Many of our orthodontic treatment patients play sports, and now is a great time to remind all of you to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in sports – especially contact sports such as soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball, and basketball.

When you have braces or Invisalign®, one of the most important pieces of sports equipment you can wear on the field is a mouth guard. A well-fitted mouth guard allows you to breathe and speak more clearly, in addition to protecting your mouth and appliances. Only by using a mouth guard can athletes avoid serious mouth and jaw injuries. The next time you’re in for an adjustment appointment, we encourage you to let us know if you’re playing or planning to play any sports. We can recommend a mouth guard that will work best for you.

What Kind of Mouthguard?

Before deciding on whether to choose a boil-and-bite type mouthguard or one custom-made by your dentist, check with the coach or instructor of each the sports your child plays. In some sports, the players are covered by team or league insurance that will only cover damage or injury if a dentist has made the mouthguard.

You should also check with the league or team to find out if a double mouthguard is required, as some sports like wrestling require the use of a mouthguard that covers both the top and bottom teeth (if a child has braces on both). Knowing exactly what to ask the dentist for will save time and money; getting your child back on the field or mats more quickly.

We hope this helps. You can always contact us if you have any questions.