Can You Play Football with Braces?

The lights are bright, the crowd is cheering, and you can’t wait to run onto that field. Football season is here and you’re ready to get back to it. The grueling practices are worth it when you help lead your team to victory, and you can’t beat the comradery that comes with being part of a team.

There’s just one thing that’s holding you back from absolute excitement…your braces. Things are going to be different now, and you may be wondering if you’ll even be able to play this year. So, can you still play football with braces? Yes! But, you will need to be careful. Let us help you prepare for a successful football season with your braces.

Protecting Your Braces When Playing Football

Braces help to guide the teeth into their proper positions within the mouth, so while your braces are doing their work, you’ll need to be doing yours. Understanding the importance of protecting your braces is the first step in preparing for the season ahead. It is imperative to protect your braces, not only during games but also during practice. Many injuries can occur on or off the field but having braces that aren’t protected can turn a minor injury into a more substantial one. You don’t have to give up what you love because you have braces. Just a few small tweaks can ensure a successful sports season with braces.

First and foremost, always be mindful of your braces. Remember you have them now and that you need to be a little more careful. It’s a good idea to request an orthodontic mouthguard from your orthodontist to protect your braces during practice and on the field. This type of mouthguard is made to work with braces and differs from traditional mouthguards. Also, speak with your orthodontist and keep them in the loop about your sports commitments and practice schedule. This can help them come up with a plan to keep your braces in tip-top shape all season long.

What to Do if You Get a Football Injury With Braces

Sometimes, even though we are extremely cautious, accidents can happen and emergency care is needed. If this happens to you, it’s important to call your dentist followed by your orthodontist as soon as possible so they can evaluate the damage and come up with a plan to fix it. Your dentist will check to be sure that there aren’t any injuries to the teeth. By taking inventory of what needs to be repaired or replaced right away, you decrease your chances of delaying your treatment too much or having long-term issues with a tooth that may have had trauma.

Your Smile Is Important

Your smile is going to be with you for the rest of your life. Taking your orthodontic treatment seriously now can impact your results. By keeping the following in mind, you’ll have peace of mind when you step out onto the field:

• Realize the importance of protecting your smile.
• Be mindful of your braces.
• Wear your specialized orthodontic mouthguard.
• Call your orthodontist immediately in the event of an injury.

Follow these helpful tips and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying another football season now, and in the future, a spectacular smile. So, get out there and make your team proud! We’re rooting for you!

The team at Charleston Orthodontic Specialists is ready to help you have a winning season with braces. Call (843) 4-BRACES to get started today!