Student-athletes with braces face a higher risk of dental injuries during contact sports. A properly fitted mouthguard protects both teeth and orthodontic appliances from impact damage. Custom-fitted mouthguards, made specifically to accommodate braces, offer the best protection and comfort for active teens.
Playing sports with braces is completely manageable—but it does require one extra step that a lot of families overlook: choosing the right mouthguard. A standard off-the-shelf mouthguard is designed for a flat, brace-free set of teeth. When brackets and wires enter the picture, that same guard may not cover everything it needs to, leaving your child’s smile vulnerable during practice or game time.
At Derek Damon Orthodontics, we see student-athletes regularly across our Bellingham office who are juggling orthodontic treatment with busy sports seasons. Whether your teen plays football at Squalicum, swims at the Bellingham Sportsplex, or competes in soccer, lacrosse, or basketball, protecting their teeth is a conversation worth having before the season starts—not after an injury.
This guide walks through why mouthguards matter, which types work best with braces, and how to pick the right option for your student-athlete.
Key Takeaways:
- Athletes without mouthguards experience dental trauma at rates between 48.31% and 59.98%, compared to just 7.5–7.75% for those who wear one (American Dental Association)
- Standard mouthguards are not designed to fit over braces and may leave key areas unprotected
- Custom-fitted mouthguards offer the best protection for teens currently in orthodontic treatment
- Mouthguards should be replaced every season, or sooner if they show signs of wear
Why Are Student-Athletes with Braces at Greater Risk for Dental Injuries?
Sports-related dental injuries are far more common than most parents expect. According to the American Dental Association, collision sports alone account for dentofacial injury rates exceeding 27 percent. For athletes who skip the mouthguard entirely, dental trauma rates climb to between 48.31% and 59.98%. Among those who wear one consistently, those rates drop to 7.5–7.75%.
Braces change that equation slightly. Metal brackets and wires add another layer of complexity—not just because they’re expensive to repair if damaged, but because a direct blow to the mouth can drive bracket hardware into the soft tissue of the lips and cheeks. That kind of laceration often happens fast and hurts more than a simple chip.
When a teen gets braces, protecting the hardware is just as important as protecting the teeth themselves. An impact that dislodges a bracket or bends a wire mid-season can mean an unplanned office visit, a delay in treatment progress, and unnecessary discomfort. A well-fitted mouthguard prevents most of that.
What Types of Mouthguards Are Available for Athletes with Braces?
Not all mouthguards are created equal, and the differences matter more when braces are involved. There are three main types to know about.
Stock mouthguards come pre-formed and ready to wear straight out of the package. They’re inexpensive and widely available at sporting goods stores, but the fit is often poor. They tend to be bulky, can make breathing and speaking difficult, and typically don’t accommodate brackets or wires well. For a student-athlete in braces, stock guards are generally the least effective option.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards offer a step up in fit. You soften them in hot water, then bite down to create a rough mold of your teeth. Some brands are designed with extra room to account for braces, which makes them a more workable option than stock guards. That said, the fit still can’t match what a professional creates. If cost is a significant constraint, look specifically for boil-and-bite guards labeled as “orthodontic” or “braces-friendly”—they’re made with enough depth and space to sit over brackets without pressing them into the gums.
Custom-fitted mouthguards, made by an orthodontist or dentist using impressions of your child’s teeth, offer the most precise fit and the most reliable protection. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, custom mouthguards are the gold standard for patients in orthodontic treatment—they cover brackets completely, distribute impact more evenly, and are significantly more comfortable to wear for extended periods. A well-fitting guard is one a teen will actually keep in during games, which is the whole point.
How Do We Help Bellingham Athletes Find the Right Mouthguard?
Every patient who comes through our Bellingham orthodontics practice is different—different bite, different sport, different stage of treatment. That’s why we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to mouthguard recommendations.
