Injuries caused by braces to the soft tissues of the mouth are more common than you might imagine. Injuries can happen to the teeth, cheeks, tongue, lips, or even the roof of your child’s mouth. Lacerations in the mouth tend to bleed a great deal, so don’t assume that a lot of blood means a very serious injury. The first thing you want to do is have your youth apply an ice cube wrapped in gauze to stop the bleeding. Then you can investigate just how much real damage has been done. If there is any harm to the teeth, such as a loosened tooth or a tooth that has been jammed up further into the gums than it should be, an emergency room visit may be warranted. Call an emergency dentist or bring your child to the nearest emergency room so professionals can assess the damage. More often, though, braces cause damage to the soft tissues like the gums, lips, and cheeks. Any time your kid is bumped or hit in the face, the brackets or wires of the braces can get stuck in these soft tissues. This can cause a great deal of pain while not actually causing serious harm. The first thing to do is separate the braces from the skin and stop the bleeding. Unless there is a wound that doesn’t close, stitches may not be necessary. The inside of the mouth heals faster than almost any part of the body, so it should quickly heal on its own. Most braces-related harm occurs during the daytime, of course, but it’s entirely possible for your youth to injure their mouth at night. Read on to see how the CustMbite Nightguard could help prevent these types of injuries.