Every season, athletes at every level face a real risk of oral injury. Blows to the mouth, collisions, and unexpected falls can damage teeth, soft tissues, and the jaw — injuries that are painful and, in some cases, permanent. Beyond the immediate pain, dental trauma can lead to long-term restorative work, time away from play, and complications that affect eating and speaking. Preventing these outcomes starts with sensible, proven protection: a properly fitted sports mouthguard.
Wearing a mouthguard is one of the simplest and most effective steps an athlete can take to reduce the severity of sport-related oral injuries. Mouthguards cushion impacts, help disperse force, and create a barrier between the teeth and soft tissues. That protection matters not only in contact sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse, but also in activities where falls or stray objects are possible, like skateboarding, biking, and gymnastics.
The right approach to mouthguard use also supports confidence and performance. Athletes who trust their equipment are less likely to hesitate during play and can focus on technique rather than the fear of injury. For families and coaches, recommending mouthguards is a practical safety decision that complements other protective gear without restricting movement or comfort when the guard fits well.
Mouthguards come in three main varieties, each offering different levels of fit, comfort, and protection. Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and ready to wear out of the package; they fit most loosely and often require the user to clench their jaw to hold them in place. Boil-and-bite guards, made from thermoplastic material, soften in hot water so you can shape them around the teeth for a better fit. Finally, custom mouthguards are crafted by dental professionals from impressions of an athlete’s mouth and provide the most accurate fit and consistent protection.
While stock and boil-and-bite options provide basic impact resistance and can be useful for casual play or temporary needs, they have limitations in comfort and retention. Poorly fitting guards may impede breathing, talking, or even distract an athlete during critical moments. Custom-made guards, by contrast, are molded to the contours of the individual’s teeth and mouth, offering improved stability, comfort, and often enhanced protection against concussion-related rotational forces.
When advising patients or families, it’s helpful to match the type of guard to the athlete’s level of involvement and any special dental considerations. Recreational participants may prioritize convenience, while competitive athletes and those in high-contact sports often benefit from the superior fit and durability of a custom appliance. The practice can evaluate needs, discuss sport-specific requirements, and recommend the most appropriate option for each individual.
Custom mouthguards are created from precise dental impressions and laboratory fabrication, which allows for a tailored thickness and coverage that reflects the athlete’s bite and oral anatomy. This precision improves retention so the guard stays securely in place during impact and rapid movement. It also reduces excess bulk, making breathing and communication easier while still maintaining a high level of shock absorption.
Beyond comfort, custom guards support better protection of dental restorations, orthodontic brackets, and vulnerable tooth structures. For players who wear crowns, bridges, or implants, a personalized mouthguard distributes forces more evenly and minimizes the risk of damage to these restorations. Athletes with particular bite patterns or jaw alignment issues can also benefit from a guard shaped to accommodate those specifics, reducing the chance of jaw strain during play.
Durability is another advantage: laboratory-made guards commonly use higher-quality materials and construction techniques, so they resist wear and maintain their shape for longer than store-bought alternatives. For families with growing athletes, periodic reassessment ensures the guard continues to fit properly as the mouth changes — an important step in maintaining both comfort and protection season after season.
Athletes undergoing orthodontic treatment or with extensive dental work need extra attention when selecting a mouthguard. Brackets and wires create points of contact where a standard guard might not provide sufficient cushioning, and untreated gaps can increase the risk of soft-tissue injury. A properly designed mouthguard helps shield both the hardware and the surrounding tissues, reducing lacerations and minimizing the likelihood of damage to orthodontic appliances.
For players with braces, the ideal guard often includes additional space or specialized padding to prevent it from pressing directly against brackets or causing discomfort. In some cases, the lab can fabricate a dual-laminate guard with a softer interior layer to protect delicate oral tissues while preserving the outer shell’s protective strength. Athletes with crowns, implants, or partial dentures should also consider custom options that take those restorations into account during design.
Regular check-ins with the dental team are important during orthodontic treatment. Adjustments to the mouthguard may be needed as teeth move, and any signs of wear or reduced fit should prompt a review. With attentive planning, players can continue both orthodontic progress and athletic participation safely and with minimal interruption.
