How to Choose a Mouthguard

A useful sports mouthguard fits securely, allows the athlete to breathe and communicate, and is comfortable enough to wear for every practice and game. Protection that stays in a gym bag has no benefit.

Stock, boil-and-bite and custom-made guards can all provide a barrier, but they differ in fit and adaptation. Sport risk, age, braces, growth, previous injuries and budget should guide the choice.

What does a sports mouthguard protect?

A mouthguard cushions and distributes forces that reach the teeth, lips, cheeks and jaws. It can reduce the risk or severity of chipped, broken, displaced and knocked-out teeth and may reduce soft-tissue injuries.

It cannot prevent every injury. A strong impact can still damage teeth, bone or the jaw. Evidence should not be stretched into a guarantee that a mouthguard prevents concussion. Athletes still need helmets, face protection, rule enforcement and appropriate medical concussion protocols.

After any significant impact, remove the athlete from play as required and assess head, neck and facial symptoms. Dental protection does not replace medical evaluation.

Which activities call for a mouthguard?

Many leagues require guards for hockey, football, lacrosse, boxing, rugby and martial arts. Risk also occurs in basketball, soccer, baseball, field hockey, gymnastics, skateboarding, cycling and other activities involving falls, elbows, balls or equipment.

Do not use the rulebook as the only measure. A recreational athlete with previous dental trauma, prominent front teeth, braces or a high-risk playing position may benefit even when a guard is optional.

Ask the coach about regulations and the dentist about individual oral risk. The guard must also work with any helmet or face cage without interfering.

What are stock mouthguards?

Stock guards are pre-formed and available in limited sizes. They are inexpensive and immediately available, but often bulky. Because the fit is not individualized, athletes may need to clench to keep them in place, which can interfere with speech and breathing.

They may be better than no protection in some circumstances, but a guard that drops out when the mouth opens or triggers gagging is unlikely to be worn consistently. Trimming a stock product can create thin or sharp areas, so follow manufacturer instructions.

Check that it covers the teeth without extending so far that it irritates the gum or frenum.

How do boil-and-bite guards differ?

Boil-and-bite mouthguards use thermoplastic material softened in hot water and shaped around the teeth. They can fit better than stock guards when prepared correctly and are widely available.

Follow temperature and timing instructions exactly. Overheating can thin or distort the material; biting too hard can reduce protective thickness. A child should not handle hot water unsupervised.

Remould only if the manufacturer permits it. If the guard is loose, very thin over front teeth, folded or uncomfortable, replace it rather than assuming the adaptation is adequate.

What is a custom-made mouthguard?

A custom guard is fabricated from an impression or digital scan of the athlete’s teeth. The dentist and laboratory can control extension, thickness, bite and adaptation more precisely.

Custom guards generally stay in place more securely and can improve comfort and speech. They cost more and require appointments, so they should be ordered before the season or tournament.

Different sports and levels of contact may call for different thickness or layering. Tell the dentist about the sport, position, helmet, braces and injury history rather than requesting a generic appliance.

How should the guard fit?

A properly fitted upper guard should remain over the teeth without constant clenching. It should cover vulnerable teeth and fit around the gum without sharp pressure. The athlete should be able to breathe, speak briefly and swallow.

Some athletes use lower guards based on sport rules, braces or dental anatomy. Follow professional and league guidance.

New discomfort, gum blanching, tooth pressure, jaw pain or a change in bite means the fit should be checked. Do not keep wearing an appliance that appears to move teeth.

What about braces?

Orthodontic appliances increase the need to protect lips and cheeks, while moving teeth require space inside the guard. A standard tight-fitting product can become unsuitable as treatment progresses.

Use a mouthguard designed for braces and coordinate with the dentist or orthodontist. It may require more frequent replacement. Do not trim around brackets in a way that creates exposed sharp edges.

After an impact, inspect brackets and wires as well as teeth. Contact the orthodontic and dental teams when something breaks or a tooth becomes painful or mobile.

How often should a child replace a mouthguard?

Children’s teeth erupt and jaws grow, so fit can change during one season. Check the guard before the season, periodically during use and after dental treatment. Replace it if it is too tight or loose, no longer covers erupting teeth or shows significant wear.

Adults also need replacement when the guard tears, thins, develops rough edges, smells despite cleaning or no longer fits after dental work. Athletes who chew their guards may need more frequent replacement and coaching to keep it seated without gnawing.

A custom guard should be brought to dental checkups for inspection.

How do I clean and store it?

Rinse after each use and clean with cool water, a soft brush and a product recommended by the manufacturer or dentist. Toothpaste can be abrasive for some materials. Never use boiling water unless it is the controlled fitting step for a boil-and-bite product.

Allow the guard to dry and store it in a rigid ventilated container away from pets and heat. Clean the case as well. Do not share mouthguards.

Inspect under good light for tears, thinning, rough edges and buildup. A damaged appliance can fit poorly or offer less protection.

What should athletes keep in an emergency kit?

Store the dentist’s phone number, clean gauze, a cold pack and a small clean container. Coaches and caregivers should know that a knocked-out permanent tooth is held by the crown, gently repositioned if safe or kept moist in cold milk, and taken immediately to a dentist. A baby tooth is not replanted.

Our guide on what to do if a permanent tooth is knocked out provides the full sequence. Call 911 for loss of consciousness, major head or facial injury, breathing difficulty or uncontrolled bleeding.

Is a night guard the same thing?

No. A sports mouthguard is designed to absorb impacts during activity. A night guard is designed around clenching, grinding, wear, bite and jaw findings. Materials and design differ.

Do not wear a sports guard overnight as a self-prescribed treatment for jaw pain. Poorly fitted appliances can alter contact or worsen symptoms. Regal Heights assesses jaw concerns through its separate jaw-rehabilitation pathway when appropriate.

How should cost affect the decision?

The best guard is the safest option the athlete will wear consistently and replace when needed. A custom guard may offer superior fit, while a well-made boil-and-bite product can be a practical solution for a rapidly growing child or limited budget.

Compare the total situation: sport intensity, frequency, risk, braces, previous trauma and likelihood of compliance. Coverage varies, so ask for fees before fabrication. Do not delay a season waiting for coverage without using an appropriate interim option.

Choose fit and consistent use over appearance

A mouthguard should stay in place, allow breathing and protect vulnerable tissues without causing pressure. Reassess it as a child grows or dental treatment changes the mouth.

For a mouthguard fit and risk assessment, review Regal Heights Dental Centre’s family dentistry service or contact our team before the sports season begins.