Medically Reviewed by Esteem Dental And Orthodontic Team on November 6, 2025
Sports season brings excitement, team spirit, and plenty of physical activity for young athletes. However, if your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners, you may worry about how athletic participation could impact their progress or oral health.
At Esteem Dental, we understand that active children shouldn’t have to choose between achieving a beautiful smile and participating in the sports they love. Our experienced team helps families navigate orthodontic care while maintaining an active lifestyle, ensuring your child’s treatment stays on track throughout every season.
Why Sports and Orthodontics Need Special Attention
Orthodontic treatment requires consistent care and protection, especially during physical activities. Traditional braces create additional surfaces in the mouth that can cause injury during contact sports or unexpected impacts. Metal brackets and wires can cut the inside of the mouth, lips, or tongue if your child experiences a blow to the face during athletic activities.
Clear aligners present different challenges during sports participation. While they don’t have sharp edges like traditional braces, they can be easily lost or damaged if removed during games or practices. Additionally, some young athletes may feel tempted to remove their aligners more frequently than recommended, which can slow treatment progress.
The good news is that with proper preparation and protective measures, your child can safely participate in sports while maintaining their orthodontic treatment timeline. Taking proactive steps helps prevent both dental injuries and treatment delays.
Essential Protection for Young Athletes with Braces
Custom-fitted mouthguards provide the most effective protection for children with braces during sports activities. Unlike over-the-counter options, professionally fitted mouthguards accommodate the unique shape and positioning of orthodontic appliances. We recommend having mouthguards adjusted regularly as treatment progresses and teeth move into new positions.
For contact sports like football, hockey, or basketball, mouthguard use becomes absolutely essential. Even non-contact sports can pose risks – a basketball to the face or a collision with another player can happen in any sport. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends children see the orthodontist by age 7, and by the time many children begin serious sports participation, they may already be in active treatment.
Soft wax application before games and practices can provide additional comfort and protection. The wax creates a barrier between brackets and the soft tissues of the mouth, reducing the likelihood of cuts or irritation during physical activity. Keep extra wax available in your child’s sports bag for quick applications as needed.
Parents should also consider scheduling orthodontic appointments around important games or tournaments. While regular adjustments are necessary for treatment progress, timing them strategically can help minimize any initial discomfort during crucial athletic events.
Managing Clear Aligners During Athletic Activities
Children using clear aligners face unique considerations during sports season. The removable nature of aligners can be both an advantage and a challenge during athletic participation. While aligners can be removed to prevent damage during contact sports, this flexibility requires careful planning and responsibility from young athletes.
Establish a consistent routine for aligner management during sports activities. Your child should remove aligners immediately before games or practices and store them in their protective case – never wrapped in napkins or left loose in sports bags. Consider purchasing multiple protective cases so your child always has a clean, safe storage option available.
Work with your child to track wearing time carefully during sports season. Aligners must be worn 20-22 hours daily for effective treatment, so time spent out of aligners during sports should be minimized and accounted for. Some athletes choose to wear aligners during less intense practices or individual training sessions when the risk of impact is lower.
Communication with coaches can help ensure your child’s orthodontic needs are respected and accommodated. Most coaches appreciate parents who communicate medical or dental considerations upfront, allowing them to support the child’s overall health while maintaining team participation.
Post-Game Orthodontic Care Routines
Developing consistent post-activity oral hygiene routines becomes even more important during sports season. Physical exertion can lead to increased bacterial growth in the mouth, and orthodontic appliances can trap food particles and plaque more easily than natural teeth alone.
Pack a travel oral hygiene kit for your child to use immediately after games or practices. The kit should include:
- Travel-sized toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Interdental brushes or floss threaders for cleaning around brackets
- Antibacterial mouthwash
- Orthodontic wax for emergency comfort
- Case for aligner storage (if applicable)
Encourage your child to rinse with water immediately after sports activities, even if they cannot brush right away. This simple step helps remove food debris and bacteria while reducing the risk of cavities and gum irritation. Schedule thorough brushing and flossing as soon as possible after returning home.
Monitor your child’s mouth regularly for signs of irritation, loose brackets, or other concerns that may arise during active seasons. Early detection and prompt professional attention can prevent minor issues from becoming major treatment setbacks.
Trust Esteem Dental for Sports-Safe Orthodontic Care
At Esteem Dental, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to participate fully in athletics while achieving their best smile. Our comprehensive approach to pediatric dentistry and orthodontic care considers the whole child, including their extracurricular activities and lifestyle needs. We work closely with families to develop personalized protection strategies that keep treatment on track throughout sports seasons.
Our experienced team provides the guidance, custom protective devices, and ongoing support your family needs to navigate orthodontic treatment successfully. From emergency repair appointments to sports-specific mouthguard fittings, we’re here to ensure your child’s smile goals and athletic dreams work together harmoniously. Contact us today to learn more about protecting your child’s orthodontic investment during sports season.
Dr. Jordan Jones, DDS
Dr. Jordan Jones leads the experienced team at Esteem Dental, providing comprehensive family dental care to the Winter Garden and Lake Nona communities. With a focus on general dentistry, pediatric care, and orthodontics, Dr. Jones combines advanced techniques with a compassionate approach to ensure every patient receives personalized, quality treatment in a comfortable environment.
✓ Medically Reviewed
