For many children and teens, sports are an important part of life. Whether it is hockey, basketball, soccer, or football, staying active builds confidence, teamwork, and lifelong skills. If your child wears braces or clear aligners, protecting their smile during games and practices takes a little extra planning, but it should not keep them off the field.
Why Protection Matters
Contact sports carry a risk of dental injury for any athlete. A stray ball, an elbow, or a fall can chip a tooth, cut the inside of the mouth, or knock a tooth out entirely. For patients with braces, the risk is greater, since brackets and wires can turn a minor impact into a more serious injury. Protecting the mouth during sports helps prevent broken braces and emergency visits, and it keeps treatment on track.
The Role of Mouthguards
The best defense for athletes with braces is a properly fitted mouthguard. Boil-and-bite mouthguards from sporting goods stores are not always comfortable or effective for patients in active treatment. Custom orthodontic mouthguards are designed specifically to fit over braces. They cushion the teeth, lips, and gums while still allowing your teeth to move as treatment progresses.
A few habits help a mouthguard do its job well:
- Wear it during practice as well as games, since injuries can happen at any time
- Avoid removing or adjusting it mid-game, which can lead to irritation or damage to your brackets
- Check the fit periodically, since a mouthguard may need adjustment as your teeth shift during treatment
- Rinse it after every use and store it in a ventilated case
Playing Sports with Clear Aligners
If you are being treated with clear aligners, sports call for a slightly different approach. Remove your aligners before contact sports to prevent cracking or distortion, and store them in their case rather than a napkin or gym bag, where they are easily lost or damaged. A mouthguard is still recommended, even with your aligners out, to protect your natural teeth from impact. Put your aligners back in as soon as the game or practice ends to stay on track with your prescribed wear time.
What to Do if an Injury Happens
Even with the right precautions, accidents can still occur. Here is what to do if your child experiences a sports-related orthodontic emergency:
- Broken bracket or wire: call our office as soon as possible. Most of these issues can be fixed quickly.
- Soreness or irritation: use orthodontic wax to cover sharp areas until the problem can be addressed.
- Knocked-out or chipped tooth: seek emergency dental care immediately, then follow up with us for an orthodontic evaluation.
Prompt action helps minimize long-term damage and keeps treatment moving smoothly.
Braces and clear aligners should not hold your child back from the sports they love. With the right mouthguard and a little preparation, they can play safely and confidently. I am Dr. MacKenzie, an orthodontist with over 20 years of experience serving Saint John, the Rothesay and Quispamsis area, and Charlotte County, New Brunswick. I have offices in uptown Saint John, Rothesay, and St. Stephen. To schedule a free consultation, visit our free consult page.
Learn more on our Braces page, and see our Treatment for Teens page for related information.