Orthodontics for Athletes: How to Protect Your Braces During Sports

A collision on the soccer field. A misjudged fly ball on the baseball diamond. It only takes one sports incident to undo a perfect smile and thousands of dollars in dental work.

Sports mouthguards protect against common injuries like cut lips and gums, broken brace brackets and wires, and even damaged orthodontic work that can extend treatment time. But with so many options and so many different kinds of sports, what is the right athletic mouthguard for you? We’ll tell you everything you need to make an informed decision.

The Importance of Mouthguards For Athletes

While most people are aware of the broader benefits of sports mouthguards, many do not realize mouthguards protect more than teeth. Mouthguards for athletes also:

• Absorb shock from impacts to the jaw, which would otherwise be transferred to the skull
• Prevent soft tissue injuries by guarding the lips, cheeks, and tongue from getting caught between between teeth during impact
• Stabilize the jaw, which can help reduce dislocation and even fractures
• Protect delicate orthodontic work like crowns, braces, and other restorations

Types of Athletic Mouthguards

Mouthguards for athletes generally come in three varieties:

Stock

Stock mouthguards are ready to wear right out of the box and are available at most sporting goods stores. While budget-friendly, these sports mouthguards are one-size-fits-all, often bulky, and only offer minimal protection.

Boil-And-Bite

Boil-and-bites offer limited customization by heating the mouthguard, biting down, and leaving an imprint in it. While more comfortable than stock units, they are still bulky, loose-fitting, and do little to protect against severe impacts.

Custom-Fitted

Custom mouthguards are made by taking an impression and creating an exact mold of your mouth. While custom athletic mouthguards require a more substantial upfront investment, the benefits far outweigh that initial cost. Not only are they more comfortable and durable, but they offer superior protection. Plus, they do not inhibit speech or breathing and won’t come loose during the game.

Choosing the Right Mouthguard

While we recommend custom-fitted mouthguards for most athletes, we believe they are non-negotiables for sports players who:

• Play medium- and high-impact sports like football, soccer, hockey, and basketball
• Have braces—our custom mouthguards are designed to accommodate wires and brackets
• Have orthodontic work like crowns, implants, bridges, bonding, or chip repairs

Caring For Sports Mouthguards

Regardless of the type, all mouthguards require care and maintenance because they are constantly exposed to bacteria. Without a proper care routine, mouthguards can become a breeding ground for germs, causing bad breath, infections, and even tooth decay.

Inexpensive stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards should be replaced every season—or sooner if they begin to wear down. They should also be washed after use with a liquid dish soap.

Custom mouthguards require more attention.

• After each use, brush using a separate soft toothbrush, dish soap, and warm water
• Do not use toothpaste, which is abrasive and may damage the mouthguard
• Allow your custom mouthguard to dry for 30 minutes before storing in the case

Make a Winning Bet: Guard Your Smile!

Your smile is an investment. Let us help you protect it. Whether you need protection on the sports field, need to prevent nighttime grinding, or want peace of mind during any physical activity, AlignBar Orthodontics can help you select a mouthguard that maximizes protection—without maximizing your budget. Contact us today for a consultation!