Mouthguards are one of the most effective tools for preventing dental and jaw injuries in youth sports, cutting the risk of orofacial trauma by as much as 82% to 93% compared to not wearing one at all. Custom-fitted mouthguards offer the strongest protection, particularly for athletes in braces or clear aligners. At MP Orthodontics, we help Plano families find a mouthguard solution that fits both their sport and their smile.
Fall sports season brings Friday night lights, early morning practices, and a steady stream of student athletes walking through our doors at MP Orthodontics with questions about protecting their smiles. Whether your teen plays football at Plano Senior High or competes in volleyball, soccer, or wrestling, the right mouthguard can be the difference between a minor bump and a trip to the emergency room. Proper selection and fit matter just as much as wearing one in the first place.
We work with young athletes throughout Plano every week, and orthodontic treatment adds a layer of complexity that many parents don’t anticipate. A mouthguard that fits perfectly on a patient without braces might not work at all for a teen mid-treatment. This guide walks through why mouthguards matter, the options available, and how to choose the right one for your athlete’s sport and smile.
Key Takeaways
- Custom-fitted mouthguards provide significantly better protection than stock or boil-and-bite options.
- Student athletes wearing braces or clear aligners need specialized mouthguard solutions, not generic ones.
- Routine dental checkups help catch sports-related wear and tear before it becomes a bigger problem.
- Cleaning and storing a mouthguard correctly extends its lifespan and keeps it effective.
Why Do Mouthguards Matter for Student Athletes?
Contact sports carry obvious risks to teeth, lips, and jaw structure, but non-contact sports cause their fair share of dental injuries too. A fall during gymnastics or a stray elbow during basketball can chip a tooth just as easily as a tackle on the football field. According to research published by the American Dental Association, mouthguard users experience dental trauma at a rate of roughly 7.5% to 7.75%, compared to 48% to nearly 60% among athletes who skip one entirely.
That gap matters even more for younger athletes. Student athletes are still developing, and their teeth, jaws, and bite are more vulnerable to lasting damage from a single bad hit. An injury during these growth years can affect alignment for the rest of their life, which is part of why we spend so much time talking with parents about prevention rather than just treatment.
Which Type of Mouthguard Offers the Best Protection?
Not all mouthguards are built the same, and the differences show up most clearly when an impact actually happens. Stock mouthguards are the ones you find in a bin at a sporting goods store. They’re inexpensive and require no fitting, but their one-size-fits-all design means they often shift during play and provide minimal real protection.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards improve on that by softening in hot water and molding loosely to the teeth. They’re a step up and the most commonly used type among athletes, but the fit still depends on how carefully the wearer shapes it at home. Custom-fitted mouthguards, made from an impression of the athlete’s actual teeth, offer the best combination of comfort, retention, and shock absorption. They cost more upfront, but for athletes playing competitive or contact sports, that investment pays off in both protection and a mouthguard that’s actually comfortable enough to wear consistently.
What Kind of Mouthguard Should Athletes with Braces Use?
Standard mouthguards don’t account for brackets and wires, which means they can press metal into soft tissue on impact instead of cushioning it. Athletes in traditional braces need a mouthguard specifically designed with extra space around the brackets, something we fit and adjust as treatment progresses and teeth shift position.
The calculus changes again for athletes using clear aligners. If your teen is using Invisalign for teens, aligners should come out before any practice or game, since they aren’t built to withstand impact and can crack or cause injury if left in. We recommend a separate, properly fitted mouthguard for game time, then a quick return to aligners afterward to stay on treatment schedule. The same logic applies to Spark aligners, which we also offer at our practice. Patients choose the aligner system that fits their lifestyle, and we build mouthguard recommendations around whichever option they’re using.
How Do You Choose the Right Mouthguard for Your Sport?
Sport type is the first thing to consider. Football, wrestling, and hockey carry a much higher collision risk than sports like swimming or cross country, so a higher level of protection makes sense for those athletes. Even in lower-contact sports, though, a basic mouthguard is worth the peace of mind.
Fit and comfort end up mattering more than most parents expect, mainly because an uncomfortable mouthguard rarely stays in an athlete’s mouth. If it’s bulky or ill-fitting, teens tend to take it out between plays, which defeats the purpose entirely. Budget is a real factor too, but it’s worth weighing against the cost of treating a chipped or knocked-out tooth down the line. For families weighing their orthodontic options more broadly, there are multiple options other than traditional braces, such as Damon braces, which are perfect for an active lifestyle.
How Should You Care for and Replace Your Mouthguard?
A mouthguard only works if it’s clean and intact. Rinse it with cool water after every use, brush it occasionally with a soft toothbrush, and store it in a ventilated case rather than a sealed bag, which can trap bacteria. Leaving it in a hot car or direct sunlight can warp the material and ruin the fit, so it’s worth being mindful of where it ends up between practices.
Inspect it regularly for tears, thinning, or holes, since these reduce its ability to absorb impact. Most mouthguards need replacing annually, but growing teens or those in active orthodontic treatment may need a new one sooner as their teeth shift. We check mouthguard fit at regular appointments, which is one more reason consistent visits matter during the season.
FAQ
Q: Can I wear a mouthguard over my braces?
A: Yes, but you’ll need a custom-fitted mouthguard designed to accommodate your braces safely, since standard mouthguards don’t leave room for brackets and wires.
Q: Do I need a mouthguard if I play a non-contact sport?
A: Even non-contact sports carry injury risks from falls or equipment contact, so we recommend mouthguard protection for most athletic activities, not just collision sports.
Q: How often should I replace my mouthguard?
A: We recommend replacing your mouthguard annually or sooner if you notice tearing, thinning, or a change in fit, which is common for growing teens.
Q: Can I use my mouthguard with Invisalign or Spark aligners?
A: You’ll need to remove your aligners during sports and wear a specialized mouthguard designed for athletes in orthodontic treatment, then return to your aligners once play is over.
Q: What should I do if my mouthguard breaks during a game?
A: Contact our office right away so we can assess whether repair is possible or if a replacement is needed before your next practice or game.
Protect Your Smile and Stay in the Game
A properly fitted mouthguard is a small piece of equipment with an outsized impact on an athlete’s long-term oral health and confidence on the field. Between sport type, orthodontic treatment, and simple comfort, there’s a lot that goes into finding the right one, and it’s not something we expect families to figure out alone.
Our team at MP Orthodontics works with student athletes across Plano every season, and we’re glad to talk through options that fit your teen’s sport, schedule, and treatment plan.
Read our reviews to see how other Plano families describe their experience with us, then schedule a free consultation to get your athlete properly protected before their next game. You’re welcome to visit our office in Plano or reach our orthodontist in Plano directly to get started.