Yes, with some precautions, clear aligners allow participation in most sports, band, and other activities:
- Remove aligners for contact sports – Take out aligners during higher risk of hits/impacts to prevent damaging or swallowing.
- Use a mouthguard over aligners – For sports like basketball or lacrosse with ball contact, wear a custom mouthguard over your aligners for sufficient protection.
- Avoid chewing mouthguards – Don’t continuously bite down on mouthguards as this can distort aligner shape over time.
- Remove aligners for wind instruments – Take aligners out when playing flute, trumpet, clarinet, etc. to maintain proper embouchure and reduce whistling.
- Rinse afterward – After sporting events or practice, clean your teeth and rinse aligners well before reinserting.
What are the advantages of clear aligners over traditional braces?
With some thoughtful precautions, aligners allow active lifestyles and continued participation in enjoyable hobbies throughout orthodontic care. Just be sure to remove aligners or add protective layers when needed.
