Sports and orthodontic treatment can absolutely go together. Many of our patients at Tisseront Orthodontics are teens in middle and high school, and we ensure that they can still participate in their favorite activities during orthodontic treatment! Whether you play football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, softball, volleyball, hockey, or another active sport, you do not have to sit on the sidelines because you have braces or Invisalign. However, protecting your smile should be part of your game plan!

A mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to help protect your teeth, lips, cheeks, and orthodontic appliances during sports. It can be especially important for patients with braces, since brackets and wires can make an impact to the mouth more uncomfortable and potentially more complicated. Invisalign patients also need to think carefully about when to wear aligners, when to remove them, and how to protect their teeth during practices and games.

At Tisseront Orthodontics, we want patients to feel confident participating in the activities they enjoy while keeping their orthodontic treatment on track. If you are looking for guidance from a local orthodontist in Reston, VA, here is what you should know about playing sports with braces or Invisalign and choosing the right mouthguard.

Why a Mouthguard Matters During Sports

A mouthguard is a protective device that fits over the teeth and helps absorb or spread out the force of a hit to the face. It can lower the risk of chipped or broken teeth, cuts to the lips and cheeks, and other dental injuries. Although no mouthguard can prevent every injury, wearing one is a smart precaution during activities where falls, collisions, balls, sticks, elbows, or equipment could contact the mouth.

Many people only associate mouthguards with football or hockey, but they can be helpful in many other sports as well. Basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, gymnastics, skateboarding, martial arts, and lacrosse can all involve unexpected contact. Even a fast-moving ball or an accidental collision with another player can create enough force to injure the mouth.

For orthodontic patients, mouthguards offer another important benefit: they can help protect brackets, wires, and aligners from damage. A broken bracket or bent wire may lead to discomfort and may require an extra visit to your braces orthodontist. Wearing appropriate protection helps reduce the chance that a sports injury will interrupt your treatment progress.

Do You Need a Mouthguard With Braces?

In most cases, yes. If you have traditional braces and play a contact or high-impact sport, wearing a mouthguard is strongly recommended. Braces consist of brackets and wires that sit on the front of the teeth. If the mouth is hit during a game, the lips or cheeks can be pushed against those brackets and wires. That can lead to cuts, soreness, bleeding, or damage to the appliance.

A properly fitting mouthguard creates a cushion between your soft tissues and your braces. It also helps protect the teeth and braces from direct impact. While orthodontic wax can help with minor irritation from a bracket or wire, it is not a substitute for a mouthguard during athletics.

It is easy to assume that mouthguards are only needed during games, but practices can involve just as much risk. Scrimmages, drills, conditioning sessions, and casual pick-up games can all include accidental contact. The safest routine is to wear your mouthguard whenever your sport involves a realistic possibility of getting hit in the face.

At Tisseront Orthodontics, Dr. Tisseront can help you understand what type of mouthguard may work best with your braces and activity level. This is especially helpful if you are starting a new sport or if your mouthguard begins to feel uncomfortable as your teeth move.

What Type of Mouthguard Works Best With Braces?

Not all mouthguards fit the same way, and the best option depends on the sport, your comfort level, and the stage of your orthodontic treatment. For patients with braces, an orthodontic mouthguard is often a good choice because it is designed to fit over brackets and wires.

A store-bought “boil-and-bite” mouthguard can be convenient and affordable. These mouthguards soften in hot water and are then shaped around the teeth. However, they may not fit as precisely as a custom-made option. Since teeth move during braces treatment, the fit may also change over time. If the mouthguard feels too tight, too loose, or uncomfortable against the brackets, it may need to be replaced.

Custom mouthguards are made to fit the patient’s teeth more accurately. They can offer a comfortable, secure fit and may be a worthwhile option for athletes who play contact sports frequently or competitively. Your orthodontist can help determine whether a custom guard is appropriate for your specific situation.

The most important thing is that the mouthguard fits comfortably, allows you to breathe and speak reasonably well, and covers the teeth without pressing painfully on the braces. Do not cut or modify a mouthguard to make it fit around brackets. If it does not fit properly, bring it to your local orthodontist for advice.

Can You Wear Invisalign While Playing Sports?

Invisalign is different from braces because the clear aligners are removable. This gives many athletes extra flexibility, but it also means they need a plan for protecting their teeth during sports.

