Mouthguards for braces: what to buy and why

Page updated October 22, 2026.

If you play sports in braces, wear a mouthguard: the AAO calls it non-negotiable for players in orthodontic treatment, because a hit can drive brackets and wires into your lips and cheeks, damage the braces and set treatment back (AAO). The best option is one made by your orthodontist to fit over your braces (AAO). Here is which type to choose, what each costs, how to look after it and what to do if something breaks.

Why braces make a mouthguard more important

A mouthguard is a removable device that protects the teeth and mouth from sports injuries (AAO). Everyone benefits, but braces raise the stakes in three ways (AAO):

• Cuts. In a hit, wires and brackets can injure the inside of the mouth. A guard extends outward to protect the cheeks too
• Broken braces. Impacts can damage brackets, wires and aligners (AAO)
• Delays. A damaged appliance can set treatment back, sometimes by weeks, and add cost (AAO)

Mouthguards also reduce the risk of losing or chipping teeth (AAO). The AAO cites a Sports Health study estimating that the lifetime cost of a single knocked-out tooth can run from $5,000 to $20,000, because restorations may need to be redone over the years (AAO). Next to that, even an expensive guard is cheap.

Which sports need one

All of them, says the AAO: it encourages every player to wear a mouthguard no matter the sport (AAO). Oral injuries happen in contact and collision sports, and also in sports people don't think of as risky, such as gymnastics and skating (AAO).

In an AAO survey of 1,000 US parents, 37% said their child never wears a mouthguard in sports, even though 99% of parents whose children play organized sports thought mouthguards should be required (AAO). Parents most often wanted them required for football (83%), hockey (76%) and basketball (49%) (AAO).

Wear it at practice, not just games

The AAO's recommendation covers practices as well as games (AAO). Practices are often less structured and usually have few or no medical staff nearby, and in the AAO's survey parents thought players were more likely to show off at practice (AAO). If your child only wears a guard on game day, much of their playing time is unprotected.

Types of mouthguard, compared

Prices: AAO, 2025. Overall, the AAO says mouthguards range from about $20 to $1,000.

For braces, the AAO recommends having your orthodontist take a mold of your mouth so the guard fits tightly over the teeth (AAO). Custom or orthodontic-specific guards fit over brackets and reduce the risk of cuts, fractures and wire damage (AAO), and a well-fitted guard covers braces and retainers (AAO). Custom guards also tend to interfere less with speech than bulkier store-bought ones (AAO). Ask your orthodontist whether they make them (AAO).

What affects the price

The AAO names three things: how much the guard is customized, what it's made of, and what kind of guard you need (AAO). Longer-lasting materials cost more than ones not meant for long-term use, and cheaper sports guards may use PVC (AAO). A sports mouthguard is a different product from a night guard for grinding, and one can't replace the other (AAO).

Check whether your orthodontist's fee or your dental plan includes a sports guard; it may not be listed in a braces quote, so ask. See what a braces fee covers.

Mouthguards with clear aligners

Aligners are not a mouthguard. The AAO says aligner users should take their aligners out and wear a mouthguard for contact play (AAO). Put the aligners back in soon after, since they only work if worn at least 22 hours a day (AAO). More on aligners in how much Invisalign costs.

How to care for a mouthguard

1. Rinse it in cool water, or a mouth rinse, before and after each use (AAO) (AAO).
2. Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap (AAO), and soak it in a partial denture cleaner once or twice a week (AAO).
3. Keep it away from hot water and direct sunlight, which can warp it (AAO).
4. Air-dry it and store it in a ventilated case (AAO).
5. Check it for wear and tear (AAO).

When to replace it

A custom guard usually lasts one sports season and should be replaced at the start of each new one, and right away if it cracks or tears (AAO). The AAO also suggests replacing a guard after a significant growth spurt or a dental procedure (AAO). With braces, your teeth keep moving, so a guard that fit in September may not fit in spring; if it feels loose or tight, ask your orthodontist to check it.

If your braces get damaged in a game

Stop playing. The AAO says never to "play through" damaged orthodontic hardware, and to contact your orthodontist quickly if a bracket breaks or a wire shifts (AAO). Orthodontic wax can cover a sharp edge until your appointment; see orthodontic emergencies and orthodontic wax.

Sports drinks are the other athletic risk. Frequently sipping sugary or acidic drinks, gels and chews keeps the mouth acidic and speeds up decay and enamel erosion, and even zero-sugar drinks can be very acidic (AAO), which matters more when braces make teeth harder to clean. See how to take care of braces.