Protecting Smiles This Season: 

Why Mouthguards Matter for Orthodontic Patients

April is National Facial Protection Month, which makes it the perfect time to talk about something we care a lot about at Ascend Orthodontics: keeping your smile safe—especially during sports and outdoor activities.

If you or your child is in braces or aligners, even a small impact to the face can lead to cuts, broken appliances, or even tooth damage. That’s why we always recommend wearing a mouthguard for any sport or physical activity where contact—even accidental—is possible. Even if you don’t have braces or aligners, facial protection is a top priority!

Why Orthodontic Patients Need Extra Protection

Braces and other appliances add extra hardware to your mouth, which means there’s a higher risk of injury during sports. A mouthguard acts like a soft barrier, protecting your teeth, lips, cheeks, and the braces themselves from impact. It can make a big difference in preventing:

• Broken brackets or bent wires
• Cuts inside the mouth
• Chipped or knocked-out teeth
• Delays in your treatment

While basic mouthguards from the store offer some protection, they aren’t always designed to fit over your braces or mold to your moving teeth. If you’re playing sports during treatment, please ask us for our recommendations or offerings for braces-friendly mouthguards. 

We’re Here for More Than Just Braces

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In the case of a “braces-free” smile, over-the-counter mouthguards do not always provide the best protection. We generally recommend a custom mouthguard that is made specifically for you. These mouthguards mold perfectly to the shape of your teeth and can often be less bulky and more comfortable than store-bought options. We are glad to offer custom mouthguards to our patients as well as other athletes in the community to help promote sports safety and facial protection! 

At Ascend, we believe that orthodontic care doesn’t stop when you leave the chair. We’re proud to support Northern Colorado families and athletes at our Loveland, Fort Collins, and Louisville office locations with mouthguard clinics for school teams and local sports programs. 

If you or your child plays sports and you’re not sure what kind of protection is best, we’re always happy to help you figure it out. Please call us with any questions and our team will be glad to help guide you to the safest option for you!

Stay in the Loop

We post about upcoming mouthguard clinics, tips for protecting your smile, and updates on all things Ascend on Instagram and Facebook. Follow us to stay connected!

Need a custom mouthguard or want to learn more about our clinics?
Reach out to our offices to learn more about our upcoming Mouthguard Clinic times and locations.. We’ll make sure you (or your kiddo) are set up with the right protection!

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