Before starting orthodontic treatment, you are probably wondering “will my braces interfere with sports”? The answer is NO! Almost all of our patients are involved in some sort of activity whether it be a sport, playing an instrument, singing, acting, etc. Extracurricular activities like sports are so important to people of all ages, especially middle school and high school students. Sports are extracurricular activities that provide students with opportunities to develop lifelong skills, learn teamwork, and maintain healthy physical and mental health. Many patients who play sports have concerns about orthodontic treatment, and we have often gotten the question “Will my braces interfere with sports.” Smiles Hollywood Orthodontics is here to put those concerns to bed! When particularly wearing braces, it might seem like a potential barrier to participate in these sports activities; However, braces do not interfere with any sport, thanks to advancements in orthodontic technology and updated preventive measures.
One of the preventive measures that have been taken to answer the question of “Will my braces interfere with sports” is that modern braces have been designed to be more comfortable and less intrusive than those of the past. These updated high tech braces are made of lightweight materials and are often more discreet and easy to maintain.With options like our traditional Damon and Innovation braces, they offer less visible alternatives to traditional metal braces. This can sometimes help patients to engage in their favorite sports without the fear of feeling self-conscious or feeling held back by the older and more bulky orthodontic appliances.
At Smiles Hollywood Orthodontics, we understand how important it is to keep our patients on track and involved with their sports activities while still working on achieving their beautiful smiles! Braces do not stop a patient from being able to continue with their sports activities, but there are some sports that will require some easy adjustments or changes. In terms of physical activities and sports, the main concern that patients who are getting braces have is “will my braces interfere with sports or will braces cause any potential injuries to the mouth”? Our staff is very diligent in discussing with patients who are getting braces about different safety measures and effective ways to adjust accordingly to sports during orthodontic treatment. The best way to avoid any injuries during treatment is with the use of mouthguards. Our custom-fitted mouthguards are recommended for our athlete patients that have braces because they provide protection for their mouths. These mouthguards are designed to fit over the braces and cushion any impact, reducing the risk of injury to the lips, cheeks, and gums. They also protect the braces themselves from damage. The reason we emphasize the importance of wearing a mouthguard during a patient’s braces treatment is because it protects them from getting any severe or serious injuries since the braces are made of metal and could potentially cause harm to their mouth if hit with a strong enough impact like from an opponent, ball, or other. We recommend that mouthguards be worn for any and all contact sports as it is no extra cost to the patient at all! We will deliver your mouth guard in the office right on the spot for our patient to take home after getting braces and that is completely included in their treatment plan! Since Dr. Stephanie Crise has been practicing orthodontics for over 25 years, she has seen many injuries due to not wearing a mouthguard, and that is why we have incorporated mouthguards into every patient’s treatment plan instead of including an extra cost for you, our patient.
At Smiles Hollywood Orthodontics, we understand the importance of our patients being able to continue their sports and activities. Sports activities promote physical health, improve mental well-being, and teach valuable life skills such as time management, perseverance, and teamwork. Encouraging our patients to continue participating in these activities while undergoing orthodontic treatment can also boost their self confidence. Seeing that they can continue to achieve their goals without significant hindrance can be a powerful motivator. We also understand the concern some patients have when it comes to being able to perform well with braces versus before orthodontic treatment. Some may worry about having orthodontic treatment done the day of an important game or competition, however, we have actually seen that it is beneficial to have treatment done the day of a game or competition because usually, the patient will experience soreness or sensitivity in their mouths after having treatment done, and playing sports gets their blood flowing faster and releases many endorphins that act as natural pain reducers. We also recommend taking pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil and then continuing with their sport. After taking a pain reliever, the sensitivity or uncomfortability should definitely not be a hindrance in their performance and help the patient not worry with the question of “will my braces interfere with sports?”
In summary, the answer to that burning question of “will my braces interfere with sports” is that braces do not interfere with extracurricular sports. This is because of modern orthodontic advancements, preventive measures like mouthguards, and our supportive and understanding orthodontists and staff. Patients can continue to pursue their passions and develop essential sports skills without a significant impact from their orthodontic treatment. The support from our orthodontists, who understand the importance of balancing treatment with an active lifestyle, further ensures that every patient can successfully navigate both their dental health and their extracurricular sports commitments.
Furthermore, orthodontic treatment schedules are typically flexible enough to accommodate a patient’s busy extracurricular calendar. We understand the importance of these sports activities in our patient’s life and we always try to schedule appointments around your events or competitions. We also offer new patients the opportunity to schedule their FREE initial appointment online to make it more convenient for them! You just go online to our website, and choose what day and time works best for you. If you or anyone you know are in need of orthodontic care, but want to continue playing an extracurricular sport or participating in an extracurricular activity, click here to schedule your FREE initial exam or call us at 972-529-9700 so we can schedule you today!