Can You Box With Braces?

Most dentists recommend avoiding boxing while wearing braces, but you can box safely if you buy a custom mouthguard from a trusted manufacturer like Infinitude Fight or have your Orthodontist make one for you. Most promotions and authorities require boxers to have a letter from the Orthodontist or a signed waiver confirming they are allowed to box.

There’s a huge difference between what you see on TV and what a boxer experiences inside the ring. The potential for injuries in boxing is very high, and bleeding gums is the least that you might face. Being the primary area for scoring knockouts, your face is targeted several times and hit a substantial number of times throughout the match. So, while you’re bound to have bleeding gum, boxing with braces on can cause broken teeth or significant cuts in the mouth. Although most boxing federations and governing bodies allow boxing with braces, the best suggestion is to wait until your orthodontic procedure is completed.

Safety Measures You Must Take When Boxing with Braces

Braces are an external addition to your teeth, making them vulnerable to damage and breaks, especially when sparring or in competition. Wearing proper protection and altering your training routine can help you enjoy boxing safely.

Use an Orthodontic Mouthguard

Using an adequately fitted orthodontic mouthguard is the best defense against injury. Unlike regular mouthguards, orthodontic options are specifically designed to accommodate braces, providing ample space and cushioning to shield your brackets, wires, and teeth during high-impact sports like boxing. They reduce the chances of cuts and prevent damage to brackets during impact.

Headgear for Sparring Sessions

Although open-face head guards are the most commonly used type in boxing, you can use cheek protection or full-face types to add an extra layer of protection for your braces during training. Full-face headgear covers the mouth, jaw, and cheeks, reducing the force of hits and minimizing the chances of your braces getting damaged or causing injuries to your opponent. Headgear ensures you can train confidently, knowing your orthodontic treatment is protected.

Switch to Non-Contact Boxing Drills

During your braces treatment, it’s safer to focus on non-contact drills like bag work, shadowboxing, and pad exercises. These techniques improve your skills without the risks of direct punches to the face. Avoid full-contact sparring until your orthodontist confirms it’s safe.

Apply Orthodontic Wax

When boxing, the constant movement and pressure can cause the brackets to rub against the cheeks, lips, and gums, leading to sores or cuts. Applying an Orthodontic wax over these areas provides a smooth surface, reducing friction and making training sessions more comfortable. It acts as a protective barrier, especially during intense workouts, and is easy to apply and remove as needed. Regular use of wax ensures that minor irritations don’t turn into painful injuries, helping you stay focused on training.

Risks of Boxing After Braces

Boxing must be the worst sports choice when wearing braces since it involves punching your opponent in the face as hard as possible. Wearing an orthodontic mouth guard will surely reduce the risks of injury, but repetitive strikes to your chin will bypass that shield, too, to some extent. If you still decide to take the risk, there are some adverse outcomes you must be aware of.

Damage to Braces and Teeth

A boxing punch doesn’t just hurt your outer skin; a clean punch to the mouth or cheeks shocks your entire oral cavity. Although mouth guards disperse the shock to reduce impact, repetitive hits to the same area can knock off brackets or bend the wires on orthodontic braces, causing painful damage. Even minor impacts can disrupt your orthodontic treatment and extend the time you need to wear braces. Repairing damaged braces will add to the already high orthodontic treatment costs.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Braces contain metal components that can easily cut the inside of your mouth. When hit, the brackets and wires can scrape against the lips, cheeks, and gums, resulting in painful injuries. A light impact can cause severe cuts or sores without an adequately fitted orthodontic mouth guard.

Extended Treatment Time

If your braces are damaged during a match, it can delay your treatment progress. Each repair sets back your orthodontic timeline, meaning you might need to wear the braces longer than initially planned. This can frustrate athletes eager to complete their treatment and return to full-contact sports.

Risk to Opponents

Wearing braces without proper protection puts not only you but also your opponents at risk. If your opponent’s gloves make contact with your broken or unprotected braces, it can result in cuts or bruises for them as well. Injuries like these can cause discomfort and increase tension between fighters, disrupting training sessions.

Final Words – Ensure Dental Safety with the Right Mouthguard for Braces

Do you really need a custom mouthguard for braces? Yes, unless you’re craving to spend a hefty amount of money on replacing your teeth. Since braces take up space and significantly change the dimensions of your teeth, regular mouthguards won’t offer the best protection. You must get a custom mouthguard that is fitted to your unique grin.

Contact your orthodontist and have him design an orthodontic mouth guard that perfectly fits the dimensions of your gums. These guards are designed to fit over braces, providing comfort and protection. Infinitude Fight offers top-quality custom mouthguards made for athletes with braces. Designed for comfort and durability, our mouthguards ensure your orthodontic treatment stays on track while you box with confidence. Don’t compromise on safety—explore our range of custom mouthguards and gear up for your next sparring session!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a boil and bite mouthguard with braces?

Because your teeth are in continuous movement during Orthodontic treatment, wearing a boil-and-bite mouthguard that molds to your teeth is not a good idea. It may also get stuck in your braces and cause damage.

Can you fight in the UFC with braces?

UFC fighters are not allowed to wear braces due to safety regulations. You must be medically cleared without braces to compete in a professional bout.

Can Invisalign be used during boxing instead of traditional braces?

Invisalign aligners are not recommended for boxing since they can crack under impact and offer minimal protection compared to traditional braces with a mouthguard.

What is the most common injury while boxing with braces?

The most frequent injury is soft tissue damage, including cuts on the lips or cheeks caused by metal brackets during impact.

Can you join a boxing gym with braces?

You can train in a boxing gym with braces. Just ensure you wear an orthodontic mouthguard during training and sparring sessions to protect your braces and teeth from injury.

Can braces worsen jaw injuries in boxing?

Poorly fitted or shifting braces can amplify jaw injuries, especially if the impact force travels through misaligned brackets.