Many athletes and active individuals worry about choosing clear braces or traditional braces for their dental alignment. Most people in very active residential areas want to use orthodontic gear that does not restrict their movement and allows them to perform their daily activities freely.
Finding the sweet spot here will help keep oral health in check while allowing an active lifestyle to coexist sensibly and healthily. Smiles+Grins is your best Manhattan braces clinic for all orthodontic treatment, and we help you decide between clear braces vs traditional braces
The Realities of Playing Sports with Braces
Braces of any kind will make it harder to perform sports. They can damage your mouth and make you adjust your daily routine. People who play contact sports might injure their mouths or teeth quite quickly. People who play non-contact sports also need to consider how their dental routine fits with the restrictions of the sport.
So athletes and physically active individuals have to put these factors into consideration when choosing their preferred braces. Smiles+Grins is well aware of these worries and has a range of braces options and advice on how to manage orthodontics and an active, sporty lifestyle.
Clear Braces on the Field and in the Gym
Clear braces are often made from explicit materials, such as ceramic or aligners, and they have an advantage in active environments due to their subtle appearance and versatility. This helps build confidence during team photography or competition. Athletes appreciate how they blend in. Also, clear braces have the advantage of being removable when one wants to get in the action, either in the gym or on the field.
This makes clear braces the preferred choice for teens and adults who are active and do not want many restrictions on what they eat and drink. So for most active persons, clear braces are the top choice for their flexibility and convenience.
Traditional Braces in Active Environments
Traditional metal braces can be a proven effective solution for more complex alignments, utilizing fixed brackets and wires to provide stable and effective correction. Those, however, are something that require extra precautions against cuts or loosening caused by blows in sports.
Some people find a way to work around the inconvenience and precautions. Traditional braces work well for people who have severe misalignment and do not mind the appearance.
Practical Considerations for Athletes Choosing Between the Two
There are many factors to look at as you consider clear braces vs traditional braces. These factors include duration of treatment, the cost of the procedure, and ease of maintenance or lifestyle.
Typically, clear braces are good braces for athletes because they are easier to clean, but you would need to change aligners more often. In comparison, traditional aligners require brushing your teeth well around the hardware.
Traditional braces are usually less expensive than clear braces. The difference is that when injuries occur, you might end up spending more for treatment and repair of the device.
Key considerations include:
- Damage Resistance: Clear aligners can be removed when playing contact sports, reducing potential damage.
- Less visible clear braces maintain focus on your skill over your ways of oral treatment.
- If your teeth are really misaligned, regular braces will correct them faster than clear braces.
Expert Tips for Staying Safe and Comfortable
No matter what sort of braces you get, these tips from experts will help you stay safe and comfortable.
- Wear mouth guards when playing contact sports to help protect yourself from injuries that could happen from hard hits.
- Visit the clinic for adjustments, but limit your diet to soft foods after the tightening to avoid pain during training.
- If you have orthodontic treatment, good hydration habits, like using straw sticks with traditional braces, can help prevent staining or decay.
- Apply wax to any annoying edges, and discuss your setup with coaches so they can make necessary accommodations during practices.
In conclusion
The decision between clear and regular braces for sports and active lifestyles comes down to personal priorities, whether that be the visibility, flexibility, or durability of braces. Both can nurture healthy smiles, but clear choices can have a leg up on the competition for seamless stroking, and traditional ones can deliver in heavy-duty corrections. As orthodontics becomes agile enough to follow our ever-changing schedules, we can be assured when consulting professionals that, no matter the age, the results will be positive.
This article was written for WHN by Abigail, who is a content creator who likes to share helpful information with other people.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
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