To get the most from a mouthguard, athletes and caregivers should follow simple care and storage practices. Rinse the guard with cool water after each use and clean it regularly with a toothbrush and mild soap or a non-abrasive denture cleaner. Avoid high heat or hot water, which can distort the material, and store the guard in a ventilated container to prevent bacterial buildup. Inspect the guard routinely for cracks, deformation, or thinning, and replace it if it shows signs of deterioration.
Encouraging consistent wear is as important as choosing the right guard. Coaches, trainers, and parents can reinforce that mouthguards are essential equipment — not optional add-ons — especially in sports with known contact risks. Teach athletes how to insert and remove the guard correctly, and remind them never to chew on it or use it as a toy, which shortens service life and can compromise protection.
If a mouthguard becomes loose, warped, or uncomfortable, stop using it until a dental professional evaluates the issue. Our clinical team can assess fit, recommend adjustments, or provide a replacement option designed to restore proper retention and comfort. Routine evaluations also help accommodate growth and changes in dental work, ensuring long-term safety for active mouths.
Summary: Protecting your smile is a straightforward decision that pays dividends in safety, confidence, and long-term oral health. Whether an athlete is starting out in youth leagues or competing at higher levels, selecting the appropriate mouthguard and maintaining it correctly significantly reduces the risk of dental and facial injuries. For personalized recommendations and to learn about custom-fit options, contact Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry for more information. We’re happy to help you choose the best protection for your athlete’s needs.
A sports mouthguard is a removable oral appliance designed to cushion and distribute forces to the teeth, gums, and jaw during impact. It creates a barrier that reduces direct contact between teeth and soft tissues, helping to prevent chips, fractures, and lacerations. Properly fitted guards also help stabilize the jaw and can reduce the severity of certain dental injuries.
Wearing a mouthguard does not eliminate all risk, but it significantly lowers the likelihood of traumatic dental damage in many common sports scenarios. Mouthguards are useful in contact sports like football and hockey as well as activities with fall risk such as biking and gymnastics. When athletes feel secure in their protection, they can focus more fully on performance and technique.
Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and ready to wear, offering basic protection but often poor fit and retention. Boil-and-bite guards are thermoplastic and can be softened in hot water then shaped around the teeth for an improved fit compared with stock models. Custom mouthguards are made from dental impressions and fabricated in a laboratory, providing the most accurate fit, comfort, and consistency in thickness.
Each type has trade-offs: stock guards are inexpensive and immediate, boil-and-bite models improve fit for many users, and custom devices deliver superior retention and durability. For casual or occasional play, a boil-and-bite guard may be acceptable, while competitive athletes and those with dental restorations often benefit most from custom fabrication. The right choice depends on the level of contact, frequency of play, and any dental considerations unique to the athlete.
Custom mouthguards are tailored to an individual’s bite and oral anatomy, which improves retention and reduces bulk so breathing and speaking remain easier during activity. This precise fit lowers the chance of displacement during play and enhances shock absorption where it is most needed. Custom devices can also be designed with variable thickness to balance comfort and protection for the demands of a given sport.
Competitive athletes often face higher impact forces and longer playing seasons, so the enhanced durability and consistent protection of custom guards are important advantages. These guards can also be fabricated to protect dental restorations and to accommodate unique bite patterns or jaw alignment. Regular evaluation ensures the device continues to fit as teeth shift or dental work changes over time.
Braces and wires create additional contact points that can increase the risk of soft-tissue lacerations and appliance damage during impact. A properly designed mouthguard provides a protective layer over brackets and wires, helping to cushion blows and reduce the likelihood of cuts to the cheeks and lips. In many cases, the interior of the guard is made with a softer material or increased space to avoid pressing directly against orthodontic hardware.
Lab-fabricated options can include dual-laminate construction with a soft inner layer and a tougher outer shell to balance comfort and protection. Athletes with active orthodontic treatment should have their mouthguard evaluated and adjusted frequently as teeth move. With careful planning and follow-up, players can continue treatment while maintaining appropriate protection during sports.
