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Sports-related collisions, falls, and impacts send millions of people to emergency rooms each year with injuries to teeth, lips, cheeks, and the jaw. While helmets and pads guard the bigger parts of the body, the mouth is still at risk in many common recreational and competitive activities. A properly fitted mouthguard acts as a first line of defense, absorbing and dispersing forces that would otherwise be transferred directly to teeth and soft tissues.
Beyond avoiding a chipped tooth or a split lip, preventing oral injuries helps maintain chewing function, speech, and long-term dental health. When a tooth is fractured or knocked out, treatment can be complex and can affect the surrounding teeth and gum tissue. Preventive measures such as mouthguards reduce the likelihood of these disruptive and sometimes permanent outcomes.
For parents, coaches, and athletes, the question is not simply whether a mouthguard can help, but how to choose one that balances comfort, protection, and ease of use. Making the right choice increases the odds that the guard will be worn consistently — which is the most important factor in keeping teeth and mouths safe during play.
There are three primary categories of mouthguards available: stock (ready-to-wear), boil-and-bite, and custom-made appliances created by a dental professional. Stock guards are pre-shaped and inexpensive, but they often fit poorly and can interfere with breathing and speech. Boil-and-bite options, made from thermoplastic materials, offer an intermediate solution by allowing the wearer to soften the guard in hot water and shape it around the teeth for a better fit.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated from impressions or digital scans of the athlete’s mouth and are designed to sit snugly against the teeth without excess bulk. These provide the best combination of retention, comfort, and predictable protection, especially for athletes who play contact sports or those who wear braces or other dental appliances. For people with orthodontic hardware, a design that accommodates brackets and wires is essential to avoid additional injury.
When evaluating options, consider how the guard affects breathing, speaking, and hydration. A mouthguard that makes it difficult to breathe or communicate is less likely to be used consistently, which undermines its protective purpose. A small time investment in selecting the correct type pays dividends in both safety and ongoing wearability.
Custom mouthguards are shaped from precise impressions or intraoral scans and then fabricated by a dental laboratory according to the clinician’s specifications. This process creates a closer, more stable fit that reduces movement during impact and improves comfort. A secure fit also minimizes gagging and irritation, helping athletes of all ages keep their guard in place without constant adjustment.
Materials used for custom guards are chosen for durability, shock absorption, and biocompatibility. Because the design can be tailored, dentists can add targeted reinforcement in high-impact zones or increase coverage for patients with restorative work. The result is a device that protects teeth and soft tissues while allowing for normal breathing and clear communication — critical factors for performance and safety on the field.
For young athletes, a custom guard can be adjusted or replaced as the mouth changes with growth or orthodontic treatment. Working with a dental professional ensures that the guard continues to fit properly over time and that it accommodates any unique dental anatomy or oral appliances.
Regular care extends the life and effectiveness of any mouthguard. Rinse the appliance with cool water or a nonalcoholic mouth rinse after each use, and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap a few times per week to remove debris and biofilm. Avoid high heat, which can warp thermoplastic materials, and store the guard in a ventilated container to prevent bacterial growth between uses.
Inspect a mouthguard frequently for signs of wear — thinning, cracks, or changes in shape — as these reduce its protective ability. If a guard shows damage, no longer fits properly, or is causing discomfort, it should be replaced. Athletes who grind their teeth or have active orthodontic work may need replacements more often, so periodic evaluation by a dental professional is recommended.
Proper storage and transportation are also important: keep the guard away from direct sunlight, hot cars, and curious pets. By following straightforward maintenance steps, athletes can preserve hygiene and performance while ensuring the guard will be ready when it’s needed most.
Mouthguards are recommended for many organized and recreational activities where the face is at risk. Sports with frequent contact, rapid direction changes, or hard projectiles — including football, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, and martial arts — are common examples. However, even lower-contact sports can present unexpected hazards, so wearing a guard during practices and games offers consistent protection.
