Sports at all levels carry some risk of dental and facial injury, from chipped teeth to more serious jaw or soft-tissue trauma. Mouthguards are one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce those risks. By serving as a shock absorber and a protective barrier, a properly fitted mouthguard helps disperse impact forces, lowering the chance of fractures, tooth avulsion, and cuts to the lips and cheeks.
Protection matters not only for high-contact sports like football, hockey, or rugby, but also for many recreational activities—basketball, skateboarding, and even cycling can result in collisions or falls that affect the mouth. Youth athletes are particularly vulnerable because their developing teeth and jaws may be more prone to injury; a single event can have long-term consequences for oral health and development.
Beyond preventing acute injuries, mouthguards can reduce the likelihood of secondary problems such as root damage or infections that stem from dental trauma. For patients who rely on their teeth for work or daily life, avoiding preventable damage is an important part of maintaining overall health and confidence on and off the field.
There are three common categories of mouthguards available: stock (ready-to-wear), boil-and-bite, and custom-made. Stock guards are pre-formed and fit the wearer poorly in many cases, while boil-and-bite options soften in hot water and can be shaped around the teeth for a somewhat better fit. Both types offer some protection but often sacrifice comfort, retention, and breathability.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated from impressions of the patient’s teeth and provide the best combination of protection, comfort, and fit. Because they are tailored to the individual’s bite and oral anatomy, they stay in place more securely and allow for easier breathing and speaking. This improved fit typically encourages consistent use, which is essential for effective injury prevention.
When weighing choices, patients should consider activity level, frequency of play, and any unique dental needs—such as crowns, implants, or orthodontic appliances—that can influence suitability. A well-informed selection balances protection, comfort, and the athlete’s practical needs during competition or practice.
The process of creating a custom mouthguard begins with an accurate impression or a digital scan of the teeth. That impression establishes a precise model that technicians use to form a mouthguard that accommodates the patient’s bite, tooth positions, and any restorative work. Because the appliance is crafted to match the mouth precisely, it distributes impact forces more evenly and minimizes movement during play.
Materials for custom guards typically combine durable, impact-resistant plastics with layers designed to absorb shock. This layered approach helps reduce concussive forces transmitted to the jaw and skull while also protecting the teeth. Because custom guards can be fine-tuned for thickness and coverage, they provide targeted protection where an athlete needs it most without interfering with performance.
Patients often find custom guards more comfortable and less intrusive than off-the-shelf alternatives. That comfort factor is important: athletes are far more likely to wear protection consistently when it doesn’t hinder breathing, speech, or their range of motion. For those who need reliable, long-term protection, custom fabrication is the gold standard.
Athletes with braces, bridges, or implants have special protection needs. For example, braces can increase the risk of lacerations to the lips and soft tissues, so a mouthguard that offers extra coverage and cushioning is often recommended. Conversely, patients with extensive restorations may require a design that prevents unnecessary pressure on sensitive areas while still maintaining adequate shock absorption.
Young athletes present additional considerations because their mouths are changing as permanent teeth erupt and jaws grow. Pediatric patients often need periodic refitting or replacement of their mouthguards to ensure a proper fit as development progresses. Regular dental checkups make it easier to monitor fit and function so that protection keeps pace with growth.
When working with patients who have unique dental profiles—whether due to orthodontic appliances or restorative work—dental professionals can recommend designs and materials that balance protection with comfort. A tailored approach reduces the chance of secondary injuries and supports ongoing oral health while athletes remain active.
Proper fit is the cornerstone of an effective mouthguard. It should feel snug, stay in place with minimal effort, and allow for comfortable breathing and speaking. If a guard shifts easily or causes persistent discomfort, its protective value is compromised. For custom devices, the dental team will verify fit and make any necessary adjustments before the athlete leaves the office.
Caring for a mouthguard extends its useful life and maintains hygiene: rinse it after use, clean it regularly with a soft brush and mild soap or a manufacturer-recommended cleanser, and store it in a ventilated container. Avoid leaving guards in direct sunlight or hot environments, which can warp the material and reduce effectiveness.
