A lot of people wonder if teeth straighteners like Invisalign® and playing sports are compatible. If you are active and involved in sports, you might think teeth straighteners and physical activity cannot mix. But many older teens and adults successfully use Invisalign while continuing to play sports. You may not want to choose between improving your appearance and oral health and playing the sport you love. There are several reasons why Invisalign is a good fit for active people.
The dentist uses a program that digitally maps the patient’s teeth. The digital program creates a comfortable fit. Invisalign aligners fit over the teeth and should not move around. The dentist may also use enamel-colored attachments to ensure the aligners stay in place. Patients can and should wear a mouthguard over the Invisalign trays to protect both themselves and the aligners.
People can take their Invisalign aligners out with fingers or with a specialized tool. This allows them to eat and drink as needed. After cleaning the teeth, the aligners go back in. Athletes need to eat and drink often to keep up energy and stamina, and Invisalign trays can accommodate that.
Traditional braces require brackets on the teeth. These brackets can rub the cheeks and inside of the lips and create sores and ulcers. In close contact, athletes could suffer a mouth wound as a result of the braces. Invisalign does not need any brackets or poking wires. This reduces the chances of an injury to the mouth and makes close-contact play safer.
Another benefit to wearing Invisalign while playing sports is that repairs are less likely. Impact to the mouth while wearing traditional braces can cause brackets to break. Wires and rubber bands frequently pop out of place. Making repairs to these parts can be costly and could mean additional time in the dentist’s chair. This kind of damage can happen with traditional braces, even with a mouthguard.
Mouthguards protect the teeth and lips. Sports mouthguards can even prevent the dangerous side effects of sudden and hard impacts to the head and neck. Many sports require that athletes use mouthguards. Most less expensive mouthguards do not work well with traditional braces but do work with Invisalign. Fitting a mouthguard properly is much easier with Invisalign. Wearing a mouthguard correctly is essential to providing greater safety during play.
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Every minute counts with Invisalign. The more you can stick to the required number of hours of wear, the better. Keeping Invisalign in while practicing and playing maximizes wear time. It ensures that you will stay on track with progression. Invisalign alone will not protect from impact, but it will allow you to wear the right safety gear. With Invisalign, you will not have to choose between your sport and your oral health.
Request an appointment or call Smile Center Dental Care at 253-336-0023 for an appointment in our Federal Way office.
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