At VCO Orthodontics in Arlington Virginia, we totally understand how important and exciting sports and athletics are! Many of our patients participate on local teams and parents routinely ask us what to do to protect teeth while braces are on. Listed below are our top 3 tips for making
sports with braces simple, easy, and comfortable!
When picking a mouthguard for any contact sports, make sure you choose one made specifically for braces. Instead of getting the style that you boil to form to your teeth, find one that fits over top of the appliances comfortably and cover the teeth fully to ensure protection. Not only do we sell this style mouthguard in our office, but you can get them at any sports store such as Dick’s Sporting Goods as well.
Once you find a sports guard for braces, decide which style option will work best for you. Many of the guards come with a helmet strap for sports that require head protection. If you play a sport that does not require a helmet but find that type of guard to be most comfortable, you can simply trim off the strap with a pair of scissors! We can always see you for a simple appointment to do an in-office fitting and make any necessary adjustments to your guard as well! We are always here to help.
In addition to the mouthguard, you can also use the protectant wax that we give you for any non-contact sports to add a barrier between the teeth and cheeks or lips to be more comfortable as well. Although the wax will not help protect against any impact, it may make talking during a game more comfortable so that your cheeks do not rub against the brackets. If you ever need more wax during treatment, just ask an assistant and we can hook you up!
Enjoy the game while working on that picture-perfect smile at the same time! Don’t let braces slow you down when it comes to sports!
Updated: Mar 14, 2021
When you first step into VCO Orthodontics in Arlington, VA you may expect to find braces galore, however, would you anticipate COOKIES? That’s right, freshly baked cookies made multiple times daily are one of the many ways we at VCO Orthodontics like to keep our office kid friendly & FUN! Worried about sugar at a dental office? No worries! Our open access brushing station has you covered!
Along with cookies, you may also notice our colorful world map in the waiting area. Filled with an array of patients pinned all over the world, our fun monkey travel map is another way our patients enjoy our office! If you or your entire family have a fun vacation coming up, make sure to mention it during your visit in order to take a mascot monkey with you! Snap a fun photo on your trip with the monkey, email it to us, and you too can join all the fun on the board! Take a peek at the map at your next visit to check out if anyone else has been to your upcoming vacation destination!
Curious about our rewards station standing near the fun travel map? Ask one of our staff members the different ways you can earn points at each of your visits to start building for a prize! By doing a great job brushing your teeth, making it to each appointment on time, and following our Instagram and Facebook pages, you can earn enough points for a reward in no time! Our prizes change often, so be sure to check the tower at each visit to see what’s new!
We can’t wait for you to join all the fun when you come into our office! Our consultations are NO charge if you’re a new patient, so call today to schedule your first visit! We hope with our service and treatment to help bring your smile to life! :)
Are you considering braces but concerned with the cosmetic impact of having metal in your mouth? Fear no more! VCO in Arlington, Virginia is the ONLY provider of lingual, or hidden, braces! Unlike the traditional braces, these invisible braces goes on the inside of the teeth, making them completely hidden from plain sight!
Along with the cosmetic benefits of hidden braces, these special brackets work just as quickly as traditional braces, making them more efficient than clear aligner treatments! Another perk of this treatment style is how easy it is to maintain good oral hygiene; not only are you able to brush more easily, but flossing is a breeze! Instead of having to use special flossers like you would with standard braces, you can use regular floss to get in between the teeth without damaging any appliances!
Similar to standard braces, expect to have an adjustment period as you get familiar with having something new added to your smile. While the braces are on, you will want to avoid really crunchy foods that may pop the braces off, or any sticky foods that will be hard to clean off of the braces (we know, we know, popcorn and taffy candies are going to be hard to put down!) It may also take a few days or weeks to adjust to speaking with the braces, however, the temporary adjustment period is TOTALLY worth the end results!
We are sure you will love hidden braces if you’re looking for an efficient treatment option that offers ideal results while also being esthetically pleasing during the process! Schedule for your FREE consultation today to see if hidden braces are a good choice for you!
