indications of bruxism.
Bottom Line
Your teeth are continuously shifting while you have braces on. As a result, a mould that was taken two months ago may not fit properly on your teeth right now. This implies you may need to buy new mouthguards on a regular basis to keep up with your shifting teeth.
A better solution would be to have your orthodontist build you a mouthguard that takes into consideration some of the tooth movement. This will allow you to use the mouthguard for extended periods of time, making it a more cost-effective investment.