Can Invisalign Braces Double Up as a Rugby Mouthguard?

If your child has started to wear Invisalign braces, then you may not be sure what happens to the trays when your child plays rugby. The fact that these braces are removable makes them look a bit like mouthguards, so you're wondering if your child could just wear the braces when they play.

Is this a good idea?

Invisalign Trays Aren't Mouthguards

Invisalign trays may look like they protect the teeth like a mouthguard, but this isn't their job. The trays your teen wears are there to move their teeth; these braces aren't there to protect the teeth.

If your child wears their trays when they play rugby, then their teeth will not be protected. If they have an accident on the pitch that affects their mouth area, then their teeth will still be at risk. Invisalign trays are relatively flexible and light-weight. This is why so many people like wearing them. However, they aren't designed to stand up to a ball or accidental hit in the face.

Your child also runs the risk of damaging one or both of their trays if they wear them to play. Your child may come out of a scrum with their teeth intact, but their braces may be bent or broken.

Invisalign Trays Don't Work Under a Mouthguard

You know that your teen should wear their Invisalign braces most of the time. You may be worried that taking the trays out to play rugby stops your child from wearing their braces as much as they should on a game day. You may think that you can get around this by getting your child to wear a rugby mouthguard over their trays. This way, the trays stay in and your child gets oral protection.

This won't work. Invisalign trays are not meant to be covered by mouthguards. You're unlikely to find a mouthguard that will fit over the braces so that your child's teeth get optimum protection.

Doubling up with a mouthguard on top of Invisalign trays makes both the mouthguard and the trays redundant. A sports mouthguard needs to fit closely to the teeth to protect them. It can't do this if it sits on top of braces.

Plus, the mouthguard might put the wrong kind of pressure on the trays and affect their shape. This affects the way they work.

So, your child should remove their braces and wear a specialist mouthguard when they play. If your child plays a lot of rugby, talk to your dentist about the best way for them to manage their tray schedules on sporting days.


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