For lower-contact activities, some patients may be able to keep their aligners in while wearing a properly fitting mouthguard over them. For sports with a greater chance of direct facial contact, patients may be advised to remove their aligners and wear a mouthguard instead. The correct approach can depend on the sport, the type of mouthguard, your treatment plan, and the recommendations from your orthodontist.

The key is to avoid leaving Invisalign aligners loose in a bag, pocket, or wrapped in a napkin while you play. Aligners are easy to misplace, and replacing them can be inconvenient. If you take them out for practice or a game, place them in their protective case immediately. Never leave them exposed in a hot car, direct sunlight, or near food and drinks.

Because Invisalign aligners are meant to be worn for most of the day, it is important to put them back in as soon as it is safe after your activity. If you regularly have long practices, multiple games, or tournaments, talk with Dr. Tisseront about how to manage wear time without affecting your orthodontic progress.

Sports Mouthguard Tips for Invisalign Patients

If you have Invisalign treatment, a regular mouthguard may still be an important part of your sports equipment. Even though aligners cover the teeth, they are not designed to function as athletic mouthguards. Clear aligners are created to move teeth gradually, while a mouthguard is made to help absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury.

Before a major sports season begins, ask your Invisalign orthodontist whether you should wear your aligners during games or remove them and use a mouthguard. This is especially important for sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, martial arts, basketball, and soccer, where contact or falls can happen quickly.

A good routine is to keep your Invisalign case in the same place as your sports gear. For example, place it in the same pocket of your gym bag every time. After a game or practice, rinse your aligners if needed, brush your teeth when possible, and put the aligners back in their case or back in your mouth as directed.

What Should You Do If You Get Hit in the Mouth?

Even with a mouthguard, an injury can still happen. If you are hit in the face while wearing braces or Invisalign, take a few moments to check for pain, bleeding, loose teeth, broken brackets, bent wires, or damage to an aligner.

For braces patients, a loose bracket or poking wire may be uncomfortable, but it is not always an emergency. Orthodontic wax can temporarily cover an irritating area until you can contact your braces orthodontist. If a wire is severely bent, a tooth feels loose, there is significant bleeding, or you suspect a broken tooth or jaw injury, seek prompt dental or medical care.

For Invisalign patients, inspect the aligners for cracks, sharp edges, or changes in fit. If an aligner is damaged or no longer fits properly, do not try to force it into place. Contact the office for instructions. Depending on your treatment stage, you may be advised to wear the previous aligner, move forward to the next set, or come in for an evaluation.

Parents should also encourage young athletes to report mouth injuries, even if they seem minor. A small chip, sore tooth, or loose bracket may be easier to address quickly before it turns into a bigger problem.

How to Care for Your Sports Mouthguard

A mouthguard works best when it is clean, stored correctly, and replaced when needed. After each use, rinse it with cool water and allow it to dry before putting it in a ventilated case. Avoid hot water, high heat, and direct sunlight, because heat can warp the material and change its fit.

Clean the mouthguard regularly according to the product instructions. You can usually use a soft toothbrush and mild soap, but do not use harsh cleaners or hot water unless the manufacturer specifically says it is safe. Keep the case clean as well, since a dirty case can transfer bacteria back onto the mouthguard.

Bring your mouthguard to orthodontic appointments from time to time, especially if you have braces. As the teeth move, a mouthguard that once fit well may start to feel too tight or loose. Dr. Tisseront and the Tisseront Orthodontics team can check whether it still fits appropriately and help you decide if it is time for a replacement.

Protect Your Smile With Tisseront Orthodontics

Sports are an important part of school, family life, fitness, and fun. Having braces or Invisalign should not keep you from participating in the activities you love. With the right mouthguard and a little preparation, you can protect your smile while staying active throughout orthodontic treatment.

If you or your child has questions about braces and sports, Invisalign and mouthguards, or an orthodontic appliance that was damaged during a game, Tisseront Orthodontics is here to help. Dr. Tisseront provides personalized orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults in Reston, VA, and can help you choose a safe approach for your sport and smile.

Contact Tisseront Orthodontics today to schedule a complimentary consultation or to ask about protecting your braces or Invisalign during the upcoming sports season.