Mouthguards and Braces

Mouthguards with or without braces, why is it so important? Great question! While there are many reasons as to why you should wear a mouthguard during sports, it is especially important with braces.

Dr. Charles Reed and his staff highly recommend a mouthguard for sporting activites for all patients, and depending on the type and amount of contact that is involved in the sport the mouthguard can be custom fit to each patient’s mouth, or you can buy one that will easily fit over teeth and braces. Mouthguards are usually only made for one arch (upper). If oral trauma occurs, the mouthguard will take most of the blow during an impact and will provide protection to the teeth and jaw joint. The lower jaw is capable of motion (it can move left, right, forward, backward, and open and closed). The upper jaw is fixed, which results in a greater risk of injury. It also allows athletes to communicate with each other, as the mouthguard is made to cover the upper arch during their sport.

All athletes should wear a mouthguard. Studies suggest that wearing a mouthguard can help reduce the severity of a concussion, tooth to object impact, tooth loss, soft tissue trauma, etc. Athletes will also have more confidence and tend to be more aggressive, knowing they have protection! There are many, many benefits to wearing a mouthguard; it is in each athlete’s best interest to seriously consider having one.

If you have any additional questions, please visit with one of our staff members at Reed Orthodontics. We are here to support you and to create “Smiles for a lifetime.”