Youth sports move quickly, and close plays happen in every sport. One bad hop, a stray elbow, a crowded drill, and suddenly a lip splits or a bracket bends.

Keep teeth, braces, and aligners protected during baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, hockey, and PE with steps that work on real fields and courts. Board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Servello, and the Servello Orthodontics team care for local athletes and stay active on the sidelines, including sponsoring youth teams like the recent Little League Girls Softball World Series Champions.

Start The Season With An Ortho Game Plan

Before the first practice, schedule a quick “season check.” We confirm wire tightness, trim any long ends, and match the mouthguard plan to your athlete’s sport.

• Braces: Choose a mouthguard compatible with braces that covers the braces and gums. Look for medical-grade silicone or EVA designed for brackets. Skip hard-boil-and-bite guards that lock to brackets and risk pulling them off.
• Aligners: Players should remove aligners for contact sports and wear a standard athletic mouthguard. Use the case every time. Log out time so total daily wear still hits the target number of hours your plan requires.
• Recently Bonded Teeth: If your child just started treatment, let coaches know. The first two weeks bring more tenderness. We can add wax and minor wire adjustments so your athlete can still participate.

Build A Simple Game-Day Kit That Actually Gets Used

Throw this in the bat bag or backpack and keep a twin kit at home for tournaments:

• Compact braces-safe mouthguard in a ventilated case
• Orthodontic wax strips
• Aligner case with name and phone number
• Saline spray or a small bottle of clean water to rinse blood or turf pellets
• Microfiber cloth for quick gear wipe-downs
• Mini toothbrush and travel fluoride toothpaste
• Lip balm to prevent splits in cold or windy weather

Every athlete knows where the kit lives. Parents and coaches know it too. When everyone can reach the same gear, minor problems stay small.

Fit Mouthguards The Right Way For Braces And Aligners

Families often ask Servello Orthodontics, “Can a mouthguard move teeth the wrong way?” A proper guard will not. A tight, bracket-aware guard actually spreads impact and protects both lips and hardware.

For Braces:

Use a pre-formed orthodontic guard or a re-moldable guard that specifically says “for braces.” Warm it gently if the instructions call for it, seat it over the brackets without suction, then press from the outside on cheeks and lips. Avoid biting down hard during fitting. Bring the guard to your next appointment so we can check the edges and coverage line.

For Aligners:

Do not wear an athletic mouthguard over aligners. Remove the aligners, store them in the labeled case, and seat the guard. Put the aligners back in right after the whistle.

Stop Small Injuries From Becoming Treatment Setbacks

Impacts are bound to happen. It’s helpful to know what to do so your child can often return safely and your ortho plan stays on track.

• Rinse and Look: Rinse the mouth with clean water or saline. Check lips, cheeks, and gums. Look for a bent wire, a dangling bracket, or a tooth that suddenly looks longer or shorter than its neighbors.
• Stabilize: If a wire pokes, dry the area and cover the end with a pea-size piece of wax. If a bracket slides on the wire but stays attached, leave it alone and call us after the game. Do not clip wires at home.
• Check The Bite: Ask your child to close gently. A new “high spot” can signal tooth movement from trauma. If the bite feels off or a tooth feels loose, stop play and call our office or your dentist for a same-day evaluation.
• Control Swelling: Apply a cold compress for ten minutes on, ten off. Keep the head upright on the ride home.
• Document: Snap a quick phone photo of the inside and outside of the mouth. Photos help us prepare for the visit.

Call us after any direct hit to the mouth, even when things seem minor. Same-day guidance keeps orthodontic treatment predictable.

Translate Sport-Specific Risks Into Easy Habits

Different sports hit teeth in various ways. Match the habit to the risk to protect your teeth during sports.

• Baseball and Softball: Catchers and infielders get the most lip injuries from short hops. Wear the guard in every drill, not just games. Keep wax in a pants pocket for quick fixes. Replace the guard when edges fray or after any big hit. 
• Soccer And Basketball: Elbows and headers cause cuts more than broken hardware. A slim, braces-safe guard improves talking and breathing during fast play. Re-seat it during timeouts if it shifts. 
• Wrestling, Hockey, and Lacrosse: Choose full-coverage guards with solid gum cushioning. Refit after any bracket change. Coaches in these sports already respect mouthguard habits; use that culture to stay consistent. 
• PE and Conditioning: Teeth still collide during “non-contact” sessions. Wear the guard during scrimmages, sprints with close traffic, and agility ladders that bunch players together.

Eat And Hydrate For Energy Without Sabotaging Braces

You can fuel well and protect brackets simultaneously. Aim for soft, non-sticky carbs and protein before play, then quick-rinse after snacks.

• Good Pre-Game Options: Yogurt with soft berries, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pasta with olive oil, smoothies without seeds, tender chicken and rice, and bananas.
• Skip Or Modify: Granola bars with nuts or hard seeds, gummy fruit snacks, caramel, taffy, seeds, popcorn, ice. If your team hands out chewy snacks, trade for applesauce cups or cheese sticks.
• Hydration: Choose water most of the time. Sports drinks belong in short, planned sips during tournaments. Rinse with water after sweet drinks, then brush when you get home.

Keep Treatment Momentum Through Tournaments And Travel

Tournament weekends test aligner wear and braces comfort. Use these parent-tested tweaks:

• Set phone reminders for aligner wear blocks: Two missed blocks add up fast across a weekend.
• Pack two guards: Heat, dogs, and hotel towels swallow mouthguards more than anything else we see.
• Bring a spare wax pack and a small mirror: Hotel bathrooms often lack adequate lighting.

If a bracket breaks on the road, stabilize with wax and call us. We will advise on the timing of the repair so the next week of practice stays productive.

Let Us Help Protect Your Teeth During Sports

Reach out to Dr. Servello for a quick tune-up before the schedule ramps up. Servello Orthodontics will fit or verify a braces-safe mouthguard, build an easy game-day kit, and set a plan that keeps treatment moving while your child competes. Make an appointment and choose the office that is easiest today: Ebensburg near the Courthouse and downtown, or Hollidaysburg near the Blair YMCA and the Diamond District.