Mouthguards for High School Athletes: Protecting Your Teeth During Orthodontic Treatment

Spring sports season is here, and for student-athletes in braces, wearing the right mouthguard is one of the most important — and most overlooked — steps in protecting their smile. At Amazing Brace Orthodontics in Mount Laurel, NJ, we help families across South Jersey find the right mouthguard solution so young athletes can compete with confidence, comfort, and complete protection.

Why Mouthguards Matter More When You Have Braces

Every spring, lacrosse sticks fly, soccer balls collide and baseball cleats hit dirt across Burlington and Camden County fields. For the thousands of Mount Laurel, Marlton, Voorhees, and Cherry Hill families whose kids are in the middle of orthodontic treatment, this season brings a real — and very preventable — risk: oral injury.

Standard braces — brackets, wires, and bands — can cause serious lacerations to the inside of the mouth during an impact. Without proper protection, a hard hit to the face can mean a cut lip, a damaged bracket, a broken wire, or worse. That's why both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommend mouthguards for all contact and semi-contact sports.

Types of Mouthguards — What Works Best with Braces?

1. Stock Mouthguards (Over-the-Counter)

These are the cheapest and most widely available option, sold at sporting goods stores throughout South Jersey. However, they offer minimal fit and they aren't always big enough to accommodate brackets and wires. This can cause discomfort — or additional injury — upon impact. Stock mouthguard make more sense once a patient has completed treatment and the braces are off or for Invisalign patients.

2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

A step up from stock guards, boil-and-bite mouthguards offer a better fit by softening in hot water and molding to the teeth. This type of mouthguard is contraindicated during orthodontic treatment (braces or Invisalign). The molding to the teeth would potentially stick to the braces and prevent you from removing it. Additional, even if you could remove it, molding it to the braces and teeth would prevent the teeth from moving. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards are a great choice for patients who have completed orthodontic treatment.

3. Over-the-Counter Mouthguards Designed for Braces (e.g., Shock Doctor)

Orthodontic mouthguards are a special type of stock mouthguard. Companies like Shock Doctor have developed over-the-counter mouthguards specifically engineered to fit over brackets and wires, making them a popular middle-ground option for families. They offer significantly better protection and comfort than a standard stock guard, are widely available online and sometimes your orthodontist may have them at their office as well.

4. Custom-Fitted Orthodontic Mouthguards (Recommended when possible)

The gold standard for athletes everyhwere. These are professionally fabricated to fit over your unique teeth providing maximum protection, optimal comfort, and minimal interference with breathing or speaking. Not to be used with braces/Invisalign, you would use this when you have completed your orthodontic treatment.

Top Tips for Mouthguard Care During Orthodontic Treatment

• Rinse your mouthguard with lukewarm before and after each use — never hot water, which can warp the fit.
• Store it in a ventilated case to prevent bacteria buildup.
• Inspect it regularly for cracks or tears, especially after heavy contact.
• Replace it if immediately if it no longer fits properly

A Word From Your OrthodonTish

Every spring, I have at least a few patients come in with a broken bracket or (for patients in retention) tooth or soft tissue injury from playing sports without a proper mouthguard. These injuries are preventable. At my practice, I personally discuss mouthguard options at the start of every sports season, not because it's protocol, but because I genuinely care about keeping your child's treatment on track and their smile intact. I always tell my patients: the cost of a quality mouthguard is a fraction of the cost of repairing a chipped tooth or worse, a severely damaged tooth. If your son or daughter is playing lacrosse, baseball, softball, soccer or any contact sport this spring, let's talk mouthguards at your next visit.

-Dr. Tish

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can my child wear a regular mouthguard with braces?

Standard mouthguards are not designed to accommodate orthodontic hardware and can press the brackets into soft tissue during an impact. We recommend mouthguards specifically made for braces.

How often should my athlete replace their mouthguard during orthodontic treatment?

Because teeth shift throughout treatment, we recommend checking the fit regularly. If your child has had a significant adjustment or the guard feels too tight or loose, it's time for a replacement.

Which sports require a mouthguard for kids in braces?

Any sport with a risk of contact or collision warrants a mouthguard. This includes lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, field hockey, wrestling and martial arts. Even non-contact sport can carry a risk — so when in doubt, wear one.

Does insurance cover mouthguards for orthodontic patients?

Coverage varies by plan. Many dental insurance providers cover a portion of a custom-fitted mouthguard, particularly when prescribed by an orthodontist. Our Mount Laurel office team is happy to check your benefits and walk you through your options.

Where can I get a mouthguard for my child's braces near Mount Laurel, NJ?

Amazing Brace Orthodontics offers custom mouthguard fittings right here in Mount Laurel. We serve families throughout South Jersey, including Marlton, Voorhees, Cherry Hill, Medford, and Moorestown. Call us or request an appointment online to get your athlete protected before the season kicks off.

Ready to Protect Your Athlete's Smile This Spring?

Don't wait for an injury to start the conversation. Contact Amazing Brace Orthodontics in Mount Laurel, NJ today to schedule a mouthguard consultation. Our team proudly serves student-athletes and their families across Burlington and Camden Counties — because great smiles deserve great protection, on and off the field.

📍 Amazing Brace Orthodontics | Mount Laurel, NJ | amazingbraceortho.com

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