Sports-related impacts account for a significant portion of dental injuries each year, from chipped or knocked-out teeth to soft-tissue lacerations and jaw trauma. A properly fitting mouthguard acts as a simple but effective barrier that absorbs and redistributes forces, reducing the chance that a blow to the face will translate into a broken tooth or a cut inside the mouth. For athletes at every level — youth leagues, recreational players, and adults — a mouthguard is one of the most straightforward protective measures available.
Beyond preventing fractured or displaced teeth, mouthguards help protect the lips, tongue, and cheeks from being bitten during a sudden impact. They can also play a role in reducing the severity of jaw injuries by cushioning the contact between the upper and lower teeth. While no device can eliminate all risk, evidence from sports medicine and dentistry consistently shows that athletes who wear mouthguards experience fewer dental and orofacial injuries than those who do not.
Choosing the right mouthguard is about balancing protection, comfort, and fit — factors that influence whether an athlete will actually keep the device in place during play. A mouthguard that slips, impedes breathing, or causes gagging is unlikely to be worn consistently. That’s why understanding the options and how a custom-fitted device differs from off-the-shelf alternatives is essential for long-term protection and performance.
There are three common categories of mouthguards available: stock (pre-formed), boil-and-bite, and custom-made by a dental professional. Stock mouthguards arrive ready to wear and require no fitting; they are inexpensive and easy to purchase. However, they often fit poorly, are bulky, and can interfere with speech and breathing, which makes them less suitable for athletes who need reliable protection and comfort.
Boil-and-bite guards offer an intermediate option. These are formed by softening the material in hot water and then molding it around the teeth with pressure from the mouth. They provide a better fit than stock guards and are widely available at sporting goods stores. Still, because the molding process is done without professional guidance and the materials are relatively thin, boil-and-bite guards may not offer the same level of protection or durability as a well-made custom guard.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated in a dental laboratory from an impression or digital scan of an athlete’s teeth. The dentist and lab technician can tailor the thickness, coverage, and material to the individual’s anatomy and the demands of the sport. This precision results in a device that fits snugly, allows for natural breathing and speech, and provides superior shock absorption. For people with orthodontic appliances, implant restorations, or significant dental work, custom guards are often the safest and most comfortable choice.
Material selection and construction techniques also matter. Laboratory-made guards can incorporate layered materials for staged impact absorption and can be designed for long-term resilience. While custom devices typically require a higher initial investment of time and care, many athletes find the improved fit and protection make them the best value for consistent use and peace of mind.
Anyone participating in contact sports or activities with a risk of falls and blows to the face should consider using a mouthguard. Classic examples include football, hockey, lacrosse, boxing, and martial arts — but significant risk also exists in sports such as basketball, soccer, skateboarding, and cycling. For youth athletes, protective gear is especially important because developing teeth and jaws can be more vulnerable to injury.
Individuals with braces, fixed dental appliances, or recently placed restorations also need tailored protection. Brackets and wires increase the likelihood of soft-tissue cuts during impact, and standard off-the-shelf guards may not accommodate these appliances safely. A custom mouthguard can be shaped to provide additional coverage and clearance, minimizing the risk of damage to orthodontic hardware while still protecting the teeth and oral tissues.
Beyond organized sports, people who engage in recreational activities that pose a fall or collision risk — such as mountain biking, rollerblading, or snowboarding — can benefit from mouthguards. Additionally, some healthcare providers recommend mouthguards for athletes with a history of concussions, as properly designed devices may help reduce transmitted forces to the jaw. In every case, selecting the right type of guard should reflect the athlete’s age, dental status, and the level of contact inherent to their activity.
A custom mouthguard begins with an evaluation and an accurate record of the athlete’s dental anatomy. During the appointment, the dentist will examine the teeth, existing restorations, and any orthodontic appliances to determine the coverage and thickness required. Many practices now use digital scanning to capture a precise three-dimensional model of the teeth, which can improve accuracy and comfort compared with traditional impressions.
Once the impression or scan is taken, the dental laboratory fabricates the mouthguard using materials selected for durability and shock absorption. The finished device is then tried in to confirm fit, retention, and comfort. Adjustments are made chairside so the mouthguard seats securely without interfering with breathing, speaking, or the athlete’s natural bite. A properly fitted guard should stay in place with minimal conscious effort, allowing the wearer to focus on performance rather than equipment.
Fit and maintenance instructions are part of the final appointment. The clinician will demonstrate how to insert and remove the mouthguard, explain cleaning protocols, and outline signs that indicate the device needs professional adjustment or replacement. For athletes undergoing orthodontic treatment, periodic reassessment is important so the mouthguard can be modified as the teeth shift or as appliances are removed.
