Athletes are 60 times more likely to sustain dental damage without a mouthguard.
But here's what the statistics don't tell you: thousands of those injuries happen to athletes who were wearing protection.
The problem isn't just about wearing a mouthguard. It's about wearing one that actually works when impact occurs.
After six years writing about sports safety and speaking with dental professionals, one pattern emerged: poorly fitted mouthguards fail precisely when athletes need them most. They shift on impact, fail to absorb force effectively, and interfere with breathing so much that players instinctively remove them mid-game. The protection exists in theory, but not in practice.
A mouthguard's effectiveness depends on three critical factors: fit, retention, and energy absorption. Miss any one of those, and protection drops sharply. Understanding how mouthguards actually work and why so many fail is the difference between genuine protection and a false sense of security.
What is a sports mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is that bit of kit you wear over your teeth to stop a stray elbow or ball from turning a good match into a dental emergency. Most people call them gumshields, and the best ones are made from materials like EVA soft enough to mould to your teeth, tough enough to take a hit and spread the force so your teeth and jaw don't have to.
Most mouthguards just cover your top teeth, ’since they are more vulnerable to injury. The good news is, modern designs use smarter materials and better construction, so you get proper protection without feeling like you’re chewing on a plastic brick or struggling to catch your breath.
How does a mouthguard protect your teeth?
It’s worth knowing how mouthguards actually do their job, because the protection isn’t just about having a lump of plastic in your mouth. Here’s what’s really going on:
First up is shock absorption. When you take a hit, be it an elbow, a stick, or a mistimed tackle, the EVA in the mouthguard squashes and spreads out the force, so it doesn’t all land on one or two teeth.
Force distribution is the next bit. Instead of one tooth taking the full brunt, the mouthguard spreads the pressure across your whole row of teeth. That’s what helps prevent cracks, chips, or losing a tooth entirely.
Then there’s soft tissue protection. The mouthguard acts as a buffer between your teeth and the inside of your lips, cheeks, and tongue, so you’re less likely to bite through your own mouth if things get rough.
Jaw stabilisation is another bonus. With a mouthguard in, there’s a layer between your top and bottom teeth, so if your jaw snaps shut in a collision, you’re less likely to end up with a broken jaw.
Most modern mouthguards use a layered approach: a softer inside that moulds to your teeth for comfort, and a tougher outside that takes the hits. It’s a simple idea that makes a big difference.
What injuries can a mouthguard prevent?
The statistics around sports-related dental injuries in the UK are sobering. Between 13% and 39% of all dental injuries are linked to sporting accidents, with an estimated 600,000 A&E visits each year involving sports-related dental trauma.
Tooth fractures are right up there as the most common. One direct hit can crack or chip a tooth, leaving the sensitive inside exposed and often needing a crown, root canal, or even extraction.
Avulsed teeth, when a tooth gets knocked clean out, are about as serious as it gets. You can sometimes save the tooth if you act fast, but the odds drop quickly. A mouthguard gives you that bit of cushioning that can mean the difference between keeping your teeth and losing them.
Soft-tissue injuries, such as cuts to your lips, tongue, or cheeks, are both painful and messy. I’ve seen players need stitches after biting right through their own lip in a collision.
Root fractures are sneaky. They happen below the gum line, so the tooth might look fine at first, but can develop an infection weeks or months later.
Jaw injuries, fractures or damage to the joint can mess with your bite and stick with you for life. A well-fitted mouthguard helps soak up the force so it doesn’t go straight to your jaw.
Which sports require a mouthguard?
Mouthguard requirements in the UK vary by competition and club. While World Rugby strongly recommends mouthguards for all players, many schools and clubs make them compulsory for their teams.
High-risk contact sports where mouthguards are strongly recommended include rugby (union and league), hockey, boxing, MMA and martial arts, lacrosse, and American football. These sports involve deliberate physical contact or the use of hard sticks and balls where facial impact is a genuine risk.
Medium-risk sports where mouthguards are advisable include football (particularly for goalkeepers), basketball, cricket (for batsmen facing fast bowling), and water polo. Whilst not typically mandated, the risk of dental injury is well-documented.
Non-contact sports with fall risk also warrant consideration. Gymnastics, skateboarding, mountain biking, and ice skating all involve speeds and heights where falls can result in facial impact.
The British Orthodontic Society strongly recommends mouthguards for anyone with fixed braces participating in contact sports. Braces themselves can cause serious soft tissue damage during impact.
It’s not just organised sport where things go wrong. Plenty of dental injuries happen during a kickabout in the park or a playground game. If there’s any chance of a knock to the face, a mouthguard is a smart bit of insurance.
How to choose the right mouthguard
Choosing the right mouthguard depends on a few things. But everyone needs something that actually works.
Fit and retention aren’t up for debate. If your mouthguard doesn’t stay put, it won’t help when you need it. You shouldn’t have to bite down to keep it in, and it shouldn’t make breathing or talking a chore.
Comfort is what decides whether you’ll actually wear it. I’ve lost count of the number of players who bring a mouthguard to training but never put it in because it’s uncomfortable. If you won’t wear it, it’s useless.
Material thickness does matter, but you don’t need a mouthful of plastic to get good protection, go for multi-layer designs if you want the best shock absorption.
For serious athletes, whether you're playing school rugby or taking up boxing as an adult, OPRO's Instant Custom-Fit technology offers the protection your teeth deserve. The patented compression cage system harnesses your jaw's power to create an accurate impression in minutes, whilst hi-flow gel fins mould precisely around each tooth's contours. Starting from £29.99, it's remoldable if it doesn’t fit the first time perfectly; it has superior retention compared to standard boil-and-bite options.
How should a mouthguard fit?
Getting the fit right is everything for both protection and comfort. A good mouthguard should stay put without you having to bite down or clench your jaw.
You should still be able to breathe and talk with it in. Any mouthguard takes a bit of getting used to, but if you’re struggling for air or can’t call out to teammates, it’s not the right fit.
It should provide cover over the teeth and gums. The mouthguard needs to follow your gumline without digging in or making you gag.
Testing the fit is simple: pop the mouthguard in and open your mouth a bit it should stay put. Try talking and breathing normally. If anything feels off, the fit needs work.
For players with braces, specialised mouthguards accommodate brackets and wires whilst still providing protection, as teeth shift during treatment and conventional mouthguards quickly become ill-fitting.
Protecting your smile for the long term
Sport is brilliant for your health, whatever your age. With the right protection, you can play hard and know you’ve done what you can to keep your teeth safe.
Dental injuries hurt, cost a fortune, and most of the time could have been avoided. Watching my teammate lose her teeth changed how I thought about safety, and it’s a lesson I’d urge every athlete to take seriously.
Modern technology has made that protection more accessible than ever. OPRO's Instant Custom-Fit range delivers professional-level protection without the dentist appointment or the wait. The patented compression cage creates an accurate impression in minutes, whilst hi-flow gel fins mould to each tooth for superior retention. Starting from £29.99, it's the same technology trusted by England Rugby players like Tommy Freeman and Sadia Kabeya. Explore the range to find protection that fits your sport and style.
About the Author:
Sarah Mitchell is a former semi-professional rugby player who transitioned into sports journalism and content creation after a career-ending injury. With a sports science degree from Loughborough University and six years writing for sports equipment brands and healthcare companies, she's passionate about injury prevention and sports safety. Her playing experience gives her first-hand understanding of the practical challenges athletes face in protecting themselves whilst performing at their best.