Replacement is recommended when a guard no longer fits well, shows visible wear, or after significant dental changes, such as new crowns, extractions, or orthodontic movement. Routine examination by a dental professional can identify when a change is needed so patients aren’t unknowingly relying on compromised protection.
Selecting a qualified dental provider to evaluate and fit a mouthguard makes a meaningful difference in protection and comfort. A dental team can assess the athlete’s oral condition, recommend the most appropriate type of guard, and ensure the fit is optimized for performance and safety. For families and athletes who want a long-term, dependable solution, a professional consultation is the best first step.
At Crowns Now Family Dentistry, our clinicians work with patients across ages and activity levels to design protective appliances that suit both the sport and the individual’s oral health needs. We focus on combining clinical insight with practical fit considerations, so patients receive a mouthguard that supports safe, confident participation.
Whether you’re protecting a youth athlete just starting in organized sports or an adult with a high activity level, the right mouthguard reduces risk and helps preserve oral health over time. Scheduling an evaluation allows the dental team to recommend a solution that balances protection, comfort, and ongoing care.
In summary, sports mouthguards are an essential component of athletic safety—offering protection that can prevent painful, costly, and sometimes lifelong dental injuries. For personalized guidance, fitting, and follow-up care, please contact us to learn more about mouthguard options and how we can help protect your smile.
A sports mouthguard is a removable oral appliance designed to protect the teeth, gums, lips and soft tissues from impact during athletic activity. It is typically made from durable thermoplastic or similar materials that absorb and distribute force from blows to the face and jaw. Most mouthguards fit over the upper teeth, although designs that cover both arches are available for specific needs.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated from an impression of the teeth to provide a precise fit and optimal protection. Over-the-counter options such as stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards offer varying levels of protection and fit but generally do not match the comfort or retention of a custom device. Your dental team can explain which type best suits your sport and dental condition.
Mouthguards significantly reduce the risk of dental and oral injuries that can result from collisions, falls or being struck by equipment such as balls, bats or sticks. They help prevent chipped or knocked-out teeth, cuts to the lips and cheeks, and injuries to the tongue and soft tissues. By cushioning the impact, mouthguards also help protect the jaw from fractures and reduce the likelihood of dental restorations being damaged during play.
Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard promotes confidence and allows athletes to focus on performance rather than the fear of injury. For athletes with braces, implants or other dental work, a specialized mouthguard can provide additional coverage to prevent appliance-related injuries. Coaches, parents and clinicians commonly recommend mouthguard use in contact and collision sports for athletes of all ages.
There are three primary categories of mouthguards: stock or ready-to-wear, boil-and-bite, and custom-made devices fabricated by a dentist. Stock mouthguards are preformed and require no fitting, but they often fit poorly and can hinder breathing and speech. Boil-and-bite mouthguards soften in hot water and are shaped around the teeth by the wearer for a better fit than stock options.
Custom mouthguards are made from an impression of the patient’s teeth and are shaped in a dental laboratory to ensure an accurate fit and optimal protection. These custom devices typically provide superior comfort, retention and performance compared with off-the-shelf alternatives. Your dentist can review the pros and cons of each type and recommend the best choice based on your sport, dental anatomy and any appliances you wear.
The process begins with a clinical exam and an impression or digital scan of the teeth to capture the exact shape of the dental arches. The impression or scan is sent to a dental laboratory where technicians fabricate the mouthguard using layered thermoplastic materials to achieve the desired thickness, flexibility and shock absorption. Laboratories trim and polish the device to create a smooth, comfortable edge and ensure proper occlusion.
At the delivery appointment the dentist checks fit, retention and comfort, making minor adjustments as needed for optimal performance. The patient is instructed on how to insert and remove the mouthguard properly and on care and storage recommendations. Follow-up visits may be scheduled to re-evaluate fit, especially for growing athletes or if dental work changes the mouth’s anatomy.