At the office of Fay Hu General Dentistry, this process emphasizes precision and comfort so athletes receive protection that accommodates their individual needs and activity level. Whether you’re seeking a single-arch design or a device that protects both upper and lower teeth, careful customization enhances long-term usability and protective performance.
Maintaining a mouthguard properly prolongs its life and keeps it hygienic. After each use, rinse the device in cool water and clean it with a soft toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive soap; avoid hot water, which can warp thermoplastic materials. Allow the guard to air-dry completely before storing it in a ventilated, protective case to prevent microbial growth and deformation.
Regular inspection is important. Look for signs of wear such as thinning, cracks, or roughened edges that could irritate the soft tissues. A loose fit, persistent odor, or visible damage are clear indicators that the mouthguard may no longer provide adequate protection and should be evaluated by a dental professional. Children and adolescents who are still growing will need more frequent replacement as their teeth and jaws change.
Proper storage protects the mouthguard from heat, pets, and accidental crushing. Never leave the device in direct sunlight, in a hot car, or on gym floors where it can collect dirt and bacteria. Periodic professional checkups allow your dentist to assess fit and performance and to recommend replacement intervals based on material type, amount of use, and any dental changes.
With attentive care and routine monitoring, a custom mouthguard will deliver reliable protection season after season. When damage or fit concerns arise, prompt attention helps avoid compromised protection and reduces the likelihood of preventable dental injury.
Sports mouthguards are a practical, evidence-supported tool for reducing the frequency and severity of dental and orofacial injuries in athletic activities. Understanding the differences between stock, boil-and-bite, and custom devices helps athletes choose a solution that balances protection, comfort, and fit. Special considerations — such as orthodontic appliances, prior restorations, or ongoing growth in younger athletes — make professional guidance especially valuable.
If you’d like personalized advice about the best mouthguard option for your sport, age, or dental situation, the practice can evaluate your needs and explain the fitting process in detail. Contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation with the dental team about protective options tailored to you.
Sports mouthguards are removable appliances made from resilient materials that fit over the teeth to absorb and distribute impact forces. They are designed to protect teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue and the jaw during physical activity that carries a risk of collision or contact. Patients of all ages who participate in organized sports, recreational activities or fitness classes that involve potential contact should consider wearing a mouthguard.
Wearing a mouthguard is especially important for young athletes whose jaws and permanent teeth are still developing, since oral trauma can have long-term consequences. Coaches, parents and athletic trainers commonly recommend mouthguards for contact sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse and boxing, and for many noncontact activities where falls or blows are possible. A dental professional can help determine the best type of mouthguard based on the sport, the athlete's dental work and any orthodontic appliances.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated from an impression or digital scan of a patient's teeth and then molded to provide a precise fit and consistent thickness where protection is most needed. Boil-and-bite guards soften in hot water so a user can form them around the teeth, while stock guards are preformed and offer minimal adaptation to the mouth. Because of their tailored fit, custom mouthguards typically provide better retention, comfort and protection than off-the-shelf alternatives.
A custom appliance also allows the dentist to adjust occlusion so the athlete can breathe, speak and swallow more naturally while wearing it. Materials used for custom guards are often more durable and can be layered for enhanced shock absorption, which improves longevity and performance. For athletes who wear orthodontic appliances or have complex restorative work, a custom mouthguard can be designed to accommodate those needs safely and effectively.
A mouthguard should be worn during all practices, games and drills where there is any risk of impact to the face or mouth, not only during competitive play. Many dental injuries occur during routine practices and training sessions, so consistent use reduces the overall risk of tooth fractures, soft-tissue lacerations and jaw injuries. Athletes should put the mouthguard in before participating and keep it in place until activity has ended.
For multi-sport athletes, it is important to wear a mouthguard for each activity that poses a risk, even if the perceived threat seems low. Coaches and parents should make mouthguard use part of the standard protective routine, along with helmets and other safety equipment. If a guard feels loose, cracked or causes discomfort, it should be inspected and replaced or adjusted before further use.
Fitting a mouthguard at the dental office begins with a clinical evaluation of the teeth, bite and any appliances such as braces or implants. Many practices use either a traditional impression or a digital intraoral scan to capture the exact shape of the dental arches, and the lab or in-office milling system creates a guard that matches that anatomy. The dentist checks fit, retention and occlusion at a follow-up visit and makes small adjustments to eliminate pressure points or interference with the bite.
