Can You Wear a Mouthguard With Clear Aligners? A Sport Guide

Can you wear a mouthguard with clear aligners?

The fact: Yes, you can and should wear a mouthguard for contact and collision sports during aligner treatment. In most cases you'll take your aligners out first and wear the mouthguard on its own.

Before training or a game, put your aligners in their case and fit your mouthguard. Afterwards, rinse your mouth, brush if you can, and put your aligners straight back in.

Wearing a mouthguard over the top of your aligners isn't generally recommended unless your dentist has specifically advised it. A mouthguard is shaped to fit your teeth, not an aligner, so stacking the two can make the guard sit loosely, feel bulky and protect less well. It can also put uneven pressure on the aligner and risk cracking it.

Why mouthguards matter, even mid-treatment

The fact: Sport is a major cause of dental injuries in Australia, and a good mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk.

Dental Health Services Victoria says sports injuries account for approximately one-third of traumatic injuries to teeth, and that many of the players treated each year had injuries that a mouthguard could have prevented.

The Australian Dental Association explains that mouthguards work by absorbing and spreading the force of a blow to the face. It lists the kinds of injuries they help prevent as broken jaws, fractured, cracked or knocked-out teeth, and cut lips and tongues. It also points out that injuries aren't limited to contact sports, naming cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, skateboarding and soccer.

The Victorian Government's Better Health Channel also lists current orthodontic treatment as a risk factor for dental injury.

A chipped or knocked-out front tooth can mean extra dental work and may affect your aligner plan, so protection matters even more mid-treatment.

Why clear aligners can't replace a mouthguard

The fact: Aligners are thin, close-fitting trays built to apply gentle, precise pressure. They don't have the thickness or cushioning that sports protection needs.

Both cover your teeth and both are custom-shaped, but they're built for completely different jobs:

Dental Health Services Victoria says a mouthguard should be at least 4mm thick to provide protection against impact. Clear aligners are nowhere near that, and they aren't designed to protect your gums, lips or jaw. If you take a ball or elbow to the mouth while wearing only aligners, there's also a chance the aligner itself cracks, which can delay your treatment. If that happens, our guide to lost or cracked aligners explains what to do next.

Which mouthguard should you use during aligner treatment?

The fact: Australian dental authorities recommend custom-fitted mouthguards. During aligner treatment, the main extra consideration is that your teeth are changing shape.

Better Health Channel describes three main types of mouthguard:

• Custom-fitted. Made by a dentist or dental technician from a mould or scan of your teeth. Better Health Channel says these provide the best protection thanks to their close fit, comfort and shock absorption, and that "dentists recommend custom-fitted mouthguards".
• Boil-and-bite. Softened in hot water and moulded at home. The Australian Dental Association warns this process can leave some parts thinner than others.
• Stock. Ready to wear straight from the packet. Better Health Channel says they're the cheapest but offer the least protection.

The aligner wrinkle: your teeth are moving

A custom mouthguard is shaped to your teeth on the day it's made, but with aligners that position changes with every new set. A guard made before you started may not fit well a few months in, and a poor fit protects less.

Better Health Channel advises replacing an adult's mouthguard after dental treatment, and the Australian Dental Association suggests seeing your dentist for a check-up before getting a custom guard. In practice, that means it's worth having a conversation with your dentist about how to cover the months your teeth are moving. Common approaches include:

• Getting a fit check during treatment and having the guard adjusted or remade if it no longer sits well.
• Planning a new custom guard at the end of treatment, once your teeth are in their final position, so it fits your new smile.
• Asking your dentist about interim options if you're mid-season and your teeth are changing quickly.

Whatever you use, a mouthguard should feel firm but comfortable. Dental Health Services Victoria says it should let you talk, breathe and swallow normally. If yours rocks, digs in or makes you gag, get it checked.

A simple game-day routine

The fact: Aligners only move teeth while they're in your mouth, so the goal is to keep them out for the game and not a minute longer.

1. Pack the kit: aligner case, mouthguard and its case, a toothbrush and a water bottle.
2. Just before warm-up, put your aligners straight into their case, never loose in a kit bag or wrapped in a tissue.
3. Fit your mouthguard and wear it for the whole session, including training drills. The Australian Dental Association recommends wearing one at training and on game day.
4. During play, stick to water where possible. Sports drinks are sugary and acidic, which is worth keeping in mind if you're about to seal your teeth under aligners again.
5. Afterwards, rinse your mouth with water, brush if you can, then put your aligners back in.
6. Clean your mouthguard. Better Health Channel advises rinsing it in soap and warm (not hot) water after each use, letting it air-dry and storing it in a ventilated case away from direct sunlight and hot cars.

How sport affects your wear time

Smileie's daytime aligners are designed to be worn for around 20 hours a day. A game or training session of an hour or two usually fits comfortably within that, alongside meals and cleaning. The trap is when sport stretches into a long afternoon with a team meal and the drive home, so your teeth may not track as planned. Our guide to wear time and common mistakes explains why consistency matters.

Gym, running and cycling

The fact: Not all exercise carries the same risk. For lower-risk activities, many people keep their aligners in, but some activities still deserve a mouthguard.

