Students are almost back in school, which means that fall sports will be starting soon. Did you know that sports-related mouth and jaw injuries are among the most common among athletes? Because of the increased risk of oral injuries, including mouth lacerations, if you are hit by a ball or another player while wearing braces, it is critical to protect your smile while participating in sports.
When participating in sports such as basketball, football, hockey, skateboarding, soccer, martial arts, wrestling, boxing, and even track and field, there is always the risk of injury.
When braces are worn, even non-contact sports or recreational activities can increase the risk of laceration injury. As a result, Hallgren Orthodontics advises all patients who participate in sports to wear mouthguards.
What is a mouthguard, exactly?
A mouthguard is a flexible, shock-absorbing appliance that fits over all of the top teeth to protect the teeth and lower jaw from breaking and prevents you from accidentally biting your lips, tongue, or cheeks. A powerful blow to the face could cause mouth and joint injuries.
You can participate in any sport while wearing braces, but your risk of laceration injury increases. There are numerous types of mouthguards available, but only a few are recommended for those of you who wear braces. The main difference is that an orthodontic mouthguard must fit snugly, be removable or flexible to adjust, and be able to fit over braces.
Injury Prevention
Reduce your chances of suffering a mouth injury while participating in sports. At your next appointment, ask about mouthguards.