Many of our patients love to play sports, whether it’s football, baseball, hockey, or lacrosse. We know how important these sports are to our patients. We encourage them to get out there and play their best, but we suggest doing it safely with a sports mouthguard for braces.
The team at Smiles by the Bay knows the importance of playing contact sports safely. That’s why we encourage our patients to wear a mouth guard for braces to protect their mouths and oral health during sports. We want you to play safely and prevent injury to your mouth or braces.
Can You Wear a Mouthguard With Braces?
Can you wear a mouthguard with braces? You may look at them and think braces and mouthguards aren’t compatible. However, the correct-fitting mouthguard can be worn over braces and protect your braces and teeth throughout orthodontic treatment.
It’s possible to get a braces mouthguard that fits easily over the brackets and wires yet offers protection for both your braces and teeth. Using one while you wear braces to straighten your teeth is essential. Otherwise, a hit to the mouth could delay your treatment.
What Kinds of Mouthguards Are Available?
There are two main kinds of mouthguards for sports players, including those with braces. The “boil and bite” is available online and through major retailers, including sports retailers. Professionally made mouthguards are usually available only through a dentist or orthodontist.
The ‘Boil and Bite’ Mouthguard
The boil-and-bite mouthguard is easy to use. Place the mouthguard in boiling water until it’s soft, then “bite” it to mold it around your teeth and braces.
You’ll want the mouthguard to mold well around your teeth and braces so there is little to no space between it and your teeth. Some of the newer ones don’t have to be boiled—you can just pop them into the microwave to soften them up, then mold them.
Once the mouthguard is molded well to your teeth and braces, remove it carefully and allow it to cool and harden. Then, you’re good to go!
Some less-expensive mouthguards have a plain design with a few colors available. Others, such as from brands like Shock Doctor Mouthguards or Game On Mouthguards, allow you to purchase specific designs or customize your mouthguard to bring out your personality.
You can get a hockey mouthguard for braces if you’re a hockey player. You can choose a lacrosse mouthguard for braces if you’re a lacrosse player. You can even get mouthguards for braces customized for other sports, including:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Boxing
- Wrestling
- Rugby!
The significant advantage to these mouthguards is that they can be molded and remolded 2-3 times before they need to be replaced. This is great for braces patients whose teeth move during treatment. This means you don’t have to buy a new mouthguard as often as you would with a professionally made mouthguard.
The downside is that it may not fit as precisely as the professional ones. The problem is that the more space between your mouth guard for braces and your teeth, the better the chances it can slam against your teeth and braces and cause damage.
Professionally Made Mouthguards
The other type is a custom-fitted mouthguard made by a dentist or an orthodontist. Unlike boil-and-bite mouthguards, these are made to fit precisely with your braces and teeth.
The advantages of a professionally made mouthguard are:
- Top-quality protection for your teeth and braces
- Made to fit perfectly, at least initially
- May be covered by insurance, HSA, or FSA
The dentist or orthodontist creates these mouthguards by producing a digital scan of your teeth and braces. The mouthguard is made based on those digital scans, so the fit is exact.
The downside is that it won’t take long before the fit isn’t as perfect because braces cause your teeth to move. The more your teeth move, the less the mouthguard will fit properly.
Some professionals can adjust the mouthguard to fit again. However, as your treatment progresses, you likely will need a new mouthguard. Over time, these can become costly.
While professional mouthguards are great for those not undergoing treatment, there may be better options for patients in braces treatment.