Coaches and league organizers often set standards for protective equipment, and many school programs require mouthguards for youth athletes. Proper instruction on fitting and wearing the appliance helps ensure compliance: the guard should fit securely, allow clear breathing, and remain in place during movement. Athletes should practice inserting and removing the guard so it becomes second nature during play.
While mouthguards are highly effective at preventing dental and soft-tissue injuries, they are one part of a comprehensive safety strategy that includes proper technique, conditioning, and protective gear for other body regions. Understanding the guard’s role and limitations helps athletes, parents, and coaches make informed decisions about safety protocols and equipment choices.
New Day Dentistry is available to help athletes and families choose the best option and to fabricate custom mouthguards when needed. Contact us for more information about protecting your smile and planning a guard that fits your activity and needs.
A sports mouthguard is a removable oral appliance designed to shield teeth, gums, and soft tissues from impact during athletic activity. It helps absorb and disperse forces that would otherwise be transmitted directly to teeth, lips, cheeks, and the jaw. By reducing the risk of chips, fractures, and avulsions, a mouthguard supports short-term safety and long-term dental health.
Wearing a mouthguard also helps preserve oral function such as chewing and speech after an impact and can minimize damage to surrounding teeth and periodontal tissues. Consistent use during practices and games is the single most important factor in preventing dental injuries. Mouthguards are one component of a comprehensive safety strategy that includes proper technique, conditioning, and other protective equipment.
There are three common categories of mouthguards: stock (ready-to-wear), boil-and-bite, and custom-made devices created by a dental professional. Stock guards are inexpensive and preformed, but they often fit poorly and can interfere with breathing and speech. Boil-and-bite guards are made from thermoplastic material that softens in hot water and can be molded around the teeth for an improved fit compared with stock models.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated from impressions or digital scans and offer the closest match to the wearer’s anatomy, providing superior retention and comfort. Material choices and layered construction in custom guards allow targeted shock absorption and increased durability. When choosing a type, consider retention, breathability, communication needs, and whether orthodontic hardware or restorations require special accommodation.
Custom mouthguards generally deliver the best combination of fit, comfort, and protection because they are tailored to the individual’s oral anatomy. A snug, stable fit reduces appliance movement during play, which improves protection and decreases the likelihood of gagging or frequent adjustment. For athletes in contact sports, individuals who wear braces, or those who have extensive restorative work, the predictable protection and accommodation of dental hardware often make custom guards the preferred choice.
Boil-and-bite guards can be a reasonable interim option for casual participants or when cost and rapid access are primary concerns, but their fit is less consistent and their materials may wear more quickly. The improved retention and targeted reinforcement possible with custom devices also support better breathing and communication on the field. Ultimately, the best option balances consistent use, comfort, and the level of risk associated with the sport.
Custom mouthguards start with an accurate record of the mouth using either traditional dental impressions or digital intraoral scans. The clinician specifies design features such as thickness, coverage, and any reinforcements needed to protect restorations or orthodontic appliances, and a dental laboratory fabricates the final device from durable, biocompatible materials. The result is an appliance that fits closely against the teeth and gums with minimal bulk while maintaining breathability and comfort.
At the delivery appointment the clinician evaluates fit and function, makes any minor adjustments, and provides instructions for wear and care. For growing athletes or patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, follow-up visits allow for adjustments or refabrication as the mouth changes. This clinical oversight helps ensure that the guard remains effective and comfortable over time.
Rinse the mouthguard with cool water after each use and allow it to air dry before storing it in a ventilated case. Brush the appliance gently a few times per week with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or a nonalcoholic mouth rinse to remove plaque and debris; avoid abrasive toothpaste and high heat, which can create surface damage or warping. Periodic deep cleaning can be performed using denture cleaner or a manufacturer-recommended disinfectant following product instructions.
