It can be tough to stay active once you start wearing braces. If you’ve recently gotten braces attached, you’ve probably had to learn this the hard way.
Braces can get snagged and cause serious injury in the heat of contact sports and physical activity. In these instances, not only will your braces themselves become damaged, but your oral cavity is also likely to be severely wounded.
If you want to stay active even with your new braces, it’s important that you keep them aptly protected at all times. This can be done with something as simple as a mouthguard that you can wear during sports and other physical activities. Not quite sure which mouthguard to choose? This buying guide should help you find the best mouthguard for braces for your needs.
Top 10 Mouthguards for Braces Chart
| Picture | Name | Material | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Venum "Challenger" Mouthguard | High density rubber, polyvinyl | $$ | 4.3 |
 | 2. Under Armour UA Braces Mouthguard | Silicone | $$$ | 4.3 |
 | 3. ProDental Athletic Teeth Mouth Guards Designed to Provide Maximum Protection | Polyvinyl | $$ | 4.2 |
 | 4. Orthomechanic Mouth Guard Orthoguard - Designed For Athletes with or without braces | Medical-grade silicone | $$ | 4.2 |
 | 5. Shock Doctor Nano 3D Convertible Mouthguard | Rubber, silicone | $$$$ | 4.0 |
 | 6. Shock Doctor Double Braces Strapless Mouthguard | Medical-grade silicone | $$ | 4.0 |
 | 7. Shock Doctor Pro Mouth Guard, Adult & Youth, Strapped and Strapless | Silicone | $ | 3.9 |
 | 8. Shock Doctor 4900 Ultra Braces Flavor Fusion Mouthguard | Rubber, silicone | $$$$ | 3.7 |
 | 9. Shock Doctor Gel Max Convertible Mouth Guard | Heavy-duty rubber, silicone | $$ | 3.7 |
 | 10. Brain-Pad LoPro+ Double Laminated Strap/Strapless Combo in one Mouthguard | Thermoplast | $$ | 3.2 |
Buying Information for Mouthguards for Braces
Several different factors will affect how well your mouthguard will work for you. Before making a purchase, make sure you keep these three considerations in mind so you can narrow down your options and choose the best mouthguard for braces that suits your needs and preferences.
- Comfort. One of the first things you should consider when buying a mouthguard to protect your braces is your own comfort. Wearing braces can feel like your mouth is always full, so using a mouthguard that’s lightweight and sleek will prevent adding to the discomfort of having a mouthful of metal.
At the same time, you will want a mouthguard that provides enough support and protection while allowing a high level of comfort. That said, bulkier designs – while uncomfortable – can guarantee that you will be aptly protected from braces-related sports injuries.
- Durability. No one wants to have to keep buying mouthguards too often. So buying a mouthguard that will withstand the test of time, wear, and tear will ensure that you’ve got a worthy investment. Consider the material that the mouthguard is made of, and be sure to inspect the design. Usually, thin borders and flimsy parts can easily curl up and break off with use.
- Fit. An ill-fitting mouthguard can actually cause more harm than good. Too tight, and you risk sustaining injuries to your gums upon impact. Too loose and they might simply fly off while you’re in the heat of the sport. Before making a purchase, be sure to consider your fit. Often, ready-to-wear mouthguards come in several different sizes and dimensions. So be certain that you do the math and take some measurements before buying to ensure a proper fit.
Top 3 Best Mouthguard for Braces Reviews
1. Venum “Challenger” Mouthguard
This premium product from Venum has been reviewed as the best mouthguard for braces based on consumer reviews. Featuring a straightforward and sleek design, the Venum Challenger Mouthguard takes up very little space in the oral cavity, thus allowing greater comfort. Aside from being malleable, the high grade FDA-approved polyvinyl material is easy to trim, allowing you to customize the size of the mouthguard to fit users as young as 12 years old.
The design is relatively sleeker and more compact than others in the market. The thickened back cushion makes sure that support and protection are present where they’re most needed, so even in the event of trauma or impact, braces and teeth will remain unscathed.
Finally, this mouthguard is the cheapest of all options. Often offered in sets of two, the Venum Challenger Mouthguard is an economical, effective, and durable product perfect for everyday use.
2. Under Armour UA Braces Mouthguard
The Under Armour UA Braces Mouthguard was designed for people with braces, featuring unique bracket channels where the natural shape of the braces can easily fit to avoid uncomfortable use.
Another thing that buyers appreciate about the product is the gel-fit perimeter that lines the lower braces. This makes for a more secure fit, guaranteeing that the mouthguard will stay in place even during the most demanding physical activities. What’s more, the low-profile border makes it easy to breathe and communicate even while wearing the guard to prevent unsanitary removal during play.
The only downside? The product features a rather high anterior border. While this does aptly protect the gums during contact sports, it also can jab into the gums during rest, which can cause discomfort for some users. Taking a pair of scissors and snipping away at the excess can resolve the issue.
3. ProDental Athletic Teeth Mouth Guards
Coming in at third is the Sports Mouth Guard from ProDental. This mouthguard design is known for its breathable structure, allowing users to easily and freely breathe during physical activity and sports. The unique shape of the mouthguard eliminates any tongue positioning problems that other models might cause.
The Sports Mouth Guard from ProDental can be easily trimmed with any pair of scissors, and does not require any boiling or fitting as it’s adapted for all types of oral cavities.
The only issue that some people have is that the material can easily age over time, becoming brittle and easy to break. With such a short lifespan, some suggest that it would be more practical to purchase a longer lasting mouthguard despite all of the interesting and practical features of the Sports Mouth Guard from ProDental. With that being said, however, this is available at a fairly affordable price point which still makes it worth the purchase in our book!