As a parent, you know that it is very important for your kids to be physically active. You might not ordinarily hear that from your orthodontist, but it is imperative for kids to get proper exercise as they grow. One way that they do that is through organized sports, whether that be baseball or basketball or football. If your child has braces, this poses a dilemma: How do you keep their braces protected during their sports season? In today’s blog post, Dr. Harrison’s team will give some tips to help make sure your child’s braces are protected.
Always Wear A Mouthguard
Not all sports require a mouthguard. In fact, most sports don’t require a mouthguard, with football being among the only youth sports where athletes must wear a mouthguard. However, for athletes with braces, a mouth guard is an absolute must. There are a lot of options for mouthguards, including having a custom mouthguard made by Dr. Harrison.
However, some cheaper options are pre-made guards and “boil-and-bite” mouthpieces. If you have questions about how a mouthguard should fit or how to properly prepare or wear one, Dr. Harrison can answer those questions.
Related Post: Parkcrest Dental Group: Does It Matter What Mouth Guard I Use?
Consider Wearing Extra Protective Gear
Depending on what sport you play, you can provide your child with extra protective gear to guard their mouth. If they play football, you can buy your kid a binky-style mouthguard, which not only protects the outside of the mouth but also covers the lips. If they play baseball or softball, you can purchase a facemask for their batting helmet at a pretty low price. Dr. Harrison can point you in the right direction of protective gear that can protect your child’s braces.
Consider Avoiding Certain Sports or Positions
Another extra step towards mouth protection is avoiding certain sports or positions in those sports. If your children are not yet committed to a sport, an option is to steer them away from more violent sports. For example, instead of tackle football, sign your kid up for flag football. You can also avoid having them play more dangerous positions.
In baseball, third base is labeled the “hot corner” because harder hit ground balls get hit in their direction and ground balls are known to take bad hops that can hit fielders in the face. In softball, third base is dangerous, but pitchers are also at some risk. However, if your child wants to pitch in softball, there are face-shields available.
Related Post: Visiting The Pediatric Dentistry Office To Protect Child Athlete’s Teeth
Contact Dr. Harrison For More Information On Sports Safety
While Dr. Harrison doesn’t want to hinder your child’s ability to play sports, he does want them to be safe playing those sports. If you have any questions or concerns about your child playing a sport with braces, please contact our office at (417) 262-5515 to schedule an appointment today or visit Parkcrest Dental’s website for more information.
