Which Sports Require Mouth Guards?

Sports are built on movement, momentum, and moments you can’t always predict. While helmets, pads, and shoes are widely accepted as essential gear, sports mouthguards often get overlooked, especially outside professional or school-mandated sports.

Yet dental injuries are among the most common sports-related injuries worldwide. A sudden collision, an accidental elbow, a fall, or even clenching during heavy exertion can lead to chipped teeth, fractures, soft-tissue injuries, or long-term jaw problems.

That’s where sports mouth guard for dental protection come in. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a student playing school sports, or someone who trains recreationally, knowing what sports use mouth guards, when they’re required, and how to choose the right one can make a lasting difference for your oral health.

What Is a Mouthguard?

A mouthguard is a protective oral appliance worn over the teeth to reduce the risk of dental and jaw injuries during physical activity. It acts as a shock absorber, cushioning the impact from blows, falls, or sudden force.

High-quality dental mouthguards for sports protect your teeth against chips, cracks, tooth displacement or complete tooth loss. They also prevent lip, cheek, and tongue injuries, jaw fractures and joint strain from excessive pressure from clenching.

Modern mouth guard designs are slim, comfortable, and allow normal breathing and speech. When properly fitted, they become a seamless part of your sports gear.

Top Sports That Require Mouthguards

Some sports have a significantly higher risk of dental injury due to contact, speed, or equipment involved.

Contact Sports

These sports involve direct physical contact and frequent collisions:

• Boxing and MMA
• Rugby
• Ice Hockey
• Lacrosse
• American Football
• Martial Arts (Karate, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu)

In many leagues, sports mouthguards are mandatory because dental injuries are otherwise inevitable.

High-Impact & Ball Sports

Even without intentional contact, these sports still pose risks:

• Basketball
• Soccer
• Baseball and Softball
• Field Hockey
• Cricket
• Wrestling

Elbows, balls, sticks, and falls make mouthguards for sports essential protection.

Action & Extreme Sports

High speed and unpredictable falls increase dental injury risk:

• Skateboarding
• BMX and Mountain Biking
• Snowboarding and Skiing
• Motocross

Dental mouthguards for sports absorb impact and help prevent fractures during crashes.

Youth and School Sports

Children and teens are particularly vulnerable because their teeth and jaws are still developing.

Sports commonly requiring mouthguards in youth leagues include:

• Football
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Wrestling

Early use of mouth guards in sports equipment helps protect long-term oral health.

Types of Mouthguards for Sports

Not all mouthguards offer the same level of protection. Choosing the right type can affect comfort, safety, and performance.

Stock Mouthguards

Stock mouthguards come pre-formed and ready to wear. You’ll often find them in sporting goods stores. These are generally considered the least effective option for sports mouthguards.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are softened in hot water and shaped by biting down. They’re a step up, but still not ideal for frequent or high-impact sports.

Custom Mouth Guards for Sports

Custom mouthguards are created from dental impressions, ensuring a precise fit tailored to your teeth. For anyone serious about safety, custom mouthguards for sports are considered the gold standard. ALIGNERCO mouthguards are made just for you, and the best part is that you can order yours right now, from home.

Can I Skip a Mouthguard during Practice?

This is a common question and a risky assumption. Most sports-related dental injuries occur during practice, not competition. Fatigue, repetition, and reduced focus increase accident risk. Skipping a mouthguard “just for practice” can result in serious injuries.

If you wear a mouthguard during games, you should wear it during practice too.

Are Mouthguards Mandatory in Sports?

Whether mouthguards are mandatory depends on the sport, the athlete’s age group, and the governing league. In high-contact sports such as boxing, MMA, ice hockey, youth football, and lacrosse, wearing a mouthguard is typically required due to the high risk of dental and jaw injuries.

In other sports like basketball, soccer, baseball, and wrestling, mouthguards may not be strictly mandatory, but are strongly recommended. Even when rules don’t enforce their use, dental and medical professionals consistently advise wearing sports mouthguards to reduce the risk of preventable oral injuries during both games and training

Should You Wear a Mouthguard at the Gym?

Yes, in many cases, wearing a mouthguard at the gym is a smart idea. High-intensity workouts, heavy lifting, and strength training often involve clenching the jaw, sometimes without realising it. Over time, this pressure can strain the jaw muscles or even contribute to small fractures or tooth damage. A mouthguard can help absorb that stress, reduce jaw tension, and protect teeth during exertion, making it especially useful for people who grind or clench while training.

Rules for Wearing a Mouthguard in Sports

A mouthguard should be worn during every practice and game, not just on competition days, since most injuries happen during routine play. It needs to fit snugly and stay in place while you move, talk, and breathe, without requiring you to bite down to keep it secure.

Cleaning your mouthguard after each use is essential to prevent bacteria buildup and unpleasant odours. If it becomes cracked, warped, or starts to feel loose, it should be replaced right away, as a damaged guard won’t protect you properly. For the best comfort, durability, and long-term use, custom mouthguards designed specifically for sports are always the safest option.

How to Choose the Right Sports Mouthguard

To choose the right mouth guard for every activity , you need to keep in mind the type of sport you play and how much protection your teeth actually need. Before deciding, ask yourself a few key questions.

What sport do I play?

Contact and collision sports like boxing, MMA, hockey, or football require stronger protection than low-impact activities. The higher the risk of facial contact, the more protective your mouthguard should be.

How often do I train or compete?

Occasional players may manage with standard options, but regular training or competitive play puts repeated stress on your teeth and jaw. Frequent use calls for a durable, long-lasting mouthguard that won’t lose its shape.

Is my sport high-impact or contact-based?

Sports involving falls, fast-moving equipment, or body contact significantly increase the risk of dental injuries. In these cases, a secure fit is critical to prevent displacement during impact.

For athletes who train regularly or compete, custom dental mouthguards for sports offer the highest level of protection. They fit precisely, stay in place during movement, and provide superior comfort compared to boil-and-bite or stock options, making them the safest long-term choice for protecting your smile.

Play Hard, Protect Smarter

Dental injuries can be painful, expensive, and permanent, but they’re also largely preventable. Wearing the right sports mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to protect your smile while staying active.

No matter your sport, age, or experience level, mouthguards for sports should be considered essential equipment, not optional.