Scuba Diving or Snorkeling With Orthodontic Braces

Scuba Diving or Snorkeling With Orthodontic Braces

If you are planning a vacation with the family, friends, or loved ones, don’t cancel your snorkel or scuba plans just because you have braces.

There is plenty of room for the regulator or snorkel to fit on the inside of your teeth.  We suggest getting comfortable with the equipment in your mouth long before you jump in the water.

If you are wearing rubber bands in your braces from jaw to jaw, we recommend taking them out for the dive.  You may want to clear your ears and adjust to the pressure by wiggling your jaw and this may cause the rubber bands to snap and be lodge somewhere in your mouth or possibly swallowing.

In our experience the dive with braces was very simple and we barely noticed we had the braces on.  The best thing you can do is to keep practicing before you descend.  If you have a pool at your house or near by, practice with a snorkel or bring just your regulator in the pool with you.  This will prepare you for the dive. 

If you are still a bit wary, you may want to stick to the snorkeling or a shallow dive until you get more comfortable.

You may want to rinse your mouth with freshwater after a long contact with saltwater.  It is not necessary, but it definitely won’t hurt and you can do it while drinking your water post dive.

Good luck and enjoy scuba or snorkel while wearing braces.