6 min read · By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
Quick answer
If you play sports with braces, wear a mouthguard made for braces, not a standard boil-and-bite. Orthodontic mouthguards are roomier and flexible, so they cushion your lips and cheeks against the brackets, protect the braces themselves, and flex as your teeth move. A custom guard from your orthodontist offers the best fit, but a good over-the-counter orthodontic model works well too. For any contact sport, this is not optional.
On this page
Can you wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, absolutely, and if you play sports you really should. The only catch is picking the right type. The mouthguard aisle is full of boil-and-bite guards designed to mold tightly around your teeth, and that tight mold is exactly the problem when you have braces. It grabs onto your brackets. What you want instead is a guard built for orthodontic patients, with more room and more give.
Think of it this way. A regular mouthguard is made to fit one fixed set of teeth. Your teeth are on the move, and there is hardware bonded to the front of them. The guard has to work around both of those things, which is what an orthodontic mouthguard is designed to do.
Why a mouthguard matters even more with braces
Everyone should protect their teeth in contact sports. With braces, the stakes are a little higher for two reasons. First, a blow to the mouth can press your lips and cheeks into the brackets, turning what might have been a minor bump into a nasty cut. A cushioned guard sits between the soft tissue and the metal and absorbs that impact.
Second, there is the appliance itself. A hard hit can bend wires, pop brackets, or damage the braces, which means an unplanned repair visit and possibly a setback in your treatment timeline. Protecting the hardware protects your progress, not just your smile. And of course, the underlying reason has not changed: a serious impact can chip or knock out a tooth, braces or not.
Types of mouthguards for braces
| Type | Fit & protection | Braces-friendly? |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodontic (over-the-counter) | Roomy, flexible, made to fit over brackets | Yes, a great everyday choice |
| Custom (from your orthodontist) | Best fit, comfort, and protection | Yes, ideal, may need remaking as teeth move |
| Standard boil-and-bite | Molds tightly to teeth | No, can lock onto brackets, avoid |
Brands like Shock Doctor make orthodontic-specific guards that many of our patients like, and they are widely available and affordable. If you want the best possible fit, though, ask us about a custom guard. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a properly fitted mouthguard for anyone in contact sports, and doubly so during orthodontic treatment.
How to choose the right one
Keep it simple. Look for a guard labeled for braces or orthodontics, not a plain boil-and-bite. Make sure it covers your upper teeth fully and feels cushioned along the front. It should stay put without you clenching, let you breathe and talk reasonably well, and not press hard against your brackets. If a guard feels like it is gripping your braces, it is the wrong one.
If you are unsure, bring it to your next appointment and we will check the fit. It takes two minutes and can save you a split lip and a broken bracket.
Caring for it and knowing when to replace it
A mouthguard lives in a warm, wet mouth and then gets tossed in a gym bag, so basic hygiene matters. Rinse it after every use, brush it gently, and store it in a ventilated case so it dries out. Keep it out of hot cars, which can warp it. During active treatment, expect to replace it more often than a non-braces athlete would, because your teeth keep moving and the fit drifts. Plan on a fresh one once your braces come off, too.
One repair visit for a bracket knocked loose in a game costs more time than a whole season of wearing the right mouthguard. Protect the braces and they will keep working for you.
Bottom line: braces and sports mix just fine, as long as you guard your smile the right way. Grab an orthodontic mouthguard, or ask us about a custom one, and play with confidence.
Getting braces before the season starts?
Ask us about an orthodontic mouthguard that fits over your brackets and actually protects them. Your first visit is free.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, and you should. You just need the right kind. A mouthguard made for braces is roomier and more flexible so it fits comfortably over your brackets and can flex as your teeth move. What you want to avoid is a standard boil-and-bite guard that molds tightly to your teeth, because it can lock onto the brackets.
Why can’t I use a regular boil-and-bite mouthguard?
Because it is designed to mold snugly around your teeth. With braces, that snug fit grips the brackets and wires, which is uncomfortable, can damage your appliance, and gets in the way as your teeth shift. Orthodontic mouthguards are built with extra room precisely to avoid that.
Are custom mouthguards worth it with braces?
For many athletes, yes. A custom guard made by your orthodontist offers the best fit, comfort, and protection, and it accommodates your braces. A good over-the-counter orthodontic mouthguard is a solid, affordable backup, especially since teeth are moving and a custom guard may need remaking during treatment.
Which sports require a mouthguard with braces?
Any sport with contact or a flying ball or stick. Football, basketball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, martial arts, and even skateboarding all qualify. If there is a realistic chance of a hit to the face, wear one. A blow to braced teeth can injure your lips and cheeks and damage the hardware.
How do I clean and care for a braces mouthguard?
Rinse it after every use, brush it gently with a toothbrush, and let it air dry before storing it in a ventilated case. Keep it out of hot cars and away from pets. Replace it when it warps, tears, or stops fitting well, which happens sooner during active treatment because your teeth keep moving.
Will I need a new mouthguard as my teeth move?
Possibly. Because braces are actively shifting your teeth, the fit changes over time. Orthodontic mouthguards handle this better than rigid ones, but you may still need to replace a guard partway through treatment, and again once your braces come off.
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Why families trust Elate Orthodontics
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With over 1,000 five-star reviews across three locations, Elate Orthodontics is led by Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS, a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, whose clinical work was recently selected for the cover of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, the most prestigious peer-reviewed journal in the field, and a national speaker on clear aligner treatment. Alongside Dr. Julia Kang, DMD, MS, both Boston University graduates and members of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national honor society, our husband-and-wife team has been recognized as D Magazine Best Dentist 2026, Living Magazine Readers’ Choice 2026 Best Orthodontist in Frisco & Plano, Readers’ Choice Best Orthodontist in The Colony, Best New Business by the Chamber of Commerce, Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite, and featured in Orthotown and Authority Magazine.
We serve families through three convenient offices in West Frisco, North Frisco, and The Colony, each staffed by the same trusted team, equipped with advanced technology, and committed to the personalized approach that consistently helps patients finish treatment sooner than expected. From braces and clear braces to Angel Aligners, we offer treatment for every age and every stage of life. We stay in-network with most insurance plans and offer flexible financing to make exceptional orthodontic care accessible for every family we serve.
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About the author
Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a national speaker on clear aligner treatment. He practices alongside Dr. Julia Kang at Elate Orthodontics’ three North Texas offices in West Frisco, North Frisco, and The Colony. Meet Dr. B →
