Clear Aligners for Athletes: Sports, Mouthguards and Game Day

Clear aligner treatment doesn't mean sitting out the season. Whether you're playing Friday night football, coaching Little League or training for a 10K, aligners fit around an active life — as long as you know when to wear them and when to swap them for a mouthguard.

For running, cycling, weightlifting, yoga, tennis and most gym workouts, keep your aligners in. They don't restrict breathing and the time counts toward your 20 to 22 daily hours. Drink plain water during workouts; sports drinks go against your teeth only with the trays out.

For football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, hockey, lacrosse, martial arts and other sports where a hit to the face is likely, take your aligners out and wear a mouthguard. A thin plastic tray isn't designed to absorb impact, and a hard blow can crack it or cut your lips and gums.

• A custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist fits best, but it will need to be remade as your teeth move. Ask your provider about the right option during treatment.
• Boil-and-bite guards are an affordable stopgap and can be refitted as your teeth change.
• Put your aligners back in as soon as the game or practice ends.

• Pack your aligner case, a travel toothbrush and a water bottle in your gear bag.
• Remove aligners in the locker room, not on the sideline, so they don't get lost.
• Eat your pregame meal with the trays out, brush or rinse, then decide: trays back in for warmups, or mouthguard if it's a contact sport.
• Keep the case out of a hot car — Oklahoma summer heat can warp the plastic.

You can usually wear aligners while swimming laps or playing in the pool; rinse them afterward. Take them out for scuba diving, since you need to grip a regulator mouthpiece, and for water polo or other contact water sports.

Sports drinks, gels and chews are sugary and acidic. Take the trays out, consume them, rinse with water, and put the trays back in. Sipping sports drinks with aligners in keeps sugar pressed against your teeth for the whole session.

Most athletes lose aligner time in small chunks — a long tournament, a two-a-day practice schedule, a road trip to an away game. If you're going to be out of your trays for a long stretch, tell your provider. They may suggest wearing each set a little longer to stay on track.

An Infinity Aligner certified provider can help you plan treatment around your sports season so you stay protected on the field and on schedule off it.