Braces, aligners and youth sports in Little Elm.
Between school teams, club seasons, and weekend tournaments, a lot of Little Elm kids in braces spend more time on a field than in a classroom. Two things matter most: the right mouthguard, and knowing what counts as an emergency.
By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS · Board-certified orthodontist · Reviewed October 2026Kids in braces should wear a mouthguard for practice and games, in pretty much every sport. The American Association of Orthodontists calls mouthguards essential for athletes and non-negotiable for anyone in orthodontic treatment. Use an orthodontic or custom mouthguard rather than a tightly molded boil-and-bite, and keep orthodontic wax in the sports bag.
Why braces raise the stakes
A hit to the mouth without braces can chip a tooth. With braces, the lips and cheeks get pressed against metal brackets too, which is where most of the cuts come from. A mouthguard puts a cushion between the two.
It isn’t just contact sports. The AAO recommends mouthguards for basketball, gymnastics, and skating alongside football and hockey, and points out that a lot of injuries happen in practice, not just games. Basketball surprises parents the most.
Which mouthguard
Tight boil-and-bite
These are designed to mold snugly around the teeth. Molded around brackets, they can fit poorly and work against the tooth movement the braces are trying to make. As teeth shift, the fit gets worse.
Orthodontic or custom guard
Orthodontic mouthguards are made to sit over braces without locking around them. A custom guard made by the orthodontist fits best. Ask at your next visit which makes sense for your kid’s sport.
Aligners: aligner trays aren’t a mouthguard. Most athletes take them out for games and wear a regular guard, then put the trays straight back in. Ask your orthodontist what they prefer for your sport.
When something happens at a game
Weekend tournaments are when most of these come up, and orthodontic offices, including Elate’s, are closed on weekends. So it helps to know which problems can wait until Monday.
Usually fine until the next business day
- A loose or broken bracket that’s still attached to the wire
- A wire poking the cheek (cover it with wax)
- Soreness after a hit, with teeth still firm
Don’t wait
- A tooth that’s knocked out or pushed out of place
- A tooth that’s very loose after a hit
- Bleeding that won’t stop, or any sign of a broken jaw
A knocked-out permanent tooth is time-sensitive. Get to a dentist or emergency care right away. Then let the orthodontist know.
For the first group, cover anything sharp with wax and call your orthodontist when the office opens. Elate’s number is 972-538-4343.
The sports bag kit
- Orthodontic mouthguard in a vented case
- Orthodontic wax
- An aligner case, if they’re in aligners
- Water. Sports drinks sitting on braces all afternoon aren’t great for the enamel around brackets.
Starting braces mid-season? Mention the sport at the free consult so the mouthguard is sorted before the first game. More on Elate’s Little Elm page.
Common questions
Do kids with braces need a mouthguard?
Yes. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends mouthguards for most sports, in practices as well as games, and calls them non-negotiable for anyone in orthodontic treatment.
Can my child wear a regular boil-and-bite mouthguard over braces?
A boil-and-bite guard molded tightly around brackets can work against tooth movement. Ask your orthodontist for an orthodontic mouthguard or a custom one.
What should I do if a bracket breaks during a game?
Cover any sharp spot with orthodontic wax and call your orthodontist on the next business day. A tooth that is knocked loose or out is urgent and needs a dentist or emergency care right away.
Talk to a board-certified orthodontist near Little Elm.
The first visit at Elate Orthodontics is free. Scans, an exam with the doctor, and exact pricing.