Playing sports is beneficial for your teen’s mental stimulation and the perfect way to achieve social camaraderie among their peers. But it so happens that your sports-loving teen wears braces, and you are wary their condition may limit their ability to do what they love. This is not necessarily the case, however, as we will explain below.

Here you will get top tips concerning the issues surrounding braces for teens who play sports.

Consult Our Orthodontists

The first step is to get the go-ahead from one of our liable and reputable licensed orthodontists at Brodie Bowman Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthpedics. Our orthodontists will advise you to attain an orthodontic mouthguard for your child. The mouthguard will offer maximum protection and will act as a precautionary measure from sports-related injuries. Whether it’s hockey, rugby, football, or a different sport, a mouthguard is essential to protect the orthodontic work done on their teeth.

What is an Orthodontic Mouthguard?

An orthodontic mouthguard is ideal for protecting braces during intense activities such as sports. They are made of silicone, which means they are more comfortable than the regular sports mouthguards that are hard and plastic. An orthodontic mouthguard is also relatively bigger to accommodate the braces, the teeth, and the gums. Our dental experts don’t recommend you substitute an orthodontic mouthguard for the sports mouthguard because it may not fit.

Where Can You Find an Orthodontic Mouthguard?

These mouthguards are available at any sporting center but it’s best you order from our office so that we can run some tests and issue the most suitable one for your child. You should consider an orthodontic mouthguard that fits and protects your teen’s lips as well.

When Should You Replace a Mouthguard? 

Your teen’s mouthguard may start to crack if used for a long time. The cracks can be breeding areas for bacteria and germs. Thus, you should replace them right away, but you have to let our orthodontists know first.

Braces are one step to achieving the perfect smile your teen has always desired. However, their pursuit of happiness with a bright smile doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the other aspects of life like playing sports. Contact our offices today to schedule your consultation! We have offices conveniently located in Fort Walton and Niceville, FL.