Dr. Derek Damon has been treating patients in Bellingham and Anacortes since 2001. When a student-athlete is in treatment with us, we factor in where they are in their orthodontic journey before recommending a guard. A teen early in treatment looks different from one who’s a few months away from getting their braces off, and what fits well at one stage may need to be updated at another.
If your teen is active in sports and currently wearing Damon System braces, bring it up at your next appointment. We’ll assess their bite, discuss what sport they’re playing, and point them toward the most appropriate option—whether that’s a professionally made custom guard or a quality orthodontic boil-and-bite as an interim solution.
Which Sports Require the Most Mouthguard Protection for Bellingham Athletes?
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) mandates mouthguards for football, field hockey, lacrosse, and some wrestling—but that list leaves out a lot of sports that still carry significant oral injury risk.
The ADA flags basketball, soccer, rugby, hockey, and martial arts as sports with meaningful collision risk. But non-contact sports like baseball, softball, gymnastics, and even cycling carry risk too—any sport where a fall, a stray ball, or unexpected contact with equipment is possible puts teeth in the line of fire.
For Bellingham student-athletes, that covers a wide range. The Bellingham area has strong athletic programs across multiple schools, and teens are playing everything from club lacrosse to volleyball to recreational hockey. The sport itself matters less than making sure your child has proper protection before the season begins.
A general rule worth following: if there’s any chance of a hit to the face, a mouthguard should be in the bag. That’s especially true during orthodontic treatment, when the stakes of an impact are higher.
How Should You Maintain and Replace a Sports Mouthguard?
Even the best mouthguard loses effectiveness over time. Proper care extends its lifespan and keeps bacteria from building up on the material.
After each use, rinse the guard with cold water or a mouth rinse. Warm or hot water can warp the shape, which compromises the fit. Clean it thoroughly at least once or twice a week with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case—not sealed up tight in a bag where moisture accumulates.
Inspect the mouthguard regularly. If it starts to feel loose, looks thinned out, or has visible cracks or tears, it’s time for a replacement. Most athletes should plan to replace their mouthguard every season, or every six months at minimum. For teens in braces, it may need to be replaced even sooner—as teeth shift during treatment, the guard’s fit changes along with them. A mouthguard that fit perfectly in September may not seat correctly by January if treatment has been progressing well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can my child wear a regular mouthguard with braces?
A: Standard mouthguards aren’t designed to fit over brackets and wires. They can leave the hardware partially exposed, or press the metal into the gums on impact. An orthodontic boil-and-bite or custom-fitted guard specifically designed for braces is a much better choice.
Q: Will wearing a mouthguard interfere with orthodontic treatment?
A: A properly fitted mouthguard won’t interfere with treatment. It sits over the teeth and braces without applying any force to them. If anything, it protects the work that’s already been done.
Q: How often does my teen need a new mouthguard while in braces?
A: Plan to reassess the fit at least every season, or whenever your child’s bite changes noticeably. Because braces move teeth gradually throughout treatment, a guard that fit well at the start of the year may not seat correctly a few months later.
Q: What should we do if the mouthguard gets damaged mid-season?
A: Replace it as soon as possible. A cracked or warped mouthguard offers significantly reduced protection. As a short-term bridge, a new boil-and-bite guard can fill the gap while a custom replacement is made.
Q: Are custom mouthguards worth the cost compared to store-bought options?
A: For a teen actively playing contact sports while in braces, the answer is usually yes. Custom guards fit more accurately, last longer with proper care, and are less likely to be left in the bag because they’re uncomfortable. Considering the cost of repairing a damaged bracket or a knocked-out tooth, the investment typically pays off.
Protect Your Teen’s Smile This Season
A mouthguard is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect an orthodontic investment. Sports injuries to the mouth happen fast—but the right guard can prevent most of them.
If your student-athlete has braces and plays any sport where contact or falls are possible, schedule a conversation with us before their season starts. We’re happy to talk through the best options based on where they are in treatment.
Call our Bellingham office at (360) 676-6060 or request a consultation online. We’ll make sure your teen heads into their season with both a great smile and the protection to keep it that way.