Does your child love playing soccer with their friends on the weekends? Maybe they are a part of their school’s football, basketball, cheer, or dance team. Whatever the case may be, it’s natural to wonder if orthodontic treatment will get in the way, especially if sports are a big part of your child’s life. To learn the answer, keep reading!
Can My Child Play Sports with Braces?
Yes, your child can play sports with braces! In fact, it’s extremely common for kids to be involved in extracurricular activities like basketball, dance, and karate throughout their orthodontic treatment. While there might be a slight adjustment period at first, it won’t take long for your child to barely realize their braces are there!
How to Protect Your Child’s Smile
Of course, the last thing you want is for your child to damage their teeth (or their braces) while playing sports. Not only can this be quite painful for your little one, but it can also result in a stressful trip to their orthodontist’s office. That’s why it’s best to do everything you can to help protect your child’s smile, like getting them a mouthguard! While the over-the-counter ones available at local sporting goods stores are better than nothing, they can be a choking hazard. The best course of action is to get a custom-made one from their orthodontist. That way, your child’s teeth and braces get the most protection while they are out on the field, court, or stage.
What Happens If Your Child Does Experience an Orthodontic Emergency?
Ideally, your child will go through their entire teeth-straightening journey without any orthodontic emergencies. If one does arise, then priority number one is to assess the damage. Uncontrollable bleeding, difficulty swallowing, and trouble breathing are all potentially life-threatening symptoms that require immediate medical attention. So, if your child is experiencing one, it’s crucial that you call 911 or head to your nearest ER. If, on the other hand, their orthodontic emergency is more “straightforward,” like a broken bracket or loose wire, then call their orthodontist right away.
The good news is that the start of orthodontic treatment doesn’t need to be the end of your child’s days playing sports! If you have any questions about how to protect their teeth and braces while they are participating, don’t hesitate to talk to their orthodontist.
About the Practice
Dr. Sadaf Mostafavian and Dr. Sam Alkhoury are two exceptional orthodontists who are passionate about helping patients in Derry and Hudson achieve their smile goals. As a result, patients of all ages can turn to Simply Orthodontics for their treatment, whether it’s traditional braces, discreet clear aligners, or something in between. If you have a question about what you can and can’t do with braces or would like to schedule a consultation for your child, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (603) 889-1100.