Getting braces often sparks very practical questions, especially if your calendar already includes practices, games, rehearsals, or performances. Suddenly, you need to think whether braces will interfere with a soccer season, make playing the trumpet painful, or turn a favorite hobby into a daily struggle.
Braces do change how your mouth feels and functions, particularly in the early stages. But they’re designed to work alongside real life, not replace it.
With the right protection, a few smart adjustments, and help from an orthodontist in Hollywood, most patients continue playing sports and musical instruments throughout treatment.
Short answer: yes. Orthodontic treatment is built to fit into everyday routines, including sports and physical activity. In fact, staying active during braces treatment is generally encouraged. Exercise supports overall health, and braces alone rarely limit what you can participate in.
That said, braces do change how your mouth reacts to impact. Brackets and wires create additional surfaces that can rub or catch during a fall or collision. A hit that might have caused a minor bump before braces can now lead to cuts on the lips or cheeks, or damage to orthodontic hardware.
Understanding these risks ahead of time helps you take simple steps to avoid unnecessary setbacks.
Not all sports carry the same level of concern during a braces treatment.
Low-contact sports, such as running, swimming, tennis, and cycling, generally pose minimal risk. They involve little direct contact with other players, so extra protection is often optional. Accidents can still happen, but serious mouth injuries are less common.
Contact or high-impact sports—including football, basketball, hockey, soccer, wrestling, and martial arts—carry a higher chance of facial contact. They place the mouth at greater risk for impact-related injuries, making protective gear especially important.
The takeaway? Sports don’t need to stop, but safety becomes part of the routine.
If you play a contact sport, the answer is yes. A properly fitted mouthguard acts as a cushion during impact and protects multiple areas at once. It helps shield:
Without a mouthguard, a blow to the mouth can result in broken brackets, bent wires, or painful soft-tissue injuries. These issues often require extra dental visits and can slow treatment progress.
Because teeth shift throughout braces treatment, mouthguards may need to be replaced over time to maintain a proper fit and effectiveness.
Many musicians—students and professionals alike—play instruments while wearing braces. The biggest challenge is the adjustment period, not long-term performance.
Most players notice changes early on, followed by steady improvement as the mouth adapts.
Brass instruments like trumpets and trombones, along with some woodwinds, involve direct contact between the lips, teeth, and mouthpiece.
Early challenges may include:
These effects are common and usually temporary.
Helpful strategies include:
With time, most players regain their normal sound and stamina.
Braces may change how you practice for a while, but not whether you can play.
Brackets rubbing against the lips or cheeks can cause irritation, especially during sports or when playing instruments.
Next time you have a mouth sore or irritation, try one of the following treatments:
Issues often lessen as the mouth becomes accustomed to braces.
Sports-related contact can loosen brackets or bend wires.
If this happens:
Quick attention helps prevent bigger problems later.
Some patients, particularly musicians, notice mild changes in their speech or breath control early in their braces treatment.
Brackets and wires can temporarily alter how the tongue, lips, and airflow work together, which may affect articulation or breath support at first. The changes are normal and usually short-lived.
As the mouth adjusts and muscles learn new patterns, speech and breath control tend to improve, and confidence naturally returns with regular use and practice.
Communication helps, too. Let coaches or instructors know you’re adjusting to braces; they’re often more understanding than expected.
Most importantly, remember this: the adjustment phase doesn’t last forever. Confidence usually returns once braces feel like part of the routine.
Reach out if you experience:
Orthodontic care is easier to stick with when it supports your daily routine, and a few practical adjustments can help prevent more significant issues later.
Braces should work around your practices, games, and performances, not the other way around. Our team at TLC Dental helps patients stay active while keeping treatment on track. Book an appointment to talk through your goals and next steps!
