Does your child love shooting hoops with their friends at your local basketball court? Do they love competitive swimming to beat the summer heat while remaining active? Maybe they love playing volleyball on the beach. Naturally, you don’t want to prevent them from burning off some of that never ending energy or spending time with their friends, but is it safe to play sports with braces? To learn the answer, read on!
So, Can Your Child Play Sports with Braces?
In short, the answer is yes! The start of their orthodontic treatment won’t mean the end of their time playing sports. Of course, there will be a few adjustments that need to be made to ensure they don’t experience an orthodontic emergency or fall off-track with their treatment timeline.
How You Can Protect Their Smile from Harm
Naturally, you don’t want your child to experience a broken bracket or knocked-out tooth. After all, dental injuries and orthodontic emergencies can be stressful to handle and cause your child to feel hesitant about participating in sports moving forward. With this in mind, encourage them to:
- Wear a mouthguard, even if their sport of choice is a non-contact one.
- Indulge in sports and energy drinks sparingly.
- Avoid unhealthy dental habits, like nail-biting.
- Eat a nutrient-dense diet that’s low in sugary foods and beverages.
What to Do If Your Child Does Experience an Orthodontic Emergency
If your child does accidentally break a bracket or a wire, do your best to help them remain calm. Priority number one is to assess the situation. Once you have a better understanding of the damage, call their orthodontist’s office. Over the phone, their knowledgeable team members can help you determine the next best steps and pencil your child in for the next available appointment. That way, it’s not long until their pain-free smile is restored, and they are back on track with their treatment plan.
If your child loves being active, don’t worry – braces won’t prevent them from participating in sports. Just make sure to do your part to help protect their smile while they are out on the field or court. That way, you minimize their chances of experiencing a stressful or painful orthodontic emergency!
About the Practice
Our team at Simply Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is here to help with everything from the installation of traditional braces to the treatment of common orthodontic emergencies. Of course, we want to do our best to help you and your child prevent the latter, which is why we share tips like these. If you want to learn more about life with braces or you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (603) 635-1166 to talk to our knowledgeable team.