What You Should Know About Wearing Invisalign® While Playing Sports

Engaging in sports and maintaining orthodontic treatment might seem like a challenge, but with modern innovations like Invisalign® in Pompano Beach, athletes can confidently pursue their passions while aligning their smiles. Let's take a deeper look into the considerations of wearing Invisalign during sports when it's suitable and the benefits it offers.

Invisalign and Sports

Can You Wear Invisalign If You Practice Sports?

Yes, you can wear Invisalign® aligners while participating in sports. Unlike traditional braces with brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners are designed to be removable, allowing athletes the flexibility to continue their activities without major disruption. However, there are some considerations to take into account.  

When You Should and Shouldn’t Wear Invisalign During Sports

When You Can Keep Your Aligners During Sports

In most cases, wearing your Invisalign aligners while engaging in sports is a suitable choice, similar to wearing them throughout your daily routine. This is applicable to a variety of sports, including non-contact and low-impact activities such as jogging, cycling, tennis and gymnastics.  

When Should You Not Wear Your Aligners During Sports

In certain contact sports like wrestling or American football where there's a higher risk of facial impact, wearing a specialized mouthguard is recommended for additional protection. In these cases, you can remove your aligners during the game and replace them afterward.

Benefits of Invisalign for Athletes

• Smooth and Comfortable: The aligners are designed to be comfortable, minimizing the risk of irritation during sports.
• No Metal Brackets: Invisalign aligners lack metal components, reducing the potential for oral injuries that could result from impacts
• Easy Maintenance: Cleaning your aligners and maintaining oral hygiene is straightforward, even after a sports session.

Working Out, Running, and Hydration With Invisalign

Gym sessions and runs are a different story from team sports. Aligners are safe for most workouts, but a few habits make a difference:

• Stick to water: Sports drinks, energy drinks, and flavored waters are high in sugar, and sipping them with aligners can trap sugar against your teeth. Take your aligners out for anything other than water.
• Watch your breathing: Heavy breathing can dry your mouth, so keep a water bottle handy and rinse your aligners if they feel sticky afterward.
• Protect them when they’re out: Never wrap aligners in a napkin or towel, since that’s how they get thrown away by accident. Keep a case in your gym bag.

Remember that aligners are meant to be worn roughly 20-22 hours a day, so don’t leave them out for longer than your activity requires.

Mouthguards, Retainers, and Aligner Fit

Because your teeth are constantly moving, a mouthguard that fits well at the start of treatment may not fit a few months in. If you play contact sports, ask us about a custom mouthguard designed for your treatment stage. The same goes for retainers: if you wear one, ask your dentist whether it should stay in or come out during play.

Playing Instruments and Teen Athletes

Many teens ask whether they can play sports or an instrument with Invisalign. For most, the answer is yes, with a short adjustment period. Wind and brass players may notice a slight change in how their mouth feels at first, and some prefer to remove aligners during practice and put them back in afterward. Teens in sports can follow the same guidelines as adults: aligners in for non-contact activity, and a proper mouthguard for anything with impact. Talk to us about your specific instrument or sport so we can tailor the advice.

Enjoy the Benefits of Invisalign in Pompano Beach!

Here at Park Plaza Dental, our experienced team offers Invisalign treatments tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're an athlete looking to align your smile or require guidance on aligner use during sports, don’t hesitate to contact us today for a consultation!

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*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.