Braces Pain? Put a Jacket on Your Brackets! Great for Wrestlers, too!

At DentaKit.com we carry several lip protectors which cover your braces, and we're really excited about this new one: Bracket Jacket. It's the first boil-and-bite braces guard that is custom-formed just for your teeth. And better yet, it allows for tooth movement, so you won't have to worry about it messing up your treatment.

It covers both the front and back of your teeth and prevents discomfort caused by sharp brackets and wires. Great for lingual braces (on the back of the teeth)! This clear guard allows teeth to move, and leaves space to wear rubber bands.

It's really easy to custom fit the guard, and full instructions are included with the product, as well as the manufacturer's 800 phone number to call for assistance or questions.

Just heat the Bracket Jacket in hot water and press each tray to the teeth with braces to fit over and around the hardware. During daily wear, just peel Bracket Jacket off and then press it on to fit back into place.

When it's formed, the Bracket Jacket becomes relatively clear, like a clear aligner. You can occasionally eat with the Bracket Jacket in place, but it is not recommended on an everyday basis. You can wear Bracket Jacket for light contact sports (such as wrestling) as a mouth guard (it covers all biting surfaces; however, it does not protect from concussion). It's a great device to wear to protect your mouth when you sleep. And yes, it will work for lingual (behind the teeth) braces, with extra patience when forming the device.

Each package includes two trays (one for the top teeth and one for the bottom teeth) and full instructions. Bracket Jacket is manufactured from FDA-approved soft EVA material, and is free of BPA, phthalates, and latex. Buy two packages and save one for later if your teeth move months from now! Check it out here: http://www.dentakit.com/bracketjacket.html

ComfortBrace: Like a "whitestrip," only better!

Braces are literally a pain, especially when you first get them on and they begin rubbing the inside of your mouth raw. Mouth sores are not fun when you have braces, and people are always looking for a way to prevent them, or at least make them stop hurting for a while. So when a new product comes along that will make those first weeks in braces less irritating, I get very excited.

That's where a new product called ComfortBrace comes in. It looks like a "whitestrip," but contains no whitening chemicals. Like those infamous whitening strips, it totally covers your teeth -- or in this case, your teeth and your braces -- creating a barrier between your brackets and the inside of your mouth.  ComfortBrace Protective Strips are a bit thicker than a "whitestrip" and will stay on your teeth all day, even when you are eating or drinking. They're also ideal to wear overnight. Clear and discreet, Comfort Brace Strips also have a minty fresh flavor.

ComfortBrace strips do not contain any harsh chemicals and will not harm your teeth or your braces. They are latex-free and BPA-free. Application and removal of the strips is easy. Full instructions are included with the product.

ComfortBrace strips are made from the same superior trade ingredients found in most dental products on the market today: Carbomer 980, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC), Sorbitol, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Polyethylene & Polypropylene, Acrylates Copolymer, Water, and Mint Flavor.

Each box of ComfortBrace strips contains 24 individually foil-sealed strips. Each strip is meant for one use (they are not re-usable). It's a great product for people in speaking positions whose braces are irritating their mouths, or any braces wearer who just wants to be a little more comfortable.

Wrestling and Braces

Most adults wrestle with their braces. But then there are high school wrestlers who have braces -- and wrestle with finding something to cover them!

I learn the most about our products from our customers, and this is no exception. It turns out, our Lip Protector product is extremely popular with high school wrestlers! It totally covers the brackets, and since it has such a slim profile, it doesn't interfere at all with the wrestler's breathing. Unlike a mouth guard, the Lip Protector covers only the front of the teeth. In that regard, you must remember that it will not protect a child's mouth or brain from heavy impact. All it does is protect you from your braces -- or other wrestlers from getting scratched by your braces. It is not meant to replace a mouth guard.

A similar product is the Comfort Cover, which totally encases the brackets. Both products sell for $8.50 per set. One set includes a top piece and a bottom piece. Remember to clean them regularly either with soap and water, or a retainer cleaner like Retainer Brite. Otherwise, they will begin to smell like the inside of your kid's gym bag. And you wouldn't want that inside your kid's mouth!

If you need more serious protection, we also carry two braces mouthguards by Shock Doctor: a double braces mouth guard and a single braces mouth guard.

Please check with your wrestling coach to ensure that it is "legal" to wear these braces covers in competition. We wouldn't want you to forfeit a match because you have the wrong equipment in your mouth!