Sports Guard

A sports guard cushions a blow to the face and helps protect teeth, lips, tongue and jaw. Dentists recommend one for contact sports and for activities with a fall risk. A guard your dentist makes for you usually fits and feels better than a store-bought one. Replace it when it wears out, and bring it to checkups.

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More than contact sports

The American Dental Association notes that gymnastics and skating can also cause dental injuries.

Covers the upper teeth

Most guards cover the upper teeth, which take the brunt of trauma. Braces on lower teeth may call for a lower guard.

Kids outgrow them

Teens and children may need a new guard more often because their mouths are still growing.

Keep it clean and dry

Rinse after use, store in a vented case, and replace it if it is worn or damaged.

Wearing a well-fitted mouthguard in contact sports can prevent dental and orofacial injuries. A sports mouthguard reduces the shock of impact on your teeth and jaw joints and reduces the risk of lacerations or tears on the soft tissues of your face and mouth. In a sport like boxing, over the course of their career boxers are exposed to repeated trauma to the face. Without a mouthguard the boxer is at risk for injuries like a broken jaw, lacerated tongue, and loss of teeth, to name a few. Dental injuries can impact an athlete’s quality of life and impact their ability to compete or perform at their best.

The American Dental Association recommends the use of a custom-fitted quality mouthguard if you play any sport with a significant risk factor of dental or facial injury. If you are an athlete, athletic advisor, or parent to an athlete involved in close-contact sports, it is important that you support and push forward the necessity of this protective gear. Visit us at Town Center Dental if you want to learn more about our high-quality custom-fitted mouthguards.

Do I really need a mouthguard?

Over five million teeth are lost in the United States each year. Those aged 11 to 20 account for the highest percentage of sports-related dental and facial injuries, between 41.7% to 44.4%, depending on year. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has mandated mouthguards for ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, football, and wrestling (for wrestlers wearing braces). Mouthguards are not mandated on a national level; however, sports organizations and teams can come up with their own mandates for the use of mouthguards.

Many players in close-contact sports are under the impression that the use of mouthguards is based on concussion prevention. Common misconceptions that you will often hear biting down on a mouthguard takes the pressure off the jaw and reduces shock to the brain, or, if you are less likely to have a concussion in the sport you play then there is no need for a mouthguard. There is no credible research or evidence that any currently available protective equipment will prevent concussions. Headgear and other protective equipment will only reduce the risk of sustaining these injuries. Mouthguards serve the role of preventing orofacial and dental-related injuries, but not in concussion prevention.

A more modern mouthguard

Our team has come across many athletes with mixed feelings on using a mouthguard; they have one but simply forget to wear it, they degrade over time, they impair speech, or make it difficult to breathe. Dental fabrication technology has evolved significantly past the boil-and-bite mouthguard models that carry this bad reputation. Better models, such as the custom-fit mouthguards, like we provide, have emerged since then that can provide a more comfortable, compact fit and superior protection.

Visit us at Town Center Dental if you have any concerns about a treatment plan for you or your child. Call 636-273-5866 for more information.

Special situations and what to ask your dentist

Situation	What to know
Child or teen who is growing	The guard may need replacing more often. Ask for a fit check at each visit.
Braces	A properly fitted guard matters more, and a lower guard may be needed.
Retainer or removable appliance	Do not wear it during contact sports.
Fixed bridge work	A properly fitted guard can protect it from a blow to the face.
Guard feels bulky or hard to talk in	Ask your dentist to check the fit. Custom guards tend to be more comfortable.

When should my child wear a sports guard?

Wear one whenever the activity carries a risk of a blow to the face or a fall. The American Dental Association says a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of standard equipment from an early age. Collision and contact sports carry higher risk, and any athlete can get a dental injury in non-contact activities such as gymnastics and skating.

Cleveland Clinic lists football, basketball, hockey, soccer and boxing as contact sports where a guard is recommended, and adds activities with a high fall risk, such as biking and ice skating.

A guard should be part of the routine at practices and games, not only on game day. Ask your child's coach or league about its rules. Rules vary by sport and league, so check yours. Our blog post on the NFHS rule for high school football covers one example. To learn how the types compare, see the custom mouth guard page and the sports mouthguards guide.

What is the difference between custom, boil-and-bite and stock guards?

Fit and comfort set them apart. The American Dental Association describes custom-made guards as made by your dentist for you personally. They cost more because they are made for fit and comfort. Boil-and-bite guards are softened in hot water and shaped in your mouth at home. Stock guards come pre-formed, often fit poorly, and can make breathing and talking difficult.

A good fit matters for protection and for wearing it. A guard that is uncomfortable tends to stay in the bag. Cleveland Clinic says store-bought guards are not as effective as custom-made guards against sports injuries.

Cost can be a barrier. The ADA says that if a custom guard is out of reach, you should still wear a stock or boil-and-bite guard. Ask the office about your options. Town Center Dental gives each patient a personal estimate. The insurance and financing page explains what to bring. For more, read the glossary entry on sports guard.

How do I care for a sports guard?

Keep it clean and dry between games. Rinse it before and after each use, or brush it with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Wash it regularly in cool, soapy water, then rinse well. Store it in a sturdy, vented container so it can dry. Never leave it in the sun or in hot water. Keep it away from pets that like to chew.

Check the fit and look for wear. Replace it right away if it is worn, damaged or ill fitting. Ask your dentist when to replace it.

Bring the guard to your regular dental checkups. The dentist can check the fit and give it a thorough cleaning. If your child has braces or a retainer, tell the dentist so the guard matches. A dental exam is a good time to ask. If a tooth is knocked out or chipped, call the office right away or see our post on what to do in the first 30 minutes.

Questions about sports guard

Read the guideSports Mouth Guards: Custom, Boil-and-Bite or Stock?

What kind of mouth guard should my young athlete use?

A guard made by your dentist usually fits and feels better. The American Dental Association says to wear a stock or boil-and-bite guard if a custom guard is out of reach. Children's guards may need replacing more often, so ask for a fit check at each visit.

Are mouth guards required in high school football?

Rules differ by sport, state and league, so check with your school or coach. The American Dental Association notes that many sports will not let you play without one. Our blog post on the NFHS rule gives details for football.

How often should a sports guard be replaced?

Replace it right away if it shows wear, is damaged or fits poorly. Teens and children may need a new one more often because their mouths are growing. Ask your dentist at checkups when to replace it.

Can I use a sports guard with braces?

Yes, and fit matters more. The American Dental Association says a properly fitted guard can protect brackets and cushion your cheeks and lips. Your dentist may suggest a lower guard if you have braces there. Talk to your dentist about the right type.

Should I wear my retainer during contact sports?

No. The American Dental Association says not to wear a retainer or other removable appliance during contact sports. Take it out before you play, put it in its case, and wear your sports guard instead.

Where do I keep a mouth guard between games?

Keep it in a sturdy case with vents so it can dry, away from sun, hot water and pets. Rinse it before and after use. Bring it to checkups so your dentist can check the fit and wear.

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