Are mouth guards required in high school football?
Yes. NFHS, the National Federation of State High School Associations, says that tooth and mouth protectors “are required in high school football.” The rule sits in Rule 1-5-1d(5) of the NFHS football rule book. Your player’s school or state association may add details of its own, so ask your coach or athletic director for the current wording. This is as of October 2026.
What changed in 2026?
NFHS added two limits. Its story says that “effective in 2026, tooth and mouth protectors a) shall not include any attachment(s) that do not serve a purpose and function in protecting the teeth or mouth, and b) shall not include anything that is a health or risk issue and could pose danger to themselves or other players.”
Here is the change in plain words:
| Question | Plain answer |
|---|---|
| Is a mouth protector required? | Yes, in high school football |
| Can it carry an attachment that does not protect teeth or mouth? | No, from the 2026 season |
| Can it include anything that could hurt the player or others? | No |
| Who has the final word? | The current rule book, through your school and state association |
What does this mean for my player’s mouth guard?
Look at the guard you already own. If it has a strap, tether, added tag or decoration, ask whether it has a protective purpose. We cannot judge a specific product from a web page. Ask your coach first, then ask the maker or your dentist.
ADA MouthHealthy says mouth guards “help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw.” A mouth guard can help protect soft tissue too. It does not make an injury impossible, so teach your player to follow all of the game’s safety rules.
What types of mouth guard can a player choose?
ADA MouthHealthy describes three types. The guard a player wears every practice is the one that does its job.
- Custom-made: a dentist makes it for one person.
- Boil and bite: softened in hot water, then shaped to the teeth at home.
- Stock: ready to wear, with little fit adjustment.
ADA MouthHealthy ranks the dentist-made custom guard first. It adds that if cost is a problem, a stock or boil-and-bite guard from a drugstore is still worth wearing. See our post on boil-and-bite mouth guards and our sports mouthguards guide for more.
The sports guard is the term dentists use for a guard made for athletes. Our dentists describe custom-fit mouth guards on the sports guard page. We do not set prices here. The office gives each patient its own estimate.
What should we bring to a mouth guard visit?
Bring the old guard, the rule wording from your coach, and a list of questions. Tell the dentist which position your player plays and whether he or she wears braces or other dental work. Ask how often to check the fit as the player grows. Ask what to do if the guard cracks mid-season, and whether a spare is worth keeping in the gear bag. If your coach asks to see the guard before practice starts, book the visit early.
Many parents also ask about cleaning and storage. Ask your dentist for the steps that fit your player’s guard type, and follow the maker’s directions.
What if a player’s tooth is knocked out in a game?
Act fast. ADA MouthHealthy says: “If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root.” Then get to a dentist right away. Read our post on the first 30 minutes after a knocked-out tooth and the glossary entry for an avulsed tooth.
Remember that our office is closed Friday to Sunday, and many football games are played on Friday nights. If the injury is severe, or your player has trouble breathing, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Next step
See the sports guard page for our dentists’ own words about custom mouth guards. To book a fitting before next season, call (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Are mouth guards required in high school football?
Yes. NFHS says tooth and mouth protectors are required in high school football under Rule 1-5-1d(5). Your school or state association may add its own details, so ask your coach or athletic director for the current rule book.
What changed for the 2026 season?
NFHS says tooth and mouth protectors may not include any attachment that does not serve a purpose and function in protecting the teeth or mouth. They also may not include anything that is a health or risk issue and could endanger the player or others.
Can my player keep a strap or tether on the mouth guard?
We cannot say for one product. The NFHS wording limits attachments that do not protect the teeth or mouth. Check the current rule book with your coach, and ask the maker or your dentist whether a specific guard fits that wording.
What kinds of mouth guards are there?
ADA MouthHealthy lists custom-made guards from a dentist, boil-and-bite guards and stock guards. It ranks the custom guard first, and says that if cost is a problem a stock or boil-and-bite guard is still worth wearing. Your dentist can talk with you about options.
How often should a football mouth guard be checked?
Check it each season for wear, cracks and fit, since teeth and jaws change as kids grow. Your dentist can look at the guard during a regular checkup and tell you if it still fits.
Terms on this page
Sources
- NFHS: Prohibition on Slapping the Head Now Applies to All Players in High School Football
- NFHS: Prohibition on Slapping the Head Now Applies to All Players in High School Football
- ADA MouthHealthy: Mouthguards
- ADA MouthHealthy: Dental Emergencies
Written by Town Center Dental and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Dental guidance changes, so check the linked page, and ask your dentist about your own care.