Lower-risk activities

For jogging, weights, yoga or a spin class, there's usually little chance of a blow to the face, and many aligner wearers keep their trays in. A few things help:

• Drink plain water only while your aligners are in. Sugary or flavoured drinks can pool under the plastic against your teeth.
• Watch for a dry mouth. Breathing hard through your mouth can dry it out. Our article on why aligners cause dry mouth has practical fixes.
• Avoid clenching hard on your aligners during heavy lifts. If you notice you clench, mention it to your dentist.

Activities that still need protection

Better Health Channel reports that cycling, skateboarding and scooter riding account for about 44% of dental injuries, more than many team sports. Football, boxing, basketball, netball, cricket, hockey and soccer account for up to 14%. So if your activity involves speed, falls or flying balls, treat it like a contact sport: aligners out, mouthguard in.

What to do if a tooth is injured on the field

The fact: A knocked-out adult tooth is a dental emergency. The Western Australian Government's Healthy WA site says teeth replanted within 30 minutes have the best chance of surviving.

Healthy WA sets out these first-aid steps for a knocked-out adult tooth:

1. Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (the white part). Don't touch the root.
2. If it's dirty, rinse it in milk, or briefly under cold tap water if milk isn't available. Never use antiseptic.
3. Gently put it back in its socket, using the neighbouring teeth as a guide.
4. Hold it in place by biting on a cloth or with gentle finger pressure.
5. Get to a dentist immediately.

If you can't put it back, Healthy WA says to keep it moist, for example in a glass of milk or between the cheek and gum, and not to store it in water or on ice. Baby teeth should not be replanted.

Once the emergency is over

Report any knock to the teeth to your dental team, even if it seems minor, because a chipped or loosened tooth can change how your aligners fit. Don't force an aligner onto a sore or freshly treated tooth. If your aligners stop fitting properly afterwards, our guide to aligners not fitting explains the common causes.

How Smileie fits around a sporty lifestyle

The fact: Smileie offers daytime aligners worn about 20 hours a day and night-time aligners worn about 10 hours a day, mostly while you sleep.

For people who train or play often, night-time aligners can be an appealing option, because most of the wear happens overnight and your days are free for sport with just a mouthguard. Daytime aligners work well too, provided you build sport into your routine and get straight back into your trays afterwards. Your dental team will recommend the option that best suits your teeth, and not every case is suitable for night-time wear.

Every Smileie plan starts with a free smile assessment. You take moulds of your teeth at home, our clinical team plans your treatment, and you see a 3D preview of your planned smile before any aligners are made. Read more on our how at-home clear aligners work page. Packages are priced in AUD, include two sets of retainers and a free refinement, and at the time of writing some daytime packages are listed under $1,000 upfront, with instalment plans available. Prices and offers change, so check the pricing page for current details.

Once treatment finishes, retainers keep your teeth in their new position. That's also the right time to get a new custom mouthguard made to fit your final smile. Our guide to why retainers are essential after aligners explains the next stage.

Common questions

• Can I wear my clear aligners instead of a mouthguard?No. Clear aligners are thin trays designed to move teeth, not to absorb impact. Dental Health Services Victoria recommends a mouthguard at least 4mm thick. For contact or collision sports, take your aligners out and wear a proper sports mouthguard.
• Can I wear a mouthguard over my clear aligners?It isn't generally recommended unless your dentist has specifically advised it. A mouthguard is shaped to fit your teeth, so wearing it over an aligner can make it sit loosely and protect less well. The usual approach is to remove your aligners, wear the mouthguard, then put your aligners back in straight after.
• Will my old mouthguard still fit during aligner treatment?It may not. Your teeth move a little with every new set of aligners, so a mouthguard made before treatment can stop fitting well. Better Health Channel advises replacing an adult's mouthguard after dental treatment. Ask your dentist to check the fit during treatment and plan a new custom guard once your teeth are in their final position.
• How long can I take my aligners out for sport?A game or training session of an hour or two usually fits within a daytime wear plan of around 20 hours a day. Put your aligners back in as soon as you've finished and rinsed your mouth. If sport regularly keeps you out of your aligners for longer, talk to your dental team.
• Can I keep my aligners in at the gym or while running?For lower-risk exercise such as jogging, weights or yoga, many people keep their aligners in. Drink only plain water while they're in and avoid clenching hard. For cycling, skateboarding or anything with a risk of falls or impact, take them out and wear a mouthguard.
• What should I do if a tooth is knocked out while I'm having aligner treatment?Treat it as an emergency. Healthy WA advises holding the tooth by the crown, rinsing it in milk if it's dirty, gently putting it back in its socket and getting to a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 minutes. Once the emergency is managed, let your aligner provider know before wearing your aligners again.

Sources: Australian Dental Association, Sports mouthguards; Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), Mouthguards; Dental Health Services Victoria, Don't hit the field without a mouthguard this footy season; Healthy WA (Government of Western Australia), Dental injury: knocked-out tooth.

This article provides general information, not individual dental or medical advice. Treatment suitability, results and treatment time vary from person to person, and prices change. A dentist should assess your teeth, gums and bite, advise on the right mouthguard for your sport, and supervise your care. In a dental emergency, see a dentist straight away.