Can I Wear Invisalign During Water Sports?

I’m 34 and am now just getting around to correcting my crooked teeth. I want to do Invisalign, but I’m not sure if it’s the right choice for me because I’m very active in numerous water spots. I do long-distance swimming, some water skiing, and I teach a water aerobics class. I’m concerned about the possibility of them falling out and getting lost, as well as the damage chlorinated water can cause. Would traditional braces be better since I’m so active or can Invisalign work for me as well?

Thanks,

Anne

Dear Anne,

Invisalign is a great choice for you, even if you do water sports. Generally speaking, you should be able to leave the aligners in while swimming and doing water aerobics, but you’ll want to want to rinse them thoroughly after you finish. The aligners are typically only worn for a couple of weeks, so the elements won’t have the time to degrade them, and rinsing them afterwards should be enough to keep them fresh. Plus, the amount of chlorine in a pool is usually minimal, so even if they sat in the water for a while, it’s not likely to cause any damage.

Invisalign aligners are perfectly fitted to your teeth, so the possibility of them sliding and falling off is fairly slim, but if you’re skiing and catch a mouth full of water, it could dislodge them. Depending on the force, there is some potential for choking or losing them. In this case, it’s probably best to take them out for the activity, and you can go without them for a couple of hours without compromising your treatment. The only caveat is that you need to make sure you leave them someplace cool. If they sit in your car or even in direct sunlight, they could become distorted from the heat. So, it may be best to leave them at home or tuck them in a cooler if you’re going to be out on a hot day. Keep them close by, though, because if you go for more than a couple of hours a day without them and it becomes a regular habit, it could extend the length of your treatment. Since you’re probably not likely to be skiing every day, unless you do it competitively and practice for several hours a day, removing them for the activity shouldn’t cause any issues at all.

This blog is sponsored byElgin dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.