Rinse the mouthguard with cool water immediately after use and clean it regularly with a toothbrush and mild soap or a non-abrasive denture cleaner to remove bacteria and debris. Avoid hot water or direct heat sources, which can warp or deform the material and reduce protective function. Allow the guard to dry before storing it to discourage microbial growth.
Store the mouthguard in a ventilated container to keep it protected between uses and to allow air circulation. Inspect the device routinely for tears, thinning, or distortion and discontinue use if any damage is evident. Bring the guard to dental appointments for professional inspection and cleaning recommendations.
A mouthguard should be replaced if it shows visible signs of wear such as cracks, holes, thinning areas, or loss of shape that affects fit and retention. Growth and dental changes — including eruption of new teeth, orthodontic adjustments, or restoration work — can alter fit and require adjustment or a new device. If the guard becomes loose, warped, or causes discomfort, it should be taken out of service until evaluated.
Replacement is also recommended after a significant impact, even if damage is not readily apparent, because internal changes to the material may compromise protection. Athletes undergoing orthodontic treatment will typically need more frequent updates as teeth move. Schedule a dental review whenever fit becomes questionable or after changes in dental work or bite alignment.
Mouthguards are effective at protecting teeth, soft tissues, and the jaw from many types of sport-related injury, but evidence about their ability to prevent concussions is mixed. Some research suggests reduced transmission of certain impact forces, while other studies find minimal or no effect on the brain’s rotational and translational forces that contribute to concussion. Because concussions involve complex biomechanics, no mouthguard can guarantee prevention.
For concussion risk reduction, mouthguards should be considered one component of a broader safety strategy that includes proper helmets, well-enforced rules, and safe technique training. Athletes and coaches should rely on sport-specific protective standards and consult with medical professionals about concussion prevention and return-to-play protocols. The dental team can help ensure the mouthguard fits correctly and does not interfere with other protective equipment.
The process begins with a clinical evaluation and precise impressions or digital scans of the athlete’s teeth and bite. These records are sent to a dental laboratory where a technician constructs a model and fabricates the mouthguard using high-quality thermoplastic or laminated materials tailored for the athlete’s needs. The lab process allows control over thickness, contouring, and layer composition to match sport demands and comfort preferences.
At a follow-up appointment, the dentist fits the device, trims excess material, and verifies retention, breathing, and speech function. Minor adjustments can be made chairside to ensure optimal fit and comfort. Periodic reassessment is recommended to maintain effectiveness as dental conditions or activity levels change.
Yes, different sports present distinct patterns of impact and breathing or communication needs, so these factors should guide mouthguard selection. Contact sports may prioritize thicker or multi-layered protection, while sports requiring frequent verbal communication or heavy breathing may benefit from a lower-profile design that preserves airflow and speech clarity. Position-specific demands — for example, a lineman versus a quarterback — can also influence the ideal guard characteristics.
Regulatory and league requirements may dictate approved designs or materials, so coaches and parents should confirm any rules before purchase. Discussing the athlete’s sport, position, and competitive level with the dental team helps ensure the chosen appliance balances protection, comfort, and compliance with governing standards. Properly matched equipment supports both safety and performance.
Our clinical team evaluates oral health, bite relationships, and any special dental considerations such as crowns, implants, or orthodontic appliances to recommend the most appropriate type of mouthguard. We can take impressions or digital scans and arrange for laboratory fabrication of a custom device tailored to the athlete’s needs and sport. During the delivery visit, we verify fit, make necessary adjustments, and provide instruction on insertion, removal, and daily care.
We also offer follow-up assessments to monitor fit as the athlete grows or as dental work changes, and we advise when replacement or repair is needed. Bringing the mouthguard to routine dental visits allows the team to inspect for wear and to ensure the appliance continues to provide effective protection. If you have specific questions about protection for your athlete, our Mount Vernon, Ohio office can evaluate the situation and outline appropriate options.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always ready to assist you. You can reach us by phone at (740) 393-2161 or by using the convenient contact form below. If you submit the form, a member of our staff will respond within 24–48 hours.
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