During the fitting appointment patients are instructed on proper insertion, removal and breathing techniques to ensure comfort and compliance. The dentist will also advise on whether a single-arch design is appropriate or if a full-arch or double-arch guard is necessary for added protection. At Fay Hu General Dentistry we use precise fitting methods to optimize protection while maintaining comfort for athletic patients.
Yes. Individuals with braces, clear aligners or other dental restorations often require specially designed mouthguards that provide extra space and cushioning to prevent soft-tissue injury and damage to the appliances. Guards for orthodontic patients are typically made thicker or with a different internal shape to cover brackets and wires while maintaining adequate retention. For patients with crowns, bridges or implants, the mouthguard design may be modified to distribute forces away from vulnerable restorations.
A dental professional should evaluate the specific situation and recommend the best type of guard to protect both the teeth and any dental work. A custom mouthguard can be fabricated to fit around brackets and to minimize movement that could damage orthodontic hardware. Prompt replacement is recommended after significant dental work or if the appliance no longer fits properly due to orthodontic adjustments or growth.
Rinse the mouthguard with cool water immediately after use and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap to remove saliva and debris; avoid hot water, which can warp the material. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, and avoid toothpaste that contains strong abrasives that may degrade the surface. Periodically soak the guard in a nonalcoholic, dentist-approved antimicrobial soak if recommended by your dental team.
Store the mouthguard in a ventilated, protective case between uses to allow drying and to prevent contamination or damage. Keep the case clean and away from pets, who are often attracted to the smell of mouthguards. Inspect the guard regularly for signs of wear, tears or distortion and bring it to dental appointments so your clinician can assess fit and condition.
The lifespan of a mouthguard depends on the material, frequency of use and the athlete's growth or dental changes, so there is no single universal timeline for replacement. Recreational use may allow for longer wear than daily, high-impact activities in which the guard is exposed to repeated forces. Any visible wear, thinning, cracks or changes in fit are clear signs that the appliance should be replaced to maintain adequate protection.
Children and adolescents typically need new guards more often as their mouths develop and teeth erupt, while adults should replace a guard when it no longer fits securely. Replace a mouthguard after a significant blow to the face even if it appears undamaged, since internal compromise can reduce its protective qualities. Your dentist can recommend inspection intervals and replacement timing based on the guard type and the patient's activity level.
Mouthguards are effective at reducing dental and soft-tissue injuries and can help absorb some forces that would otherwise be transmitted to the jaw. Research on concussion prevention is mixed; while some studies suggest that well-fitted mouthguards may reduce the severity of certain impacts, they are not a guaranteed method to prevent concussions. A mouthguard should be viewed as one component of a broader protective strategy that includes helmets, proper technique and rule adherence.
By stabilizing the jaw and minimizing direct tooth-to-tooth contact, a mouthguard can lower the risk of jaw fractures and dental displacement. Athletes and coaches should not rely solely on a mouthguard to prevent head injuries but should use it in conjunction with sport-specific protective equipment and safe playing practices. Discuss any concerns about concussion risk with your dentist and your team medical staff so you can develop a comprehensive safety plan.
Mouthguards are made from a range of materials, including single-layer, laminated and multi-layer thermoplastics such as EVA, each offering different balances of comfort, durability and shock absorption. Design features may include variable thickness in key impact zones, integrated breathing channels, and occlusal shaping to preserve normal jaw position and function. Color and aesthetic options are available, but the primary selection criteria should be retention, protective properties and compatibility with any dental appliances.
A dentist can explain the trade-offs between a thinner, more comfortable guard and a thicker, more protective design based on the athlete's age, sport and oral condition. For high-impact athletes, multi-layer or laminated guards often perform better at energy dissipation, while less aggressive activities may allow for simpler constructions. Ultimately, the ideal mouthguard balances protection with a fit the patient will consistently wear.
To obtain a custom mouthguard, schedule a consultation with our team so the dentist can evaluate your teeth, bite and any appliances that affect fit. During your visit we will take an impression or a digital intraoral scan and discuss material and design options that match your sport and protective needs. A custom guard is then fabricated and fitted in a follow-up visit where minor adjustments are made for comfort and retention.
To arrange an appointment call New Patients: (407) 349-4835 or Existing Patients: (407) 647-3223 and ask about a sports mouthguard fitting, or visit us at 800 West Morse Blvd, Suite 3B, Winter Park, FL 32789. Our staff can advise on timing so the guard will be ready before your next season or training cycle, and we will document fit and care instructions to help you maintain protection over time. Fay Hu General Dentistry welcomes athletes of all ages and will work with you to create a guard that supports both safety and function.
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