As a young athlete, you're training hard, building skills, and competing to be your best. But one piece of gear can make or break your season, and it's not your cleats or your helmet.
It's your mouthguard.
Dental injuries are among the most common preventable injuries in youth sports. A lost tooth or fractured jaw doesn't just hurt, it can cost thousands in dental bills, keep you out of play for weeks, and cause lasting damage. In contact sports, the right mouthguard isn't optional, it's essential.
Not all sports carry the same risks, and not all mouthguards offer the same protection. Let's break down what's best for your sport and how OPRO can help keep your smile safe. (And if you want to understand how the right fit can actually improve your performance on the field, check out how the right mouthguard elevates performance.)
Top Recommended Mouthguard For Football
Helmet-to-helmet collisions, tackles, and hard hits make football one of the riskiest sports for your teeth and jaw. Football players face almost twice the risk of orofacial injuries compared to other athletes. This is not the sport for cheap mouthguards, football demands dependable protection.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit Mouthguard: Ideal for youth and school leagues, lightweight, secure, and comfortable enough for long practices and game days.
- Gold Level Mouthguard: Excellent balance of protection and affordability for developing players; boil-and-bite design with trusted OPRO quality.
The best mouthguard for football youth athletes stays locked in place through every hit, absorbs heavy shocks, and lets you call plays clearly without distraction. Instant Custom-Fit technology ensures a secure fit that won’t shift when it matters most.
Best Mouthguards for Basketball Players
Flying elbows, collisions in the paint, and scrappy under-basket play create more contact than you might expect. You need protection that balances comfort and breathability, you're running the court for four quarters and need to communicate with your team.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit Mouthguard for competitive players - slim, breathable comfort for constant motion
- Gold/Silver Series for recreational play - solid protection at an accessible price
If your mouthguard is bulky or uncomfortable, you won't wear it consistently. The right fit should feel almost invisible while keeping you protected.
Best Mouthguard for Baseball
Fast pitches, line drives, and collisions at bases create real injury risk. Mouthguards only work if you actually wear them, so comfort matters.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Gold/Silver Series for recreational leagues, budget-friendly - reliable protection
- Instant Custom-Fit for competitive players - custom comfort upgrade
Look for a comfortable fit that allows easy breathing and can be quickly removed between innings.
Best Mouthguard for Soccer
Head clashes during headers, flying elbows, and accidental kicks to the face make soccer riskier for teeth than many realize. You need lightweight protection that won't restrict your breathing over 90 minutes of running.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit for competitive club players—optimal comfort and airflow
- Gold/Silver Series for recreational or school-level play—great protection without the investment
Soccer players run miles each game, a heavy guard can restrict breathing and reduce stamina. Choose ultra-lightweight protection that stays secure during continuous movement.
Best Mouthguard for Hockey Players
Pucks, sticks, body checks, and collisions against the boards make hockey one of the highest-risk sports for dental injuries. Even with face cages, serious injuries happen.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit for school and youth house leagues, serious impact resistance
Hockey mouthguards must handle extreme impacts while allowing clear communication on the ice, with multi-layer absorption and extended coverage.
Best Mouthguard for Field Hockey Players
Fast stick play, deflections, and close-in shots create significant oral injury risk. You need secure, breathable protection that stays comfortable through constant running.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit for competitive players - serious impact resistance
- Gold/Silver Series for school and recreational play - reliable, budget-friendly protection
Field hockey requires quick communication and endurance, choose a low-profile fit that allows clear speech and steady breathing.
Best Mouthguard for Rugby
Tackles, rucks, and scrums produce frequent head and jaw impacts. Continuous play means your mouthguard must stay secure without constant adjustment.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit for club and school rugby - secure fit and durable impact absorption
- Gold/Silver Series for training and recreational matches - dependable protection at a great value
A rugby mouthguard should offer strong retention and comfort for long phases of play, look for a fit that allows clear calls and steady breathing.
Best Mouthguard for Lacrosse
Hard rubber balls, stick contact, and body checks create serious injury risk in one of America's fastest-growing youth sports. Proper mouthguard protection for contact sports is non-negotiable.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit for both boys' and girls' lacrosse - balance of impact resistance and breathable comfort
Lacrosse is fast and physical, requiring a guard with secure retention during play and protection designed specifically for stick sports.
Best Mouthguard for Wrestling
Jaw pressure, accidental headbutts, and the risk of biting your tongue during takedowns create unique challenges. You need a slim, secure mouthguard that stays put without constant clenching.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit for natural breathing and fatigue-free comfort
You'll wear your guard through entire matches - it needs a slim fit with excellent airflow to support your endurance.
Best Mouthguard for Boxing and MMA
Direct strikes to the face aren't accidental, they're intentional impact. When your sport involves facial strikes, you need professional-grade protection.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Instant Custom-Fit for reliable protection during sparring and full-contact training
- Gold/Silver Series for everyday training sessions - dependable and accessible
UFC athletes wear OPRO guards for a reason. When protection is the difference between training and serious injury, you need pro-grade construction.
Mouthguards That Fit Over Braces
If you have braces, you face additional risks: cuts to lips and cheeks, potential damage to brackets, and discomfort from poor fit. You need specialized protection designed specifically for orthodontic wear.
OPRO Recommendation:
- Gold Mouthguard for Braces specifically engineered to protect both your teeth and orthodontic hardware
This mouthguard molds around brackets and provides the cushioning necessary to protect your lips and cheeks while accommodating your orthodontic treatment. Always consult your orthodontist before choosing a guard, they can guide you on the best fit during your specific treatment plan.
Understanding OPRO's Product Range
Gold, Silver & Bronze Series: Boil-and-bite guards offering reliable OPRO protection at accessible prices, great for recreational athletes or sports with lower contact risk. The Gold Mouthguard for Braces is also part of this series, specifically designed for athletes with orthodontics.
Instant Custom-Fit: Advanced, dentist-designed technology that molds to your teeth at home in minutes. Slim-fit comfort for incidental contact sports.
OPRO's patented Instant Custom-Fit system delivers dentist-level precision without the appointment or lab fees—superior retention, optimal comfort, and professional-grade impact absorption engineered for youth athletes.
Why OPRO: Trusted by Athletes, Backed by Science
OPRO mouthguards are dentist-designed and athlete-tested, trusted by UFC fighters, Pop Warner, the American Football Confederation, and American Wrestling. With up to $20,000 dental warranty coverage on select models and multi-layer protection systems refined over decades, OPRO delivers engineering you can trust. When you trust your gear, you can play at your best.
Quick Selection Summary
| Sport Type | Recommended OPRO Product |
|---|---|
| Football, Hockey, Rugby, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Combat, Field Hockey | Instant Custom-Fit or Gold/Silver Series |
| Basketball, Soccer, Baseball | Instant Custom-Fit or Gold/Silver Series |
| Athletes with Braces | Gold Mouthguard for Braces |
| Budget-Friendly | Gold/Silver/Bronze Series |
Get the Right Protection for Your Game
You train hard. You compete harder. Your mouthguard should work just as hard for you.
Your smile is irreplaceable. Your season matters.
Play hard. Stay protected.
