Fall sports are in full swing across West Michigan. Friday night lights are back at Grandville High School, the West Ottawa Panthers are battling it out on the soccer field, and volleyball teams from Holland to Hudsonville are diving for saves. Parents are juggling practice schedules, team snack rotations, and making sure cleats still fit from last season.
But there’s one piece of equipment that often gets forgotten until after something goes wrong: the mouthguard.
If your child wears braces or is in active orthodontic treatment, protecting their smile during sports becomes even more important. Dr. Porto sees it every fall at both our Grandville and Holland locations. A stray elbow during a basketball game, an unexpected collision on the soccer field, or taking a volleyball to the face can damage brackets, tear up the soft tissue inside the mouth, or even knock out teeth. These injuries are painful, expensive, and completely preventable.
Why Mouthguards Matter for Braces
A properly fitted mouthguard does two critical things. First, it cushions blows to the face and distributes impact force across the teeth and jaw. Second, for athletes with braces, it creates a protective barrier between the metal brackets and the soft tissue inside the mouth. Without that barrier, even a minor hit can drive brackets into lips and cheeks, causing cuts that require stitches.
The American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for 29 different sports. That includes obvious contact sports like football and hockey, but also sports where contact is likely, even if it’s not the main point of the game. Soccer, basketball, volleyball, and even activities like skateboarding can result in facial injuries.
The Problem with Store-Bought Mouthguards
Walk into any sporting goods store and you’ll find generic mouthguards hanging on the wall for $15. They seem convenient and budget-friendly, which is appealing when you’re already spending hundreds on uniforms and equipment. But here’s the issue: they rarely fit correctly, especially around braces.
Generic mouthguards are bulky and make breathing difficult. They don’t stay in place during play, which means kids constantly pull them out to catch their breath or communicate with teammates. A mouthguard sitting in your child’s gym bag or pocket isn’t protecting anything. Even when kids try to keep them in, the poor fit means they’re not providing adequate protection around orthodontic appliances.
Which Fall Sports Need Protection?
Definitely need a mouthguard:
- Football
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Water polo
- Ice hockey
- Wrestling
The schools in our area, such as Grandville, Holland, and West Ottawa, offer competitive sports programs, which means athletes compete at a level where protection isn’t optional.
Don’t forget about these:
- Cross country (tripping and falls happen)
- Tennis (ball to the face at the net)
- Cheerleading (stunts and tumbling)
Even if your child’s sport doesn’t involve tackling or checking, accidents happen. We’ve treated injuries from every sport on this list.
Rivalry Games Deserve Extra Protection
Some games carry higher stakes and more intensity. When Grandville faces Hudsonville or Holland takes on Holland Christian in the Tulip City Throwdown, emotions run high and play gets more physical. These are exactly the games where you want your child wearing proper protection. The excitement and competition are part of what make high school sports great, but they also increase injury risk.
What to Do Right Now
Before the next practice or game, check that your athlete has a mouthguard that actually fits. Dr. Porto can help you identifying the bset model of bite-guard depending on the sports you practice and the appliances you have. We serve families in both Grandville and Holland, and we understand the local sports schedules because we live in these communities too.
Getting the correct model of mouthguard takes just one quick appointment. Compare that to the alternative: an emergency visit to repair a broken bracket, potential additional months of treatment, or dealing with a dental injury that could have been avoided.
Your child has worked hard to get their smile on track with orthodontic treatment. A five-minute conversation about mouthguards is a lot easier than explaining to the Grandville Bulldogs coach why your athlete has to sit out the Hudsonville game because of a preventable injury.
Questions about custom mouthguards or sports safety with braces? Contact Enjoy Orthodontics in Grandville or Holland. Dr. Porto and our team are here to keep your athlete’s smile protected all season long.
