An easily applied device is described that protects the soft tissues inside of the mouth from abrasion by orthodontic braces. The device consists of a putty-like, moldable material that may be pressed onto and into and molded about the brackets and wires of orthodontic braces, and a plasticized and dehydrated or partially dehydrated hydrogel-forming layer on those surfaces of the device that contact the braces and teeth so as to absorb saliva and dry to some extent the surfaces to which the device is pressed and to offer initial adhesion of the device to the teeth and/or braces.