The Athlete’s Guide to Choosing A Mouthguard

January 30, 2025

What is an athletic mouthguard?

An athletic mouthguard is a protective dental device designed to minimize the risk of injury during sports or physical activity. By absorbing and distributing impact forces, a mouthguard can prevent damage to teeth, gums, and the jaw, making it an essential piece of equipment for athletes to protect their smiles.

Sports-related accidents are a leading cause of dental trauma, costing millions in dental care each year. High-impact sports such as football, wrestling, and hockey, as well as activities prone to falls, like gymnastics, significantly increase the risk of severe and sometimes irreparable damage to the oral cavity.

What do mouthguards protect against?

Athletic activities, especially contact sports, can pose various risks to your teeth, soft tissue, and jaw. Mouthguards minimize these risks and provide a layer protection against:

1. Tooth Injuries

Prevents cracks, chips, and fractures.
Reduces the risk of partial dislodgement or complete tooth loss.
Protects against tooth shifting or misalignment.

2. Soft Tissue Injuries

Shields the lips and cheeks from cuts or punctures by sharp tooth edges.
Prevents accidental tongue biting during abrupt movements.

3. Jaw Injuries

Stabilizes the jaw position, minimizing the risk of dislocation or sprain.
Reduces likelihood of the development of TMJ disorders.

Investing in a high-quality mouthguard, such as a custom option fabricated by your dentist, ensures better protection against these injuries.

Which type of mouthguard is best for me?

Mouthguards are typically categorized into three types, each balancing between cost and effectiveness:

1. Custom Mouthguards

With cutting-edge techniques like 3D imaging, custom mouthguards are engineered to provide a precise fit that is tailored to the unique form of every individual. Whether your priority is safety, performance, or comfort, custom mouthguards ensure you will receive the highest quality to meet your needs.

2. Premade Mouthguards

Off-the-shelf mouthguards are premade and ready to use out of the box. Their one-size-fits-all design uses lower quality materials and often results in a poor fit, making them less comfortable and less effective.

3. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

True to their name, boil-and-bite mouthguards require users to bite into a heat-softened mold to shape it to their teeth. While these DIY guards offer better accuracy and comfort than premade options, they still lack the precise fit, superior stability, and long-term durability of the professionally customized alternative.

Why are custom mouthguards the best choice?

Custom mouthguards are uniquely designed to your mouth, offering advantages that over-the-counter options simply can’t match. The process begins with a detailed digital model of your teeth. A sheet of soft plastic material is then heated and carefully molded around this model, capturing every contour for maximum accuracy. Once the material cools and hardens, your dental team will meticulously trim and polish the mouthguard, removing any excess to achieve a seamless finish. The result of this process offers:

Unmatched Comfort: Crafted to fit snugly, custom mouthguards eliminate the bulky feel often associated with generic alternatives. This precise fit ensures you can wear your guard comfortably for extended periods.

Comprehensive Personalization: Custom mouthguards can be tailored to accommodate braces or other dental appliances.

Reliable Protection: Unlike store-bought mouthguards that may shift or loosen, custom mouthguards stay securely in place, even during high-intensity activities.

Enhanced Performance: With a secure, distraction-free fit, you can easily breathe and communicate without discomfort or worry.

Athletes across various sports, from football to martial arts, rely on custom mouthguards to stay safe. Investing in a custom mouthguard is not just a precaution— it’s a proactive step toward long-term oral health.

Next steps:

Our team is here to help! Contact us today to fabricate your custom mouthguard with trusted professionals, and take the first step toward lasting protection and peace of mind.