Winter may bring cooler weather to North Carolina, but it doesn’t slow down the action. Between indoor sports like basketball and wrestling and outdoor favorites such as soccer, skateboarding, and even weekend ski trips to the mountains, there are plenty of ways to stay active. With all that activity, it’s important to make sure your braces — and your smile — are protected.
At Cobb Orthodontics, we know our patients love to play hard. Whether you’re guarding the hoop, racing down the slopes, or taking on a match at school, wearing braces means taking a few extra precautions to keep your teeth and orthodontic appliances safe all season long.
Why Braces Need Extra Protection
Braces do an amazing job of straightening your teeth, but they can also make your mouth more prone to injury during physical contact. A hard bounce pass to the face or a tumble on the court can easily cause a cut lip, bent wire, or even a dislodged bracket.
A mouthguard acts like a seatbelt for your smile — it absorbs shock and keeps your lips, cheeks, and braces safe from sudden impacts. Without one, even a minor hit can turn into an emergency orthodontic visit. That is why understanding winter sports braces safety is so important for every athlete with braces. For these reasons, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all athletes with braces wear an orthodontic mouthguard during sports to prevent injuries.
Mouthguards: What Works Best with Braces
Store-bought mouthguards are easy to find, but most are for people who do not have braces. These standard versions mold tightly around the teeth, which can press against your brackets and wires, causing irritation or even bending your orthodontic hardware.
An orthodontic mouthguard is designed for patients with braces. It is made from a soft, medical-grade silicone material that’s flexible, shock-absorbent, and shaped to fit comfortably over brackets and wires without applying pressure. Because it has a slightly larger fit than a standard mouthguard, it creates a protective cushion that absorbs impact while leaving enough room for your braces and teeth to keep moving during treatment.
This design helps prevent cuts to the lips and cheeks and reduces the risk of damage if you’re hit in the mouth during sports. Orthodontic mouthguards also stay secure during activity and are easy to clean — making them a simple but essential tool for winter sports braces safety.
When you get a mouthguard, take care of it like any other piece of sports gear:
- Rinse it with cool water after every game or practice.
- Store it in a ventilated case to keep it clean and dry.
- Avoid leaving it in the sun or hot cars, since heat can warp its shape.
- Replace it if it becomes worn or your orthodontic treatment changes your bite.
These small habits make a difference in maintaining effective winter sports braces safety throughout the season.
Winter Sports Where You Will Need One
Winter in North Carolina offers plenty of ways to stay active, and many of them involve the risk of contact. Indoors, basketball and wrestling are the most common winter sports where players should always wear a mouthguard. Cheerleading, volleyball, and indoor soccer also pose a risk of accidental bumps or falls that can hurt your braces.
Outdoors, athletes often keep moving through the cooler months with soccer, running, skateboarding, and biking — all of which can lead to mouth injuries from sudden slips or collisions. And for families who head to the Appalachian Mountains for weekend getaways, skiing and snowboarding bring their own challenges with icy conditions and unpredictable terrain.
If your activity involves fast movement, contact, or the possibility of a fall, a mouthguard is your best defense. It protects your braces and helps prevent painful injuries — while giving you the confidence to play your best. That assurance on the court, field, or trail often carries into everyday life, making winter sports braces safety part of both your game and your growth.
After the Game Check
After each game or practice, do a quick check of your braces. Look for any bent wires, loose brackets, or sore spots. If you notice something off, contact our office right away so we can make quick repairs and keep your treatment on track.
Also, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater if you experience minor irritation. A few minutes of extra care ensures that small issues do not turn into bigger problems — helping you maintain both your oral health and your athletic momentum.
You can find more tips on caring for your braces during activities on our Life with Braces page
A Thanksgiving Message from Our Team
Thanksgiving season is the perfect time to reflect on what matters most — teamwork, confidence, and gratitude. At Cobb Orthodontics, we are thankful for our amazing patients and families who bring their energy and smiles into our office every day.
As you gather with friends and family, enjoy your favorite braces-friendly foods like mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie — and remember to skip sticky treats or anything too crunchy that could damage your brackets.
We are grateful for the opportunity to help you create a healthy, confident smile. This Thanksgiving, our team wishes you joy, laughter, and plenty of reasons to smile — on and off the court!
Call Cobb Orthodontics in Greensboro or Randleman today to learn more about braces-friendly mouthguards and keep your winning smile protected this season.
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