Short answer: Playing sports with braces is possible in most cases. In sports where a blow to the face is possible, such as boxing, martial arts, rugby, soccer and basketball, an orthodontic mouthguard is recommended so the brackets do not cut the lips and cheeks. These mouthguards are not molded tightly to the teeth and leave room for the brackets. In non-contact sports such as swimming, running and fitness, a mouthguard is generally not needed. The suitable type of mouthguard is determined at the exam.
Many people who start orthodontic treatment wonder whether they will have to give up the activity they love most. Playing sports with braces is possible in most cases; only in sports that carry a risk of impact do you need to take some precautions to protect your mouth and lips. In this article we explain which sports call for a mouthguard, how to choose one that suits braces and what to do after a blow.
Can you play sports while wearing braces?
Yes, you can play sports while wearing braces; in most cases treatment does not require changing your training program. However, because fixed brackets sit on the outer surface of the teeth, a blow to the face can drive the inner surface of the lips and cheeks against the brackets. This can cause problems such as cuts, swelling or a bracket coming off.
The size of the risk varies with the type of sport. The more likely contact with a ball, racket, stick, fist or another player, the greater the need for protection. So what matters is not giving up the sport but making a protection plan that fits it. Telling your orthodontist which sports you play when you start treatment makes this planning easier.
In which sports is a mouthguard recommended?
A mouthguard is recommended in all sports where a blow to the face is possible, and it is especially important in contact sports. Organizations such as the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and the American Dental Association (ADA) share the use of mouthguards in organized contact sports as a general recommendation.
- High risk: Boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, judo, rugby, ice hockey, American football
- Medium risk: Soccer, basketball, handball, volleyball (play close to the net), water polo, field hockey
- Lower but not to be ignored: Skateboarding, roller skating, cycling, skiing, horseback riding, climbing
The question of braces and soccer also comes up often: because of headers, elbow contact and ball impacts, wearing a mouthguard makes sense in soccer too. For braces and boxing and other martial arts, training or competing without a mouthguard is not recommended.
A mouthguard that suits braces
A mouthguard that suits braces covers the brackets comfortably, is not molded tightly to the teeth and keeps the lip away from the brackets. There are important differences between ordinary athletic mouthguards and an orthodontic mouthguard.
Why are boil-and-bite mouthguards not suitable?
Mouthguards that are softened in hot water and shaped by pressing them onto the teeth can fit tightly around the brackets. In that case, taking them out can strain a bracket or bend the wire. Also, because the teeth keep moving during treatment, the fit is lost within a few weeks and the guard needs to be replaced often.
Features of an orthodontic mouthguard
- It is generally made of soft, flexible silicone and does not require molding.
- It leaves a deeper and wider channel for the brackets; it can continue to be used even as the teeth move.
- In most cases it is worn only on the upper jaw; your doctor assesses whether extra protection is needed for the lower jaw.
- It should be thin enough not to interfere too much with breathing and short conversations.
Hard guards made with a custom impression during treatment may not always be practical, because the teeth are constantly changing position. Which type suits you is determined at the exam according to the stage of your treatment and the sport you play. Rinse the mouthguard with cold water after each use, store it in its ventilated case and do not leave it in a hot car.
What to do after a blow
After a blow, first check inside your mouth; look for bleeding, a loose tooth, a broken piece or a bracket that has come off. The course of action varies with the seriousness of the situation:
- Lip or cheek cut: Press with clean gauze or a cloth for a few minutes and apply a cold compress. If the bleeding does not stop or the cut is deep, go to a healthcare facility.
- Bracket off or poking wire: Cover the poking end with orthodontic wax, do not throw away the bracket and call your clinic. For details, see our article on braces emergencies.
- Broken or displaced tooth: If you can find the broken piece, keep it in milk or saline and see a dentist the same day.
- Permanent tooth knocked completely out: Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root; if it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or saline and, if possible, place it back in its socket; if that is not possible, carry it in milk and get to a dentist right away. Time is critical in this situation.
You can find first aid steps for young athletes in detail in our guide to tooth injuries in children. Even without symptoms, it is helpful to have the teeth and roots checked after a serious blow; some effects can only be understood with an exam and, if needed, an X-ray.
Swimming, running and fitness
In sports that do not involve contact, such as swimming, running and fitness, a mouthguard is generally not needed. Still, a few small details make the treatment process easier.
- Swimming with braces: Pool water does not damage brackets or wires. Be careful about hitting the pool edge, jumping and in water polo. The mouthpieces used in diving can put pressure on the brackets; if you plan long dives, ask your doctor.
- Running and cycling: On routes with a risk of falling, wearing a helmet also reduces facial injuries. Drink water, as dry mouth can occur on long runs.
- Fitness and weights: Clenching the teeth when lifting heavy is a common habit. It can lead to fatigue and tenderness in the jaw muscles; if you clench, mention it at your check-up.
- Sports drinks and gels: Sugary and acidic drinks lingering around the brackets can raise the risk of cavities and white spots. Rinse your mouth with water after training and brush your teeth when you can. Our article on braces and the risk of cavities can also guide you here.
Sports with clear aligners
You can play sports during clear aligner treatment as well; because aligners are removable, it is generally recommended to take them out in contact sports and wear a mouthguard in their place. With their thin structure, aligners cover the teeth to a certain extent, but they are not designed to protect against a blow like a mouthguard.
In non-contact sports, the aligners can stay in. If you are going to drink anything other than water during training, you need to take the aligners out and then rinse your mouth and put them back in. Whenever you take the aligners out, be sure to put them in their case; the risk of losing them in a gym bag or wrapped in a napkin is high. So that daily wear time is not disrupted, put the aligners back in right after training. For details on speaking, sports and musical instruments, see our article on speaking, sports and musical instruments with Invisalign, and for general information on the method, see our page on dental plaque.
Planning for athletes in Ankara
If you are a licensed athlete or play a contact sport regularly, the treatment option and the type of mouthguard can be assessed together at the exam. Treatment goes more comfortably if your match calendar, training camps and tournaments are coordinated with your check-up appointments. You can book an appointment through our contact page to plan this with us at our clinic in Oran, Çankaya; if you notice any change inside your mouth after a blow, let us know without waiting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a regular athletic mouthguard with braces?
Mouthguards that are softened in hot water and molded to the teeth can fit tightly on the brackets and strain them when taken out. They also lose their fit as the teeth move. For this reason, orthodontic mouthguards that leave room for the brackets are generally preferred during treatment.
I took a blow in a match with braces and a bracket came off. What should I do?
First check inside the mouth for cuts or a loose tooth. If something is poking, cover it with orthodontic wax, keep the bracket that came off and call your clinic. If there is a broken or displaced tooth, see a dentist the same day.
Is a mouthguard needed for the lower teeth too?
In most sports only an upper mouthguard is used. In some sports, and when there are brackets on the lower teeth as well, your doctor assesses at the exam whether extra protection is needed.
Can clear aligners take the place of a mouthguard?
Clear aligners are not designed to protect against a blow. In contact sports it is generally recommended to take the aligners out and wear a mouthguard. Do not forget to put the aligners back in right after training.
