Can I Play Sports with a Mouthguard When I Get Braces?

Dr. Jenny Yoo-Park, Dr. Lesley Samuels and the team at Palo Alto Orthodontics recommends to their patients who play sports that they wear a mouthguard so that their braces stay protected during their activity. Dr. Jenny Yoo-Park and Dr. Lesley Samuels believe it is important for all his patients to know exactly what mouthguards do and why they are important. Active patients can focus then on their game and also stay on schedule with their orthodontic treatment in Palo Alto, CA. The professionals at Palo Alto Orthodontics treat all their patients with the care and consistency that their lifestyles demand while ensuring the best possible treatment outcomes.

 What do mouthguards do?

Mouthguards help prevent injuries to the teeth and jaws when patients get active in sports or physical activities. Many sports teams and leagues (football, lacrosse, and ice hockey) require mouthguards because they help keep the players teeth and mouth safe during their activity. When a patient has braces, mouthguards are even more important so the braces stay intact and do not break.

What are the different types of mouthguards available?

There are three main kinds of mouthguards that can be used by patients with braces in Palo Alto, CA. These three kinds of mouthguards are:

1. Stock Mouthguards: Stock mouthguards are inexpensive, come ready to wear, and can be bought at most sporting goods stores. Stock mouthguards offer the least amount of protection for a patient’s teeth and braces. They are a one-size-fits-all uniform fit and therefore cannot be adjusted easily. Some patients find them bulky and that they make talking and breathing difficult.
2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: Boil-and-bite mouthguards mold to the player’s teeth and gums. To get a custom fit, a patient would heat the mouthguard in hot water to soften the thermoplastic material. The patient then bites down on the warm, softened mouthguard to mold it perfectly to fit their teeth and braces. Boil-and-bite mouthguards can be found at most sporting goods stores and, although they are a little more expensive than stock mouthguards, they are not prohibitively expensive.
3. Orthodontic Mouthguards: Orthodontic mouthguards are available only by orthodontists like Dr. Jenny Yoo-Park and Dr. Lesley Samuels. These mouthguards may be more expensive than the others, and they are customized to fit and protect the teeth and braces. Orthodontic mouthguards offer the most comfort and protection of any of these types of mouthguards.

No matter what mouthguard you choose, Dr. Jenny Yoo-Park and Dr. Lesley Samuels and the pros at Palo Alto Orthodontics want to make sure that your teeth and braces are fully protected during any kind of physical activity. It’s important to any competitor to perform their best on the field, diamond, or court, so make sure your braces are protected while you play. For more information on mouthguards or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jenny Yoo-Park and Dr. Lesley Samuels, please call Palo Alto Orthodontics in Palo Alto, CA today at: 650-327-2310