Orthodontic treatment is the correction of Irregularly placed teeth in the oral cavity or teeth with spaces in between. There are many questions which patients have regarding what can and what cannot be done while wearing Teeth Braces – Metal braces or Ceramic Braces. Orthodontic treatment is a prolonged treatment which can take anywhere between 6 months to 18 months or more depending on the difficulty and the type of malocclusion. The latest type of Orthodontic Treatment which is gaining popularity is the use of “Dental Aligners” or more popularly known as Invisalign (company which pioneered it).
- Precautions to be taken while wearing Aligners or Invisalign or Invisible Braces
Some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Braces surrounds physical activities as majority of the patients who go for Orthodontic treatment are of Younger age, and sports or physical activities are a major part of their day to day life. Here are some of the most common doubts around Water Sports and Wearing braces.
1. Can I enjoy water sports while wearing braces?
Yes you can enjoy watersports while wearing braces, but certain precautions need to be taken. Do not Dive in or play contact sports in the water. During diving, due to the impact of the dive the braces might press against your Lips or cheeks and can lead to trauma. So regular swimming can be done while wearing Metal or Ceramic braces but just certain precautions need to be taken.
2. Can I wear braces continuously for hours in swimming pools?
Yes, you can spend long durations of time in Swimming pools or Lakes or the Sea/Ocean as the materials used in braces are immune to rust. There are three Types of Braces – Metal, Ceramic and Aligners which are made up of different materials to make sure that they are rust free in any kind of environment.
Metal braces are made of materials such as Titanium, Aluminum, silicon, Carbon, Molybdenum, Nickel, and Chromium alloys. Chromium is the material which makes metal braces resistant to Rust.
Ceramic braces are made up of materials such as porcelain, clay, glass and plastic making it Rust free and giving it the white to transparent appearance.
Dental Aligners are made of thermoplastic materials such as – Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PET-G), polypropylene, polycarbonate (PC), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), ethylene vinyl acetate, etc. Making them rust resistant when used in Swimming pools.
Many patients have the fear of loosing aligners in water while swimming, but it is very rare as the Aligners are custom made to the patients size.
The Arch wires (wire used to apply force on the brackets) are of three types based on material used – Stainless Steel, Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) and Beta Titanium. All three materials are rust resistant.
3. Can I wear braces during Scuba Diving or Snorkeling ?
Yes you can wear braces while scuba driving, but while wearing the scuba gear can cause a little discomfort as it presses against your lips and cheek to keep an air tight seal. This can lead to discomfort as your cheeks and lips can be pressed in between the mouthpiece of the scuba mask and the braces. Apart from this there are no restrictions of going for scuba diving while having braces.
References:
Science Direct – link
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