Athletes who wear braces, fixed dental appliances or extensive restorations should consider specialized mouthguards that offer extra coverage and protection. Braces create additional injury risk from wire and bracket contact, so a mouthguard designed to accommodate orthodontic hardware can reduce soft-tissue trauma and protect appliances. Similarly, patients with implants, bridges or crowns may need a mouthguard that preserves the position and integrity of these restorations during contact sports.
Young athletes, individuals with a history of dental trauma, and those who participate in high-contact or high-speed sports are also strong candidates for customized protection. Your dentist or hygienist can assess your oral health, identify risk factors and recommend a mouthguard design tailored to your needs. Specialized devices can also be adapted for athletes with sleep or jaw conditions where stability and comfort are priorities.
Rinse your mouthguard with cool water immediately after use to remove saliva and debris, then gently brush it with a soft toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste or mild soap. Avoid hot water or harsh chemicals that can distort the material or degrade its protective properties. After cleaning, allow the mouthguard to air dry before storing it in a ventilated case to reduce bacterial growth.
Regularly inspect the mouthguard for signs of wear, holes or changes in fit and replace it if you observe damage or if it becomes loose. Keep the storage case clean by washing it with soap and water and allowing it to dry completely. Maintaining good oral hygiene and cleaning your mouthguard helps minimize odors and extends the device’s useful life while protecting oral health.
Mouthguards should be replaced whenever they show visible signs of wear, holes, thinning or a change in fit that affects retention and comfort. For children and adolescents, replacement is necessary more frequently as their dental arches and bite change with growth; adults should also replace a mouthguard if dental work or tooth movement alters how the device seats. If a mouthguard becomes misshapen due to heat exposure or damage, it should no longer be used.
Regular dental checkups provide an opportunity for your dentist to evaluate mouthguard condition and recommend replacement when appropriate. After a significant facial impact, have the device inspected even if it appears intact, since internal damage may compromise protection. Keeping a timeline of use and checking the mouthguard periodically helps ensure reliable performance on the field.
Mouthguards primarily protect the teeth and soft tissues, and they are effective at reducing dental and facial injuries from direct impact. Some studies have explored whether mouthguards can reduce the risk or severity of concussions by absorbing shock or stabilizing the jaw, but the evidence remains mixed and inconclusive. Because concussion mechanisms are complex and often involve rapid acceleration of the brain, no mouthguard can guarantee concussion prevention.
That said, a well-fitting mouthguard contributes to overall head and facial protection and may lessen certain forces transmitted through the jaw during trauma. Mouthguards should be used as part of a broader concussion-prevention strategy that includes appropriate sport-specific protective equipment, rule adherence and concussion-awareness training. Discuss any concussion concerns with your athletic trainer and dental or medical provider for sport-specific guidance.
Custom mouthguards are generally more comfortable because they are fabricated from an exact impression or digital scan of the teeth, which ensures accurate fit, minimal bulk and stable retention. The tailored fit reduces the need for constant biting or repositioning and improves breathing and speech during activity. Custom devices are also easier to wear for extended periods, which increases the likelihood that athletes will keep protection in place throughout practice and competition.
By contrast, stock mouthguards and many boil-and-bite models can feel bulky, shift during use, or interfere with performance, which may discourage consistent wear. For athletes who prioritize comfort, fit and maximum protection, a custom device made by a dentist is typically the preferred option. Your dental team can review material choices and design features to balance protection with comfort for your specific sport.
To obtain a custom mouthguard at Crowns Now Family Dentistry, schedule an appointment for an evaluation so the dental team can assess your bite, any dental appliances and your sport-specific needs. During the appointment the clinician will take an impression or digital scan of your teeth, discuss material and design options, and explain how the device will be fabricated and adjusted for fit. The laboratory-created mouthguard will be fitted at a follow-up visit and refined as needed to ensure comfort and retention.
If you have questions about whether a custom mouthguard is appropriate for your activity or need guidance on protecting youth athletes, the staff at Crowns Now Family Dentistry can provide clinical recommendations and fit assessments. Call your local Crowns Now office listed on the website to schedule an appointment or to learn which location is most convenient for evaluation and fabrication. Regular follow-up ensures the mouthguard continues to fit well and perform as intended.
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