These days, it seems like everyone has braces. From adolescents to adults, a mouth full of metal is on most every smile you see. After sorting out how to brush and floss with braces, your next concern might be about the safety of your weekend squash game or your child’s weekly athletic practices and events. If you (or someone you love) is one of the lucky ones on the way to a straight teeth and a healthy smile, here’s how to find the best mouthguard for braces.
Why is a mouthguard for braces so important?
Everyone understands the importance of wearing a helmet and pads in football and wrestling and knee braces in basketball and tennis, but an orthodontic mouthguard for braces may be the last thing on the equipment list.
This is a major mistake. Athletes not wearing mouthguards are 60 times more likely experience injuries to the teeth than those who have protection in place.
Sports injuries also account for three times more dental and facial injuries than do car accidents or violence. It does not matter if you play one pick-up game of basketball a week or if you are on your way to softball Olympic glory. The chances of injury to the teeth increase every time you get out on the field to play without a mouthguard for braces.
Benefits of mouthguards for braces
Mouthguards protect against the following:
- Broken teeth
- Jaw injuries
- Cuts to the lip, tongue, or face
These injuries can be intensified with metal braces, causing more severe cuts and even punctures to the lips and cheeks. Also, unlike off-the-shelf or “boil and bite” mouthguards, properly fitted, custom-made mouthguards may also reduce the rate and severity of concussions.
Beyond protecting the pearly whites, there is another major benefit to adding an orthodontic mouthguard for braces to your list: you save money.
The average mouthful of metal will set you back $5,000 to $7,000, with an average treatment time of 24 months. If you take just one hard-hit grounder to the mouth without a mouthguard, you may be looking at much more money and an extended treatment time.
Protecting both your health and your investment is important. You need the best mouthguard for braces that you can find.
What should I look for in a mouthguard for braces?
There are three basic types of mouthguards:
- Off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all mouthguards
- “Boil and bite” mouthguards
- Custom-fitted mouthguards
For each of these, comfort is important. If a mouthguard is bulky and hard to keep in place, chances are good that your athlete will not wear it consistently. This can be very challenging with a mouthguard for braces. The guard itself has to be larger to accommodate the extra metal brackets and wires.
This makes finding a well-fitted over-the-counter mouthguard very difficult. One-size-fits all mouthguards are really designed to protect teeth without braces. Some brands that advertise as able to cover braces end up using very thin material that doesn’t offer much protection.
Boil and bite mouthguards
“Boil and bite” mouthguards may be a slightly better option. These are dropped into very hot water and then placed in the mouth to form around the teeth and braces as they cool.
This type is a step up from the one-size-fits-all variety because the wearer can fit it to their braces. There is also an advantage to these, as you can change them as your bite changes. For low-impact sports, this type of mouthguard for braces might be a good solution.
There are some types of mouthguards that can be remolded up to 20 times. This gives you the benefit of a custom-made mouthguard for braces that can be refitted as the bite changes.
The problem with “boil and bite” mouthguards comes down to materials. Even with the possibility of better fit, the American Dental Association has not certified any commercially available mouthguard as having material that provides adequate protection against impact.
They do offer an endorsement for some brands that offer better protection than others; look for the ADA seal on the packaging and follow directions exactly. Otherwise, the protection provided by this second type of orthodontic mouthguard just isn’t enough for high-impact sports (e.g., football, hockey, wrestling, etc.).
Custom-made mouthguards
Your best mouthguard for braces will always be custom-made by your dentist. Like “boil and bite” mouthguards, your dentist will have you bite down into a mold to get an exact impression of your teeth.
Once the impression is made, your mouthguard will be created and ready in about two weeks. Your dentist will check the fit before sending you back in the game (and check it periodically for damage and fit).
Finding the best mouthguards for braces
Regardless of which type of mouthguard you choose, the ADA recommends looking for the following features in a high-quality mouthguard:
- Resilient and durable materials: The materials of the mouthguard should stay intact and last until the movement of the teeth requires a replacement or longer
- Allows for ease of speech: You will know your mouthguard fits well if you are able to speak clearly
- Easy to clean: Mouthguards are hotbeds of bacteria and should be easy to care for and clean
How to care for mouthguards
Caring for your mouthguard is fairly straightforward. Rinse it carefully with warm water or antiseptic mouthwash after each use, placing it for storage in a well-ventilated container.
Periodically inspect your mouthguard for rips, tears, holes, or perforations. These can irritate and inflame the gums that come in contact with the mouthguard. If your mouthguard has become too loose (or too tight), it may be time for an adjustment or a new mouthguard.
Find the best mouthguard for braces in the Phoenix area
We are lucky to live in Arizona with plenty of sunshine and ample opportunity for physical exercise and activity.
If you are looking for the best mouthguard for braces in the Phoenix area, give AZ Dentist a call. We work with both teenage athletes and adult weekend warriors to keep their teeth healthy, safe, and protected.
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