April 23, 2021
“Watch out!”
Whether you’re intentionally holding your ground while a ball hurtles towards you or you just happen to get caught in the crossfire of a bad throw, one thing is for sure — the results can hurt.
That’s why, in honor of National Facial Protection Month, we want to take a moment to inform you about how best to protect your braces (and your smile) no matter what sport or outdoor activity you enjoy!
The Athlete’s Must-Have: A Mouthguard
While you may think of braces as too bulky to fit beneath a mouthguard, the truth is that, not only can braces absolutely fit, but mouthguards are actually essential for protecting your or your child’s braces!
“If the player is wearing braces, an incident may require expensive treatment to repair the braces and fix any damage done to the teeth or gums,” as explained by Colgate. “Luckily, you can lower the chances of harm or injury by wearing the right mouthguard with braces.”
There are three different types of mouthguard you can opt for:
- Pre-Formed Mouth Guards: Also called stock mouthguards, these guards are readily available at your local sports store and are often designed as a one-size-fits-all model.
- Boil and Bite Mouth Guards: These mouthguards are messier to make, but are more likely to fit well around your or your child’s braces. This is because they are first boiled and softened in water at home prior to being molded to the shape of the wearer’s teeth.
- Custom-Fit Mouth Guards: Also molded specifically to the wearer’s teeth, custom-fit guards are made by your orthodontist. These mouthguards provide the best overall, fit, protection, and comfort, as they are the highest quality mouthguards available.
When Emergency Orthodontics Are In Order
According to the Academy for Sports Dentistry, “an estimated 12 million people ages of 5 and 22 years suffer a sport-related injury annually, which leads to 20 million lost days of school.” And what’s more, research completed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) indicates that up to 61% of athletes had reported dental trauma as a result of their sports participation.
In other words, sports-related injuries are common. And even when one is wearing a mouthguard and helmet, sometimes it can be difficult to fully mitigate the damage.
Thus, we encourage you to be aware of when it is time to seek emergency orthodontic care. Specifically, loose brackets, broken or protruding wires, damaged bands, and point-blank facial trauma all merit emergency attention.
Sports Stress? Call SouthShore!
At the end of the day, orthodontic protection starts with one thing: Trust. When you find a trusted orthodontic practice, not only can you rest easy knowing you will be well taken care of through every stage of alignment, but you can also have someone to rely on should an emergency arise.
And that’s why SouthShore Orthodontics is here for you.
We don’t just aim to provide exceptional results in a welcoming environment for the whole family — we also strive to ensure you can continue to participate in the recreational activities you love while remaining safe!
To learn more about our team or schedule an appointment, contact our office today by calling (813) 815-0080!