How to Protect Your Smile When Playing Sports With Braces

Kids and teens shouldn’t have to miss out on playing their favorite sports just because they’re going through orthodontic treatment. Playing sports with braces is common and completely doable, but the brackets and wires of traditional metal braces do raise the risk of dental injuries and mouth trauma. Sharp edges can turn a simple hit into a painful mouth laceration or chipped tooth. 

The American Dental Association reports that athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are up to 60 times more likely to suffer dental injuries than those who do, a risk that matters even more when braces are involved. 

Continue reading to learn how a mouthguard can take the force of a hit before it damages teeth or sensitive tissues of the mouth, and where to find the best orthodontist in Sheboygan for braces and custom-made mouthguards. 

Why Mouthguards Are Essential for Athletes With Braces 

When you play sports with braces, even the slightest bump can drive your lip straight into a metal bracket, leaving you with a sharp sting and the taste of blood before you even know what went wrong. A properly fitted mouthguard puts a soft barrier between your braces and the inside of your mouth, lowering your chances of breaking a bracket, chipping teeth, or getting a painful cut to your lips and cheeks. 

Mouthguards work by absorbing and dispersing impact force, rather than allowing it to strike braces, wires, or enamel directly. This is necessary for athletes who play contact sports, including football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. Even people who are in non-contact or low-contact sports, such as cheer, dance, surfing, or roller skating, should consider getting a mouthguard to help protect them from an unintentional fall. 

Choosing the Right Mouthguard for Your Needs

Not all mouthguards provide the same level of protection, especially when braces are involved: 

• A custom mouthguard, made by a dentist, fits closely over your teeth and brackets, so it stays in place when you run, talk, or take a hit. It also feels smooth instead of bulky against your lips. 
• Boil-and-bite mouthguards, on the other hand, soften in hot water and mold to your mouth. They usually feel thicker and may need reshaping every few weeks as your orthodontic treatment progresses and your teeth shift. 
• One-size-fits-all mouthguards are those you grab off a shelf and wear straight out of the package. While they are better than no protection at all, they often feel loose and awkward. This makes it harder to talk or breathe comfortably, especially when you’re active. 

How to Wear and Care for Your Mouthguard

A mouthguard only works if it’s comfortable enough that you actually want to keep it in your mouth. It should sit snugly over your braces without irritating your gums, and you should still be able to breathe through your mouth and call out to a teammate without fighting against it. 

After a game or practice, take a moment to rinse it, since sweat and saliva can leave a cloudy film that smells off if it gets trapped. Let it dry in a ventilated case instead of tossing it into a gym bag, where heat and moisture give bacteria a place to grow. At the start of a new season, or if you notice cracks, thinning spots, or rough edges, it is time for a replacement. 

What to Do If You Get Hit in the Mouth When You Have Braces

Getting hit in the mouth when you have braces can be scary, especially when you taste blood or feel something sharp where it should not be. If it happens: 

• Take a breath and rinse your mouth with water to clear away dirt and see what is going on
• Check for loose wires or a bracket that feels out of place
• If a wire is poking your cheek or lip, press a small piece of orthodontic wax over it to prevent irritation as you move or talk. 
• Call your orthodontist to explain what happened and make an appointment to get checked out
• If there is heavy bleeding that will not stop, a tooth has been knocked out, or your jaw feels sore and unstable, it is important to get medical help right away

Discover the Best Orthodontist in Sheboygan for Custom Mouthguards 

Friday nights can move fast when your kid is on the field, and braces add one more thing you hope stays intact when the whistle blows. At Just Orthodontics, we work closely with families across Northeastern Wisconsin who balance busy sports schedules with orthodontic care. Dr. Ethan and Dr. Jeff bring a calm, thoughtful presence that parents notice right away. With decades of orthodontic experience, we take time to explain how braces hold up during practices and games, and we fit mouthguards that feel secure when kids run, talk, and take hits. 

Our offices in Sheboygan and Manitowoc make it easier for families across the Lakeshore area to get patient-centered care without long drives or missed school days.