I grew up watching Paul Rabil highlights on repeat, imagining myself making those quick cuts and ripping shots from the top of the box. When I finally got to play midfield at the college level, I realized pretty quickly that the game is even faster and more physical than it looks on screen. Sticks fly, bodies collide, and that hard rubber ball doesn't care what's in its way.
One of the first questions I get from younger players or parents new to lacrosse is simple: do you actually need a mouthguard for lacrosse? The short answer is yes, almost always. But like a lot of things in lacrosse, the full answer depends on what level you're playing and what governing body sets the rules. Let's break it down.
Is a Mouthguard Required for Lacrosse?
Mouthguard requirements vary depending on the level and league you're playing in, but across the board, lacrosse treats mouthguards as essential protective equipment.
USA Lacrosse, the national governing body for the sport, strongly recommends that all players wear properly fitted mouthguards during games and practices. At the high school level, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) includes mouthguards as part of required player equipment in its rulebook. The NCAA also mandates mouthguards for men's and women's lacrosse at the collegiate level.
That said, specific enforcement details like acceptable colors or penalty structures can vary by state, conference, or league. If you're stepping onto a new team or moving up a level, it's always smart to check your current league's rulebook or ask your coach what applies.
The bottom line? At nearly every competitive level of lacrosse, wearing a mouthguard isn't optional. It's expected.
Why Lacrosse Players Wear Mouthguards
Lacrosse is a contact sport played at high speed with hard equipment. You've got a solid rubber ball traveling up to 100 mph in some cases, sticks swinging near faces during checks and clears, and plenty of body-to-body contact around the crease. Even if you're not trying to hit someone, accidents happen. Elbows fly during ground balls, sticks come up on follow-throughs, and players collide going for loose balls.
According to the American Dental Association, mouthguards are an important piece of protective equipment that help reduce the risk of dental and oral injuries in contact and projectile sports like lacrosse. They cushion your teeth, protect your lips and cheeks from cuts, and help absorb some of the force from impacts to the jaw.
It's important to note that mouthguards protect your mouth and teeth, they are not designed to prevent concussions. While they play a role in overall player safety, they're specifically there to keep your teeth intact and your soft tissue protected.
This applies whether you're playing men's lacrosse with a full helmet or women's lacrosse with limited head protection. Both versions of the game involve real risk to your mouth and jaw.
Men's vs Women's Lacrosse and Mouthguard Use
Men's and women's lacrosse are different games with different equipment rules, and that affects how mouthguards fit into the picture.
In men's lacrosse, players wear full helmets with face masks, shoulder pads, gloves, and arm guards. The game allows more physical contact, including body checks and stick checks. Mouthguards are required and they fit inside the helmet, staying in place even during heavy contact.
Women's lacrosse, on the other hand, is traditionally a non-contact sport with less protective gear. Players wear goggles for eye protection but no helmets in most cases. Because there's no helmet or face mask covering the mouth, a properly fitted mouthguard becomes even more critical for protecting teeth and soft tissue during accidental stick contact, collisions, or falls.
USA Lacrosse emphasizes the importance of mouthguards in both versions of the game, and many leagues and schools have adopted strict mouthguard requirements for girls' and women's play specifically because of the lack of full headgear.
Whether you're playing men's or women's lacrosse, a mouthguard is one of the most practical and effective pieces of safety equipment you can wear.
What Makes a Good Lacrosse Mouthguard?
As a midfielder, I'm running the full field all game. I need to be able to breathe, call plays, and stay locked in for sixty minutes or more if it goes to overtime. A mouthguard that doesn't fit right is going to end up in my pocket by halftime, and that defeats the whole point.
Here's what actually matters when you're choosing a mouthguard for lacrosse:
Secure fit. It needs to stay in place when you're running, checking, or getting hit. A mouthguard that slides around or falls out is useless.
Comfort over time. You're wearing this thing for entire games and long practices. If it's bulky, makes you gag, or hurts your gums, you're not going to want to keep it in.
Breathability. Lacrosse is a cardio-heavy sport. You need to be able to breathe and communicate with your teammates without feeling like you're suffocating.
Compatibility. If you're playing men's lacrosse, it has to fit well inside your helmet. If you have braces, it needs to work with your orthodontics without causing pain or damage.
USA Lacrosse and dental professionals emphasize the importance of a properly fitted mouthguard, meaning one that's molded to your teeth and stays securely in place during play. A good fit isn't just about comfort it's about making sure the mouthguard can actually do its job when you need it.
Why OPRO Instant Custom-Fit Works for Lacrosse Players
For most players, getting a custom mouthguard made at the dentist isn't realistic. It's expensive, it takes time, and if you're a growing high schooler or playing through braces, you might need a new one every season anyway.
That's where OPRO Instant Custom-Fit comes in. It's designed to give you a custom-style fit that you mold yourself at home. You heat it, bite down, and shape it to your teeth in minutes. The result is a mouthguard that fits like it was made for you, stays put during play, and feels way better than a generic boil-and-bite.
From a player's perspective, OPRO hits all the marks. It's secure enough that I'm not thinking about it mid-play. It's comfortable enough that I can wear it through an entire game without my jaw cramping up. And it lets me breathe and talk to my teammates, which matters when you're trying to run an offense or call out a slide.
It's also practical. You can fit it at home, replace it when you need to, and it works whether you're in a helmet or not. For youth, high school, and college players who are training and competing regularly, it's a high-quality option that delivers the kind of secure, comfortable fit that lacrosse governing bodies recommend without the price tag or scheduling hassle of a dentist visit.
How Often Should You Replace a Lacrosse Mouthguard?
Mouthguards don't last forever. Even a well-made one is going to wear down over time, especially if you're playing multiple seasons a year or grinding through summer tournaments.
You should replace your mouthguard if it no longer fits properly, if it's visibly damaged or worn down, or if your mouth changes like if you're going through a growth spurt or getting braces adjusted. A mouthguard that doesn't fit right isn't going to protect you the way it should.
Most dental and sports safety guidelines suggest inspecting your mouthguard regularly and replacing it at least once per season, or more often if needed. Taking care of it between uses, rinsing it off, letting it dry, storing it in a ventilated case can help it last longer and stay hygienic.
Replacing your mouthguard when it's worn out is just part of being responsible with your equipment, the same way you'd replace a cracked helmet or worn-out cleats.
Final Thoughts
Lacrosse is fast, physical, and unpredictable. Whether you're playing attack, riding as a middie, or clearing the ball on defense, there's always a chance of contact. Mouthguards are part of playing the game responsibly and protecting yourself so you can keep playing for years to come.
The reality is, if your mouthguard doesn't fit well, you're not going to wear it consistently. And if you're not wearing it, it's not doing anything for you. That's why finding the right fit matters.
From my experience and from what I've seen across youth, high school, and college lacrosse, OPRO Instant Custom-Fit is a reliable choice for players who want comfort, protection, and confidence every time they step on the field. It gives you the secure, custom-style fit that makes wearing a mouthguard feel like second nature instead of a chore.
Take care of your teeth. Respect the game. And make sure your gear works as hard as you do.
About the Author: Jake Matthews is a college lacrosse midfielder with years of experience playing at competitive levels. He grew up studying the game through players like Paul Rabil and understands the physical demands and safety considerations that come with playing lacrosse at youth, high school, and collegiate levels.
