Are you concerned about mouth injuries from your braces while participating in a physical activity? Many sports involve contact with other people, the ball, or other equipment. With braces, it is important that you protect your smile from the possibility of any injuries because the opportunity to injure your mouth is greater with the appliances.

Wearing a Mouthguard

Dr. Cameron Jolley recommends that everyone who is in braces wear a mouthguard during physical activities that involve the possibility of contact with other people or objects. A mouthguard will greatly reduce any impact that you could have if anything was to hit your mouth. It will also protect the braces, the gums, the cheeks and your teeth. If you are interested in wearing a mouthguard, let us know at your next appointment and Dr. Jolley will review your options with you.

Cleaning Mouthguards

It is important to keep your mouthguard clean. Remember to rinse it with warm water immediately after wearing it to remove any debris and prevent any build up from developing. Once you get home, brush the guard with a toothbrush and antibacterial soap. We do not recommend using toothpaste because it could damage the appliance. If you wear the mouthguard often, we suggest deep cleaning it once a week. You can soak the mouthguard in either over the counter denture cleaner or in distilled vinegar for 30 minutes. If you use vinegar, rinse with water after the 30 minutes, then soak it in hydrogen peroxide for an additional 30 minutes, and lastly rinse thoroughly with water. Once washed, let your mouthguard air dry on a clean surface. Make sure it is completely dry before putting it back in its case. We suggest cleaning the case out once per week with dish soap as well!

Have Questions?

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have! You can call or fill out our online contact form and we will reach out to you as soon as possible.