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With the World Cup bringing the world's best athletes into the spotlight, it's a great reminder that protecting your body is just as important as training it. While soccer players don't wear helmets, many wear mouthguards.
Whether you're gearing up for soccer, football season, basketball, or hockey, one question comes up often: Do I really need a sports mouthguard?
Here's what you need to know…
A sports mouthguard cushions your teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, and jaw during impact. It absorbs force so your teeth don’t take the full hit.
Sports mouthguards can help reduce the risk of:
A dental injury can happen fast. One missed catch, one fall, one collision, or one accidental elbow can turn into a painful problem. A mouthguard is a small investment compared to the cost and stress of repairing a broken or damaged tooth.
A sport doesn’t have to require a mouthguard for it to be a smart choice.
Many leagues only require mouthguards for certain contact sports like hockey and football, but dental injuries are common in sports where mouthguards are optional. At Apple Tree Dental in Rexburg, we recommend mouthguards for:
Even sports that aren't considered "contact sports" can involve accidental collisions. If there is a chance of contact with another player, the ground, a ball, or sports equipment, a mouthguard is a good idea.
A store-bought mouthguard may feel like the easiest option. They usually fall into one of two categories: stock mouthguards and boil-and-bite mouthguards. They’re both far better than wearing nothing, but they can have drawbacks. Store-bought mouthguards may feel bulky, slip during play, fit unevenly, wear out quickly, and make breathing more difficult.
A custom mouthguard from a dentist is different, and in our opinion, better. It is made to fit your teeth specifically, which means it is usually more comfortable, more secure, and easier to wear during practices and games.
For parents, a custom mouthguard offers peace of mind. You already spend time getting kids to practices, washing uniforms, finding missing cleats, and organizing game-day snacks. A mouthguard is one more layer of protection that helps your child play with confidence.
Custom sports mouthguards are especially helpful for kids who:
You should replace a sports mouthguard if:
For kids and teens, replacing a mouthguard once a season or once a year is a good habit.
A mouthguard spends a lot of time in the mouth, sports bag, locker, or backpack, so cleaning is pretty important. To keep a mouthguard clean:
Heat can warp a mouthguard, altering its fit and reducing overall protection.
Yes. A sports mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to prevent painful and costly dental injuries. For parents, it’s about protecting your child’s smile while they enjoy the sports they love. For BYU-Idaho students and adult players, it’s about staying active and avoiding a dental emergency that could interrupt school, work, and everyday life.
At Apple Tree Dental, we love helping Rexburg families and BYU-Idaho students protect their smiles. Before the next season starts, schedule a visit with Apple Tree Dental and ask about custom sports mouthguards.
Mouthguards are designed to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, gums, and jaw from dental injuries. They are not concussion-prevention devices. Athletes should still use proper safety equipment and follow sport-specific safety guidelines to avoid concussions.
Kids should wear mouthguards as soon as they begin playing sports where falls, contact, or impact are possible. This is especially important once permanent teeth start coming in.
Yes! Braces add another reason to protect the mouth during sports. A hit to the face can cause brackets or wires to cut your lips and cheeks. It can also damage orthodontic appliances or your teeth themselves.
A good mouthguard should feel secure, comfortable, and stable. It should not fall out easily, block breathing, or make the athlete gag.
Apple Tree Dental provides custom sports mouthguards for children, teens, adults, and BYU-Idaho students in Rexburg, Idaho.
