Braces and Trauma
AGAN, ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Although their primary purpose is to improve oral health by properly aligning teeth, we have learned from treating patients at our Eagan orthodontics office over the years that braces have a broader range of benefits.
Particular occasions where Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth has seen braces come to the rescue are in sporting accidents, says the Eagan orthodontist.
The brackets and wires- or clear plastic aligners for our Eagan Invisalign patients- have helped prevent teeth from being knocked out on several occasions.
“We are huge advocates for children who are involved in youth sports wearing mouth guards,” says the Eagan braces expert. “In fact, we fit our patients for mouth guards and remind parents to bring them in each school year so they can be checked to ensure that they still fit properly.”
But when we mention instances in which orthodontic appliances have helped prevent patients from losing a tooth or teeth, we’re talking about spur-of-the-moment incidents, such as getting hit in the mouth with a ball during a physical education class, by a wayward ball while watching a sporting event, or wrestling and playing around with friends.
“We certainly don’t expect our patients to wear a mouth guard when they’re just a spectator,” Eisenhuth says. “So on those odd occasions when our patients have been hit by a ball that they never saw coming, it turns out that it was a good thing they were wearing braces at the time.”
Sometimes orthodontic appliances- even Invisalign aligners- help provide enough structure, as well as a slight buffer from trauma, says Eisenhuth, who also is an Eagan invisible braces provider.
A protective mouth guard is a must-have piece of equipment when you’re participating in sports and other activities that may result in injury to your mouth, jaw or lips. If you get hit in the mouth by something, a mouth guard will prevent your lips from getting pressed into your teeth or braces.
“We have seen lips get cut by patients’ teeth or braces when they’ve been hit by a ball or otherwise hit in the mouth,” Eisenhuth says.
Your dentist can suggest an appropriate mouth guard for when the braces are in place, or we can fit you with a custom mouth guard.
It is important to note that mouth guards should be checked periodically for proper fit while in orthodontic treatment, says the Eagan Incognito braces provider. Teeth that are shifting as a result of orthodontic treatment may cause the mouth guard to no longer fit properly.
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