It’s understandable how athletes with braces can be concerned about proper upkeep, so here are our expert tips to keep athletes safe during orthodontic treatment!
Every parent always feels simultaneous excitement and concern while watching their kids play sports, because the looming thought of their safety is always in the background while you’re watching them have fun. That’s just how parents function!
It’s understandable how safety concerns are heightened in parents when their athlete is wearing braces, and we’ve answered many questions from parents about the risks of playing sports during orthodontic treatment and what to do in case an accident occurs.
The good news is that the JK Orthodontics team is always here to help you with these types of concerns through a whole variety of precautionary measures and safety tips, and below we’ll be going over some tips to keep in mind to ensure that your athlete can continue playing at a high level while also keeping their braces safe!
1. Always Wear An Orthodontic Mouthguard
The truth is that every athlete regardless of whether or not they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment should wear a mouthguard when they’re training or playing in competitive games. This safety measure is particularly important for kids wearing braces, because one accident can end up throwing the treatment process off by several weeks or even months. Repairs to orthodontic equipment can also be avoided while wearing a mouthguard as well!
The good news is that the JK Orthodontics team can provide the exact type of equipment that’s best for young athletes in orthodontic mouthguards. These mouthguards are designed to fit comfortably over braces, and they always go a long way in providing an extra layer of protection for an athlete’s gums, teeth and lips.
2. Try To Avoid Snacks And Sports Drinks
Injuries aren’t the only concern that athletes with braces should be keeping in mind during training and games. Young athletes also need to remain cognizant of what they’re eating and drinking in preparation for the big game as well!
Sports gels, drinks and energy bars will often have high levels of sugars and acids that can lead to visible white marks around a braces patient’s brackets. Certain sports snacks can also rather easily get stuck within brackets and lead to discomfort.
If your child athlete has chosen to utilize our Line-M-Up™ invisible aligners, they’ll also still need to be vigilant about what they eat and drink. Certain acidic gels and liquids can end up getting stuck within a patient’s aligner trays, which will rest up against the surface of their teeth and potentially cause staining.
3. Athletes Must Remain Mindful Of Their Braces
Although a mouthguard can go a very long way to minimize the potential damage that a sports impact can pose on braces, the best way for athletes to avoid issues with their braces is to avoid accidents as much as they can. This is something that parents should remind their kids of, and let them know that a mishap can be detrimental for their treatment.
A lot of patients will forget they’re wearing braces while playing sports, and this can lead to the type of recklessness that puts their appliances at risk.
4. If An Accident Occurs, Act Quickly
Although we all have good intentions to avoid collisions and serious impacts, sports accidents simply happen all the time. Braces can subsequently be affected as a result of these accidents, which is why parents should remind kids to check their braces after any impacts to their mouth.
If a wire becomes broken or a bracket becomes loose, the athlete needs to let someone know so an appointment with Dr. Karpac can be scheduled as soon as possible. Quickly reacting to these issues will always go a very long way in terms of minimizing the effects of the impact before they get worse.
Reach Out To Dr. Karpac And The JK Orthodontics Team To Learn More About How We Support Athletes During Orthodontic Treatment!
The above tips will support any braces patient no matter what sport they’re playing, because taking the proper precautions and knowing what to do when things go wrong will always protect the athlete’s health and treatment process.
Reach out to us online or call us at 614-766-0330 (Dublin office) or 614-471-6355 (Gahanna office) to get in touch with our specialists today and learn more about how we support athletes all over the Columbus Metro Area on a daily basis!