Whether you play amateur or professional sports, wearing braces can be challenging if you don’t know the right way to go about it. Most sports involve heavy physical contact, and it’s normal to have many safety concerns when you’re right in the thick of things.
As an athlete, if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, such as wearing braces, there’s no need to fret. In this article, you’ll learn some handy tips to help you stay safe while wearing braces.
#1. Don’t neglect orthodontic mouthguards
As an athlete, you should invest in a mouthguard, whether you're wearing braces or not. But if you're an athlete undergoing orthodontic treatment, you need not just any mouthguard but orthodontic mouthguards, as they are designed to provide a protective buffer against impact and protect soft tissue in the mouth.
No one ever plans for accidents, but in the case of some sports, they often occur at the worst possible times, in the worst possible scenario. A single accident can take you weeks or months back in your orthodontic treatment. This is why you should consider using orthodontic mouthguards to give you the much-needed extra protection.
#2. Maintain excellent oral hygiene
Half of your orthodontic treatment involves maintaining good oral hygiene. As an athlete engaged in high-impact physical activity, it’s essential to keep every part of your body healthy to make it resilient to injury or infection, including your dentition.
Wearing braces makes it a bit tricky to clean your teeth. But, with the right knowledge, you can maintain good oral hygiene. For starters, you should floss regularly to eliminate any food particles that can lead to the buildup of plaque, which can weaken your teeth and make them more susceptible to injury upon the slightest in-game impact.
#3. Get quick aid if you have an accident
Sometimes, even with the best preparations, accidents occur. Such is the nature of sport, where even the slightest turn, jump, swerve, or sprint can result in collisions, which may be twice as disastrous if you’re an athlete undergoing orthodontic treatment.
In such cases, your best bet is to get immediate aid, reaching out to your orthodontist as soon as possible. Broken brackets or loosened braces wires spell trouble, and booking an appointment quickly is essential to minimize the damage before things get complicated.
#4. Use the correct gear
You should always use the correct gear for your sport as an athlete undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you’re playing games like hockey, lacrosse or football, your chances of mouth injury are higher. So ensure to use the recommended gear to ensure maximum protection while you have your braces on.
#5. Eat the right foods
Adequate nutrition is essential to athletic performance. Nevertheless, this can be tricky because you aren’t allowed to eat just any type of food while wearing braces. Some foods can loosen your braces and break or bend wires, leading to painful injuries or prolonged orthodontic treatment.
Therefore, avoid sugary foods, eat more protein-packed sandwiches, and avoid crunchy foods that could displace the brackets and wires of the braces. Drinking water regularly can also help to eliminate any extra particles in the tiny gaps.
Protect your dental health and shine on and off the field
Sports can be fun. However, the presence of braces may leave you unsure of how to conduct yourself, which may lead to a mouth injury and prolong orthodontic treatment.
At Brunswick Valley Orthodontics, we are keen on your dental health and can help you find a working orthodontic solution so you can enjoy your chosen sport. Contact us today to learn more.