One of the biggest concerns many of our younger patients have when it comes to getting braces in Heath, OH is that they are going to interfere with any sports or musical instruments that they play. Is this a valid concern? Today, Dr. Jeff from Shirck Orthodontics is here to let your little athlete or musician know that there is nothing to worry about.
Playing Sports with Braces
Whether your child plays football, basketball, baseball, or any other sport, they should be able to do so to their full ability while having braces. When placed by a trained orthodontist, braces do not interfere with a child’s ability to breathe or cause excessive discomfort that could be distracting.
In fact, a large number of professional athletes had braces when they were younger to help them achieve their magazine cover-ready smiles. A prime example of this is one of the most well-known athletes in the world, soccer player Cristiano Rinaldo. Obviously, he was able to play plenty during his orthodontic treatment!
We do encourage our athletes to wear a protective mouthguard designed for orthodontics while playing, however. An athletic mouthguard shaped for braces will not only keep a patient’s teeth, lips, and braces safe from unexpected impacts, but they also have been shown to help reduce the risk of concussions.
Playing a Musical Instrument with Braces
Braces tend to be a concern particularly for children who play wind instruments, such as those from the woodwind and brass family. Does getting braces mean that your musical child is going to have to join the choir or take up the drums? Of course not!
When it comes to instruments like flute, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon, most patients feel little to no difference in how they have to play after getting braces. Trumpet, trombone, French horn, and tuba players, on the other hand, may experience a little bit of irritation on the inside of the lips while playing, but fortunately, most get used to this after a brief adjustment period.
Final Thoughts
At Shirck Orthodontics, we’re all about providing care that fits seamlessly into our patients’ lives, so if your child plays sports or an instrument and needs braces, we’ll ensure that their treatment won’t interfere. We have plenty of experience helping athletes and musicians alike, and we’re happy to answer any questions they might have at a FREE consultation.
Basically, when it comes to braces at Shirck Orthodontics, kids don’t have to worry about giving anything up, but rather gaining a new, beautiful smile. Whether they’re hitting the field or taking the stage, we’ll make sure they’re able to do it with complete confidence!
About the Author
Dr. Jeffrey Shirck is a certified orthodontist in Heath, OH. At our practice, he and our team provide a wide range of orthodontic care for patients of all ages, offering everything from traditional braces to Invisalign and more. If you’re interested in getting your child braces, we would love to meet both of you at a FREE consultation, so be sure to contact us today!