Sports and Braces: How to Protect Your Smile During Physical Activities

A Complete Guide to Orthodontic Mouthguards and Safe Play for Athletes with Braces

If you’re an athlete, you shouldn’t have to compromise on safety—or fun—while wearing braces. With the right precautions, including the use of a custom mouthguard designed for braces, you can continue your sport without damaging your orthodontic hardware or your teeth. Protecting your orthodontic investment is crucial, and this guide will answer all your questions.

What Happens if You Get Hit in the Mouth with Braces?

Playing sports with braces introduces specific risks that a standard mouthguard might not address. An impact to the face can cause a range of problems, from minor discomfort to serious oral injury.

• Lacerations to Soft Tissues: Brackets and wires can easily cut your lips, cheeks, and gums upon contact, leading to painful injuries.
• Broken Orthodontic Hardware: A direct hit can bend wires, break elastics, or detach brackets from your teeth. This not only causes discomfort but can also lead to significant delays in your orthodontic treatment plan.
• Increased Risk of Tooth Trauma: Even minor hits can chip, crack, or loosen teeth. With braces, the force of an impact can be intensified by the metal or ceramic appliances attached to your teeth.
• Potential Jaw Injuries: A significant blow to the mouth can also affect your jaw joints (TMJ) or the underlying bone structure, an injury that a well-fitted mouthguard helps to cushion.

Which Mouthguard Is Best for Someone with Braces?

When you have braces, not just any mouthguard will do. You need an orthodontic mouthguard that fits over braces properly. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

Boil-and-Bite Orthodontic Mouthguards

• What they are: Made from a thermoplastic material, these are designed with extra room for braces. You soften them in hot water and then bite down to create a semi-custom fit. They are often called a “chemist mouthguard for braces” because of their availability.
• Pros: Convenient and affordable for short-term use.
• Cons: The fit is often bulky and imprecise. As your teeth shift during treatment, these guards can become ill-fitting quickly, offering less protection and requiring frequent replacement.

Custom-Made Orthodontic Mouthguards (Highly Recommended)

• What they are: These are professionally crafted by a dentist or orthodontist using precise impressions or 3D digital scans of your teeth and braces.
• Pros: Provides superior, unmatched protection because it fits perfectly. This precise fit enhances comfort, allows for normal breathing and speaking, and won’t dislodge during play. It is the best mouthguard for braces and football, rugby, boxing, or any high-contact sport.

Our team at AQR Orthodontics in Dubai fabricates top-quality custom sports mouthguards for braces, tailored to your unique anatomy and sport.

What Are the Best Practices for Athletes with Braces?

• Always Wear Your Mouthguard: Wear a properly fitted orthodontic mouthguard during practices and games for any sport with a risk of contact or falls (e.g., football, basketball, martial arts, skateboarding, rugby).
• Learn How to Clean Your Orthodontic Mouthguard: Clean it daily by rinsing with cool water and gently brushing with a toothbrush and mild soap to prevent bacterial build-up.
• Check the Fit Regularly: As your teeth move, your mouthguard may need adjustment. If you notice your guard feels loose or uncomfortable, it’s time for a check-up.
• Communicate with Your Team: Notify coaches and teammates that you’re wearing braces so they can help ensure safe playing conditions.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps maintain good oral health and rinses away food particles and debris that can get trapped in your braces.
• Have an Emergency Plan for Oral Trauma: If you sustain any injury to your mouth or teeth, contact AQR Orthodontics in Dubai immediately for guidance.

Why You Need a Sports Dentist for Your Orthodontic Mouthguard

Getting the right fit is a job for a professional. Dr. AQR at AQR Orthodontics offers expert sports dentistry for children and adults with braces in Dubai, delivering:

• Advanced assessment of your bite and orthodontic setup.
• Precision mouthguard design using 3D dental scans for a perfect fit.
• Quick turnaround for custom-fit devices so you don’t miss any time on the field.
• Ongoing support and adjustments throughout your orthodontic treatment.

A Common Question: Do Orthodontic Mouthguards Prevent Concussions?

While mouthguards are undeniably vital for protecting your teeth, gums, and jaw, the scientific evidence linking them to concussion prevention is still evolving and inconclusive.

• Past Research: A 2005 study on football and rugby players found no significant difference in concussion rates, and a major review concluded there isn’t enough data to support the claim.
• Expert Consensus: Organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA) emphasize that while mouthguards provide excellent dental protection, they do not reliably prevent internal brain injury.
• Emerging Evidence: Some newer studies, particularly in youth ice hockey, have suggested that wearing any type of mouthguard was associated with a reduction in concussion odds.

The primary, proven function of a mouthguard is to prevent dental and facial injuries.

What the Research Says About Mouthguards and Injury Prevention

• Protection from Dental and Facial Injuries: A meta-analysis of 26 studies confirmed that mouthguard wearers were 2.3 times less likely to suffer orofacial injuries. Another review confirmed they are highly effective at preventing tooth fractures, knocked-out teeth, and soft tissue trauma.
• What Mouthguards Do: They are undeniably effective in reducing the risk of dental and facial injuries like tooth loss, jaw fractures, and soft-tissue cuts. Their role in concussion prevention remains unproven but is part of a broader safety strategy.

Which Sports Require a Custom Mouthguard When You Have Braces?

If you’re wondering, “do I need a mouthguard for basketball with braces?” or “is it safe to do martial arts with braces?”, the American Dental Association (ADA) provides clear guidelines. It endorses and recommends mouthguard use in up to 29 sports.

1. Contact / Collision Sports

• Team Sports: Basketball, Football, Ice Hockey, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Rugby, Water Polo, Soccer, Handball
• Individual Sports: Boxing, Martial Arts (e.g., Karate, Taekwondo), Wrestling

2. Non-Contact / Limited Contact & Other High-Risk Sports

• Team Sports: Baseball, Softball, Volleyball
• Individual Sports: Acrobatics, Horseback Riding, Gymnastics, Skateboarding, Inline Skating, Skiing, Skydiving, Surfing, Squash, Racquetball, Bicycling, Weightlifting, Shot putting

Even non-contact sports like gymnastics or skateboarding can lead to serious oral trauma from falls. For any athlete with braces in Dubai or Jumeirah, a custom-fit sports guard designed by a sports dentist like Dr. AQR offers the best protection and comfort.

Why Your Mouthguard Must Adapt as Your Teeth Move with Braces

A common problem for athletes is when their mouthguard doesn’t fit anymore because of braces. Your teeth are constantly shifting, which is why:

• Custom orthodontic guards are designed with room for movement and can be adjusted.
• Boil-and-bite guards quickly become ill-fitting and less protective.
• Regular check-ups at AQR Orthodontics ensure your guard evolves with your smile, providing continuous protection.

Final Thoughts: Play with Confidence, Protect Your Smile

Wearing braces doesn’t mean sacrificing your active lifestyle or athletic career. With a custom sports guard made for braces, proper hygiene, and smart precautions, you can pursue your athletic passions without compromising your orthodontic results.

Let AQR Orthodontics help you stay in the game—fully protected and on your way to a perfect smile. Book a consultation with Dr. AQR today to get a custom sports mouthguard for braces in Dubai and play with confidence.

FAQ: Your Guide to Sports and Braces in Jumeirah, Dubai