People who have chosen to go with Invisalign treatment may have some trepidation about playing sports. Will my Invisalign fall out? Will it break? Can I wear a gum shield? These are questions that people regularly ask themselves.

Below are some points to keep in mind so you can stay active without worrying about your aligners.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative to a metal brace. Instead of altering the aesthetics of your smile, Invisalign works with removable clear aligners that are practically invisible to the naked eye. The treatment is popular among teenagers and adults who want to retain a metal free smile without judgement from their peers or colleagues.

What sports can I play with Invisalign in?

Different sports have different intensities, contact levels and risks to the mouth.  Each sport has to be evaluated by the athlete to see whether they should keep their trays in. Below is a rough guide to help you make those decisions.

With Invisalign fitting so well there is little chance of the aligner dropping out if you take a bump or knock in sports like football or basketball. Feel free to keep your aligners in when playing sports with little contact such as:

• Football
• Tennis
• Athletics
• Basketball
• Cycling
• Gymnastics

Full contact sports bring new challenges when wearing aligners. Any forceful impact to the mouth could damage your aligner costing you money and setting your treatment back. Most sports that have high impact risks like boxing or wrestling usually require a gum shield.  If a mouth guard is required simply remove your aligners and place into your tray while you are competing. Trade your Invisalign with a gum shield in sports such as:

• Boxing
• Rugby
• Wrestling
• Martial Arts
• Polo
• Hockey

As long as you are sensible and weigh the risks appropriately your Invisalign should not get in the way of you participating in sports. If you are ever in doubt, remove your Invisalign to be on the safe side.