Why is a mouthguard especially important with braces?
A blow to the mouth can injure teeth, lips and cheeks. With fixed brackets and wires, impact can also press the appliance into soft tissue or damage the brace itself. AAO guidance strongly recommends mouthguards for people with braces who participate in sport.
What type should you use?
Ask your orthodontist for a mouthguard that is appropriate for braces and your sport. The guard needs enough space to accommodate brackets and ongoing tooth movement. A custom option may offer excellent fit, but orthodontic-specific over-the-counter guards also exist.
Do not force a tight old guard over moving teeth
Your tooth positions change during treatment. A mouthguard that fitted months ago may no longer fit safely. Inspect it regularly and replace it when it becomes damaged or too tight.
Clean and store it properly
AAO guidance recommends rinsing before and after use, cleaning regularly, avoiding hot water and storing the guard in a ventilated container. Heat can warp plastic.
What if you are hit in the mouth?
Stop play and check for bleeding, loose teeth, broken brackets/wires and significant pain. Dental trauma can need urgent assessment even when the brace looks intact. For a knocked-out or displaced tooth, facial fracture, uncontrolled bleeding or severe injury, seek urgent dental/medical care.
What if you wear aligners?
Remove aligners for contact sport and use a sports mouthguard rather than treating the aligner as protective equipment. Follow your orthodontist’s instructions about when to put the aligners back in.
Sources & further reading
- American Association of Orthodontists — Mouthguards — Mouthguards with braces, fit, cleaning and maintenance.
- American Association of Orthodontists — Oral Health Tips for Athletes — Sports protection and travel-kit advice for people with orthodontic appliances.
These references support general information. Your own dentist or orthodontist should make recommendations for your specific teeth, gums, appliance and treatment plan.