Why Athletes Need a Mouth Guard
A mouth guard for sports is one of the simplest ways to prevent dental injuries during physical activity. Dental injuries are among the most common types of facial injuries in sports, and they can be expensive and time-consuming to repair.
A knocked-out permanent tooth can cost thousands of dollars to replace with an implant or bridge, and the treatment may span months. A chipped or fractured tooth often requires a crown. These injuries are largely preventable with a properly fitted mouth guard that costs a fraction of the repair.
Mouth guards work by creating a cushion between the upper teeth and any impact. They distribute force across a wider area, protecting individual teeth, the jawbone, and the soft tissues of the lips, cheeks, and tongue.
Types of Sports Mouth Guards
Not all mouth guards provide the same level of protection. The three main types differ in fit, comfort, and how well they absorb impact.
Stock Mouth Guards
Stock mouth guards are pre-formed and ready to wear straight from the package. They come in small, medium, and large sizes but cannot be adjusted to fit your teeth. Because of the loose fit, they are bulky, can interfere with breathing and speaking, and offer the least protection of the three types.
Stock guards are available at most sporting goods stores for $5 to $15. Dentists and the ADA generally do not recommend stock mouth guards because the poor fit means they may shift during impact, reducing their protective benefit.
Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards
Boil-and-bite mouth guards are made from thermoplastic material that softens in hot water. After heating, you bite into the softened material to create a semi-custom impression of your teeth. This produces a better fit than a stock guard and provides reasonable protection for most recreational athletes.
These guards cost $10 to $50 and are widely available at pharmacies and sporting goods stores. The fit is not as precise as a custom guard, and the material is typically thinner, which means less shock absorption. For young athletes in moderate-contact sports, a boil-and-bite guard is a good option when a custom guard is not accessible.
Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards
Custom mouth guards are made by a dentist or pediatric dentist using a mold of the athlete's teeth. The dentist takes an impression, and the guard is fabricated from high-quality material in a dental lab. The result is a precise fit that stays securely in place, allows normal breathing and speaking, and provides the highest level of impact protection.
Custom guards cost $200 to $500 depending on the provider and material. While the upfront cost is higher, the superior fit means athletes are more likely to wear them consistently, and the protection is significantly better than store-bought alternatives. For athletes in high-contact sports like football, hockey, lacrosse, and martial arts, a custom guard is the recommended choice. Costs vary by location and provider.
Which Sports Require a Mouth Guard
The ADA recommends mouth guards for any sport or activity with a risk of contact to the face, including both team and individual activities. Some organized leagues and school athletic programs require them.
High-Contact Sports
These sports carry the greatest risk of dental injury, and mouth guards are strongly recommended or required by most leagues.
- Football (required at high school and college levels)
- Hockey (ice and field)
- Lacrosse
- Boxing and martial arts
- Rugby
- Wrestling
Moderate-Contact and Recreational Sports
Dental injuries also occur regularly in sports where contact is possible but not the primary focus. A mouth guard is recommended for these activities as well.
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Baseball and softball
- Skateboarding and BMX
- Gymnastics
- Volleyball
- Mountain biking
- Skiing and snowboarding
Fitting, Care, and Replacement
A mouth guard only works if it fits properly and is maintained. A guard that is too loose can shift on impact and fail to protect. One that is too tight can be uncomfortable, making the athlete less likely to wear it.
What a Proper Fit Looks Like
A well-fitted mouth guard covers all the upper teeth and extends slightly past the last molar. It should stay in place without clenching, allow the athlete to breathe and speak clearly, and feel comfortable enough to wear for the full duration of play. The guard should not press painfully against the gums or shift when the jaw moves.
Caring for a Mouth Guard
Rinse the mouth guard with cool water or an antimicrobial mouth rinse before and after each use. Clean it with a toothbrush and toothpaste or mild soap after each wearing. Store it in a ventilated case to allow air circulation and prevent bacterial growth. Keep it away from heat, direct sunlight, and hot water (except during the initial boil-and-bite molding), as heat can warp the material and change the fit.
When to Replace a Mouth Guard
Replace a mouth guard at the start of each new sports season at minimum. Children and teenagers should be checked more frequently because their mouths are still growing and teeth are shifting. Replace the guard immediately if it shows signs of holes, tearing, thinning, or if it no longer fits snugly. A worn or ill-fitting guard provides significantly less protection.
Mouth Guards with Braces and Special Needs
Athletes who wear braces face a higher risk of oral injury during sports. Brackets and wires can cut the inside of the lips and cheeks on impact, and a blow to the face can damage the orthodontic appliance as well as the teeth.
A mouth guard designed for braces fits over the brackets without pressing against them. It has extra space to accommodate the hardware and is typically made from a flexible material that adjusts as teeth move during treatment. Custom guards made by a dentist are the best option for braces wearers because they can be remade as the teeth shift. Boil-and-bite guards marketed for braces are available but offer a less precise fit.
Athletes with dental bridges, implants, or other restorations should also use a mouth guard to protect their investment. A pediatric dentist or the treating specialist can recommend the right type for each situation.
Mouth Guard Cost and Insurance
The cost of a mouth guard varies widely depending on the type. Stock guards are the least expensive at $5 to $15. Boil-and-bite guards range from $10 to $50. Custom-fitted guards from a dentist typically cost $200 to $500.
Some dental insurance plans cover part of the cost of a custom mouth guard, especially for children. Check with your plan for specific coverage details. Many families find the investment worthwhile when compared to the cost of treating a dental injury, which can range from $500 for a simple repair to $5,000 or more for an implant to replace a knocked-out tooth. Costs vary by location and provider.
When to See a Pediatric Dentist About a Mouth Guard
A general dentist can make a custom mouth guard for most patients. A pediatric dentist is the specialist trained to work with children and adolescents and understands the unique needs of growing mouths. Consider seeing a pediatric dentist for a mouth guard when your child is in any of these situations.
- Your child is in a high-contact sport and needs maximum protection
- Your child wears braces or other orthodontic appliances
- Your child has a history of dental trauma
- Primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth are both present (mixed dentition), which affects fit
- Your child has difficulty tolerating or wearing store-bought guards
- Your child has special healthcare needs that affect oral anatomy or cooperation
Find a Pediatric Dentist Near You
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