After two decades coaching college wrestlers, I've seen what happens when athletes skip the basics. The worst moment of my coaching career wasn't losing a championship match, it was watching one of my top wrestlers lose his front teeth in a routine scramble because he thought mouthguard protection was optional.
That day changed everything about how I approach athlete safety.
What Happens When You Get Hit Without a Mouthguard
Most people think wrestling is safer than striking sports like boxing or football. They're wrong about the forces involved.
In a scramble for position, two athletes weighing 165+ pounds are moving with explosive speed. When heads collide, elbows fly, or a knee catches a jaw, the impact force can exceed several hundred pounds per square inch. I've watched it happen hundreds of times.
The problem? Athletes never see it coming. One second you're fighting for an underhook. The next, your training partner's shoulder drives into your jaw with the full force of their body weight behind it.
What Actually Happens During Impact
When your jaw takes a hit without mouthguard protection, here's the sequence:
The jaw snaps shut violently. Your teeth collide with tremendous force, upper teeth slamming into lower teeth, or teeth grinding against the inside of your cheeks and lips.
Shock waves travel upward. The impact doesn't stop at your teeth. Force transfers through your jaw joint, radiating toward your skull and brain. Your entire head absorbs energy it was never designed to handle in that way.
Soft tissue gets trapped. Without a barrier, your tongue, cheeks, and lips get caught between colliding teeth.
Teeth crack, chip, or dislodge. Even "minor" impacts can fracture tooth enamel or loosen teeth from their sockets. The damage often isn't visible immediately, but shows up weeks later at the dentist.
This isn't theoretical. This is what I've witnessed on the mat, year after year.
Why Athletes Need Mouthguards: A Coach's Story
His name was Marcus. Junior year, one of my strongest middleweights, projected to place at regionals. Smart kid, 3.6 GPA, planning to be an engineer.
Marcus hated wearing his mouthguard during practice. Said it felt bulky. Made it harder to breathe. Claimed he'd be "more careful" during live drilling.
I should have made it non-negotiable. I didn't.
During a standard takedown drill, nothing aggressive, just technique work, his partner shot in slightly off-angle. Marcus sprawled to defend. Their heads collided. Not a devastating blow, just an awkward angle at the wrong moment.
Marcus stood up with blood pouring from his mouth. Both front teeth were gone. Not chipped. Gone.
He needed emergency dental surgery, two implants, and months of follow-up treatment. Insurance covered some of it, but his family paid thousands out of pocket. He missed three weeks of training during our most critical preparation period.
Worse than the physical damage was watching his confidence evaporate. He was self-conscious about smiling, about talking. The psychological impact of that injury affected his performance for the rest of the season.
That incident cost Marcus far more than teeth. It cost him his season, his confidence, and part of his college experience.
I've required mouthguards for every practice and match since that day. No exceptions.
Why Athletes Don't Wear Mouthguards (And Why They Should)
Every season, new athletes push back on mouthguard protection. I've heard it all:
"We're just drilling, not going hard." Most injuries happen during "routine" practice when athletes are relaxed and not expecting contact.
"I can't breathe as well." Modern athletic mouthguards are designed for airflow. Breathing difficulty usually means poor fit, not the mouthguard itself.
"It makes me gag." Again, that's a fit problem. A properly fitted mouthguard shouldn't trigger your gag reflex.
"I'm careful, I don't need one." Marcus thought the same thing. Injuries happen in milliseconds, regardless of how careful you think you are.
Types of Mouthguards: Which Offers Best Protection
Not all mouthguard protection is created equal. I've seen the difference firsthand.
I switched my entire program to OPRO mouthguards five years ago. The difference in compliance has been remarkable, athletes actually wear them because they're comfortable enough to breathe, speak, and drink water without removal.
Mouthguard Comparison: Protection Levels Explained
| Type | Injury Risk | Fit Quality | Athlete Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| No mouthguard | Severe - full exposure to impact forces | N/A | N/A |
| Low-quality stock | High - minimal shock absorption, poor coverage | Loose, uncomfortable | Low (often removed during activity) |
| Quality OPRO | Superior force distribution and shock absorption | Precise, stays in place | High (great comfort, fit and protection) |
The best mouthguard is the one athletes actually wear. If it's uncomfortable, they'll take it out the moment you're not watching.
Mouthguard Safety Tips From a College Coach
I can't force every athlete I'll ever coach to prioritize safety. But I can share what I've learned:
Prevention is cheaper than treatment. Dental implants cost thousands. Quality mouthguards cost tens. The math isn't complicated.
Injuries happen to careful athletes. Every wrestler I've seen get hurt thought they were being cautious. Impact forces don't care about your intentions.
Comfort drives compliance. Athletes won't protect themselves with gear they hate wearing. Invest in mouthguard protection that fits properly.
The injury you prevent defines your season. Marcus's injury didn't just affect him, it affected team morale, our lineup, and our competitive results.
I tell every incoming freshman the same thing on day one: "Your teeth don't grow back. Your jaw doesn't heal overnight. Mouthguard protection isn't optional in this room."
Choosing the Best Mouthguard for Athletes
Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, mouthguard protection should be non-negotiable. Wrestling is demanding enough without adding preventable dental injuries to the equation.
Look for mouthguards designed specifically for athlete safety. OPRO has been protecting athletes in combat sports, rugby, and wrestling for over 30 years, they understand what works on the mat because they've been there, testing and refining their technology with real athletes under real conditions.
The right mouthguard should offer proper shock absorption, stay firmly in place during intense activity, and be comfortable enough that athletes keep it in. That's the standard my program holds, and it's the standard you should demand.
Don't wait for your "Marcus moment" to take athlete protection seriously. Make quality mouthguard protection part of your training culture from day one.
Explore more on athlete safety in our Impact Protection Series because every athlete deserves to finish their season with their smile intact.
Coach Mike Torrino - Head Wrestling Coach,
20+ Years Coaching Experience
