Sports Mouthguards

Sports mouthguards are flexible devices worn over the teeth to absorb and distribute forces from impacts and to protect soft tissues inside the mouth. They reduce the likelihood of chipped or knocked-out teeth, lip and cheek lacerations, and other oral injuries that can occur during athletic activity. Mouthguards are recommended for athletes of all ages whenever play involves physical contact, rapid movement, or risk of falls.

Parents, coaches and athletic programs should view mouthguards as preventive equipment that complements helmets and other protective gear. Even noncontact sports can present hazards from incidental collisions, stray balls or hard surfaces, so casual and competitive players alike benefit from consistent use. Regular consultation with your dental provider helps determine the best type of guard for each athlete’s needs and level of play.

The three primary categories are stock (ready-to-wear) mouthguards, boil-and-bite models, and custom-made guards created by a dental professional. Stock guards come preformed and often require little preparation, but they tend to fit poorly and can interfere with breathing and speech. Boil-and-bite guards soften in hot water and offer a better fit than stock options, though they still rely on the user’s molding and may be bulky or less stable over time.

Custom mouthguards are fabricated from an impression or digital scan of the athlete’s mouth, producing a close, comfortable fit that improves retention and comfort. Because they are tailored to an individual’s bite and soft tissues, custom guards are typically thinner and allow clearer speech and easier breathing while maintaining protection. Choosing among these options depends on frequency of use, level of contact in the sport, and any special dental considerations.

Fit is the most important factor in a mouthguard’s effectiveness because a well-fitting device stays in place during play and reliably absorbs and distributes impact forces. A guard that shifts or requires frequent adjustment distracts the athlete and can fail to protect vulnerable teeth and tissues. Custom-made guards are designed to match the contours of the dental arch and bite, minimizing movement and reducing the chance of soft-tissue injuries.

Comfort and stability from a properly fitted guard also improve compliance, meaning athletes are more likely to wear the device consistently during practice and competition. Better fit typically allows for clearer speech and less breathing restriction, which can be important in team sports and endurance activities. For athletes who train regularly or compete at higher levels, the improved functionality of a custom guard often enhances both safety and on-field performance.

Mouthguards help absorb and disperse forces to the teeth and jaw and can reduce certain types of facial and dental trauma, but evidence about their ability to prevent concussions is mixed. Some laboratory studies suggest that well-designed mouthguards may decrease rotational forces transmitted to the head, while clinical studies have not uniformly shown a significant reduction in concussion rates solely from mouthguard use. Because concussions involve complex brain mechanics, no single piece of oral equipment can eliminate the risk entirely.

Using a mouthguard as part of a broader safety strategy — including helmets, proper technique, rule enforcement and conditioning — is the best approach to reduce overall injury risk. Athletes and caregivers should prioritize certified protective equipment appropriate to the sport and follow guidance from coaches and medical professionals. If concussion risk is a primary concern, discuss sport-specific protective strategies with your dental and medical team.

Orthodontic appliances and dental restorations alter the surface geometry of the mouth, so off-the-shelf guards may not fit properly or could cause irritation. For patients with braces, a custom mouthguard can be fabricated to accommodate brackets and wires while providing cushioning that protects both the appliances and the soft tissues. A well-designed guard prevents brackets from cutting the inside of the lips and distributes impact forces away from vulnerable areas.

Patients with crowns, implants or other restorative work benefit from a tailored design that shields restorations from direct blows and helps spread forces across the dental arch. Custom fabrication allows the dentist to account for restorative margins and implant positions, reducing the chance of damage. Regular dental follow-up ensures the guard continues to fit as orthodontic treatment progresses or as restorative needs change.

After each use, rinse the mouthguard thoroughly with cool water and allow it to air dry before storing it in a ventilated case to reduce bacterial growth. Avoid exposing the guard to high heat, hot water or direct sunlight, which can warp thermoplastic materials and compromise fit. Clean the guard regularly with a soft toothbrush and a mild, nonabrasive cleanser to remove plaque and odors without damaging the material.

For periodic deep cleaning, use products recommended by your dental professional or a gentle antimicrobial soak designed for oral appliances; avoid household chemicals that could degrade the guard. Inspect the device frequently for thinning, tears or distortion and replace it if you see any damage. If you have specific cleaning questions or unique dental conditions, ask the team at Inspirational Smiles for guidance tailored to your mouthguard type.

A mouthguard should be replaced whenever it shows signs of wear such as holes, thinning, tears or permanent deformation that affect fit and retention. Growth and dental changes in children and adolescents can also necessitate more frequent replacement as baby teeth are lost and permanent teeth erupt. Frequent players may need to replace guards more often than occasional users because repetitive impacts and handling accelerate material fatigue.

If the mouthguard no longer fits snugly, causes discomfort, or interferes with breathing or speech, it is time for an evaluation and likely replacement. Schedule periodic checks during routine dental visits so a professional can assess fit and function, especially when orthodontic treatment or restorative work is underway. Prompt replacement helps maintain reliable protection and reduces the risk of preventable injury.

The custom fabrication process typically begins with an impression or a digital scan of the patient’s teeth to capture precise contours and bite relationships. The dental laboratory or in-office milling system then uses that model to fabricate a guard from durable, sport-grade materials that balance shock absorption with thinness and comfort. The result is a device tailored to the patient’s dental anatomy for improved retention and performance.

At the appointment for fitting, the dentist checks the guard for proper occlusion, comfort and ease of breathing and makes any necessary adjustments to edges or thickness. Depending on the practice, final trim and polishing occur before the patient takes the device home, and follow-up checks ensure ongoing fit. Discuss materials, expected lifespan and care instructions with your dental team so your custom guard serves you well throughout the season.

High-contact sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby and certain martial arts have an elevated risk of dental injury and strongly recommend mouthguard use. Many school and league policies require guards for these activities, and athletes in other sports like basketball, soccer, baseball and skateboarding may also encounter situations where a mouthguard is prudent. Coaches and parents should consider the intensity of play, frequency of participation and history of prior oral injuries when deciding on protection.

Children and adolescents deserve special attention because growth and tooth eruption patterns affect fit and the need for periodic replacement. Younger athletes are also more likely to sustain dental injuries during falls and collisions, so consistent mouthguard use is important. Athletic programs and schools that adopt clear mouthguard policies help normalize protection and increase compliance across age groups.

Patients who want a custom sports mouthguard can schedule an evaluation at Inspirational Smiles, where our team assesses dental history, orthodontic status and restorative work to recommend the best solution. We serve families in Cumming, Georgia and provide individualized fittings that prioritize comfort, retention and sport-specific needs. During the appointment we may take an impression or digital scan and discuss material options and care instructions to match the athlete’s level of play.

Following the initial fit, we encourage follow-up checks to verify ongoing comfort and performance, especially for growing athletes or those undergoing orthodontic treatment. Our staff will answer questions about cleaning, storage and signs that indicate replacement is necessary. Contact the practice to arrange an appointment or to learn which mouthguard option best fits your child’s or your athletic goals.