Store the guard in a sturdy, ventilated container away from direct sunlight, hot environments, and pets that may chew it. Inspect the appliance regularly for thinning, tears, or changes in shape that might reduce protection. If you share a case or participate on a team, label the case to prevent mix-ups and always transport the guard in its protective container to avoid contamination and physical damage.
Mouthguards should be replaced whenever they show signs of wear such as thinning, cracks, holes, or deformation that affect fit and retention. Children and adolescents typically need new guards more frequently because growth and orthodontic changes alter the fit, while heavy grinders or athletes who use their guard daily may also require sooner replacement. Any report of discomfort, looseness, or diminished retention warrants evaluation by a dental professional.
Routine professional checkups provide an opportunity to assess the guard’s condition and fit, and clinicians can recommend replacement intervals based on individual use patterns and oral changes. Keeping a simple inspection schedule—visual check before each use and more detailed inspection weekly—helps ensure the guard remains ready when needed. Replacing a compromised guard preserves protective performance and reduces the risk of preventable injury.
Mouthguards are effective at protecting teeth and soft tissues and can help reduce jaw injuries, but current evidence does not establish them as a reliable method for preventing concussions. Some studies suggest that certain mouthguard designs may slightly reduce forces transmitted to the jaw, which could influence head acceleration in select situations, yet no mouthguard has been proven to prevent concussions consistently. Concussion prevention relies primarily on sport-specific helmets, rule enforcement, proper technique, and conditioning.
While mouthguards should not be viewed as a standalone concussion solution, they remain a critical component of overall facial protection and can lower the likelihood of dental trauma that often accompanies head impacts. Coaches, parents, and athletes should include mouthguards in a multi-layered safety plan while following best practices for head injury recognition and management. Seeking professional guidance on proper equipment for a given sport helps align protective goals with available technologies.
Athletes with braces, fixed appliances, or extensive restorations require special consideration when choosing or designing a mouthguard to avoid additional injury and to ensure adequate protection. Off-the-shelf or boil-and-bite guards may not accommodate brackets and wires safely, increasing the risk of entrapment or soft-tissue abrasion. Custom mouthguards can be designed with extra clearance, flexible channels, or protective extensions to shield orthodontic hardware while maintaining retention.
Patients with crowns, bridges, or implants also benefit from a tailored design that distributes impact forces away from vulnerable restorations. During orthodontic treatment, periodic refits or remakes are commonly needed as teeth move and treatment progresses. Consulting with a dental professional ensures the chosen solution protects both natural teeth and any dental work without interfering with ongoing treatment.
An ideal mouthguard fits snugly against the teeth and gums without excessive bulk, allows clear breathing and communication, and stays in place during activity without frequent repositioning. Retention is key; the guard should require only one hand to insert and should not dislodge easily when speaking or moving. Comfort factors include minimal gag reflex, smooth edges that do not irritate soft tissues, and balanced thickness that preserves airflow.
If a guard causes soreness, interferes with breathing, or shifts during play, a dental professional can make targeted adjustments to the margins, thickness, or occlusal surface. For boil-and-bite models, careful reheating and remolding can sometimes improve fit, but repeated reshaping reduces material performance. When comfort cannot be achieved through minor adjustments, a custom replacement provides the most reliable solution for consistent wear.
New Day Dentistry offers custom mouthguards fabricated from precise impressions or digital scans to provide durable, well-fitting protection tailored to each patient’s needs. During an initial appointment the clinician evaluates the patient’s oral anatomy, any orthodontic appliances or restorations, and the specific demands of the sport to determine design features such as thickness and reinforcement. The laboratory then constructs the appliance to the clinician’s specifications, and a follow-up visit ensures proper fit and comfort.
Patients and parents can discuss mouthguard options at any New Day Dentistry location in the Denver metro area and schedule an appointment for evaluation and fabrication. Regular follow-up allows the clinical team to monitor fit over time and recommend replacement or adjustment as needed to maintain effective protection. This clinical approach helps athletes of all ages wear a device that supports safety, performance, and long-term oral health.
