Can Braces Affect Your Ability to Play a Wind Instrument?


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Student musicians who play wind instruments worry about the effects of braces on the lips and mouth. From sore cheeks and tender lips to dry mouth, the concern is whether braces will make it harder to play their favorite wind instrument.

The good news is that you can play a wind instrument while wearing braces, and with success! It takes a few days of practice, and you are back at your pre-braces skill level. There are helpful tools such as lip protectors and wax, but most importantly, practice and time overcome the challenges that present during the first few days after getting the braces on. Once the orthodontic treatment is over, and the braces are removed, it takes some practice once again to adapt to the brace-free teeth, but with a new, beautiful smile, all is possible!

As an alternative, Invisalign treatment can also be used to get that healthy, beautiful smile. Invisalign is a system that is customized by the orthodontist and programmed to move the teeth a little at a time. Since Invisalign can be removed, it is a great appliance for a musician who plays a wind instrument. In addition, the high-tech plastic used is smooth on the lips and tongue, making it unnecessary to remove while playing the wind instrument. Invisalign needs to be worn 20-22 hours a day, but removed to eat, brush and floss.

As a mother like you, Dr. Barakat is familiar with the challenges children face today, including juggling extracurricular activities like playing an instrument. As a Top 1% provider nationwide for Invisalign and Invisalign Teen and a Diamond-level Invisalign provider, she invites you to set up a complimentary consultation and learn how to give your child, or even yourself, a beautiful, healthy smile, plus tips and tricks to kick-off those first few weeks wearing braces with success!


Dr. Rana Barakat, a board-certified specialist in Orthodontics, has been proudly serving Northern Virginia for more than 20-years! She has built her practice on a personal touch and excellent treatment.

As a parent, she understands wanting the best for your children by giving them beautiful, confident smiles. She makes it a priority to ensure optimal results, but also believes that each patient’s experience during treatment is just as important as the clinical result. As the 2015-16 President of the Virginia Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Barakat’s dedication and expertise reflect why her peers continue to nominate her as a Top Dentist.

Barakat Orthodontics is located at 45745 Nokes Blvd., Ste. 175, Sterling, VA 20166. Connect by visiting them online, or get social with them on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter. Barakat Orthodontics can also be reached at (703) 433-9330.

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