Picture this: a rugby scrum collapses, a hockey stick swings wide during a tackle, or a boxer takes an unexpected uppercut. In that split second, the difference between walking away unscathed and facing months of dental recovery often comes down to a few millimetres of protective material. After years on the sidelines of rugby and hockey pitches, I've seen one rule hold true, you can replace a ball, not a smile.
Mouthguards might seem like a small piece of kit, but their role in injury prevention is enormous. Whether you're a competitive athlete, a parent watching from the stands, or a coach responsible for your team's wellbeing, understanding why mouthguards matter is essential for keeping players safe and performing at their best.
What Does a Mouthguard Actually Do?
At its core, a mouthguard is designed to absorb and distribute the force of impact away from your teeth, gums, and jaw. When you take a blow to the face or jaw, that energy has to go somewhere. Without protection, it concentrates directly on your teeth and bone structure, which can lead to chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, jaw fractures, or soft tissue injuries.
But protection goes well beyond just your teeth. A properly fitted mouthguard helps stabilise the jaw joint, protecting the entire lower facial structure from impact forces. Research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association shows that wearing a mouthguard can cut the risk of dental injury by up to 90%.
Think of it as a shock absorber for your face, it doesn't just protect what's in your mouth, it protects what's connected to it.
Why Athletes Choose to Wear Mouthguards
Required by Governing Bodies and League Rules
In many sports, wearing a mouthguard isn't just recommended, it's mandatory. World Rugby, England Hockey, and numerous boxing and martial arts organisations require mouthguards for all participants. Junior leagues and schools often have even stricter requirements to protect young, developing athletes.
These rules exist for good reason. Governing bodies have reviewed decades of injury data and determined that mandatory mouthguard use significantly reduces serious injuries. If you're coaching or playing in organised sport, checking your league's protection requirements should be part of your pre-season checklist.
Preventing Dental and Jaw Injuries
The most obvious reason athletes wear mouthguards is to protect their teeth. Dental injuries are among the most common sports-related injuries, and they're often completely avoidable.
We're talking about real consequences here: fractured or knocked-out teeth, cuts to the lips and tongue, and jaw fractures that can require surgery and months of recovery. I've seen talented young players lose entire seasons because of injuries that could have been prevented with a simple mouthguard. The financial cost can be staggering too; dental reconstruction often runs into thousands of pounds, far exceeding the cost of quality mouth protection.
Protecting Soft Tissue
Beyond teeth and jaw protection, mouthguards also shield the soft tissues inside your mouth. During impact, your teeth can cut into your lips, cheeks, and tongue, causing painful lacerations that may require stitches. A properly fitted mouthguard creates a protective barrier between your teeth and soft tissues, preventing these types of injuries that can be just as disruptive to your season as dental damage.
Boosting Confidence and Focus During Play
Here's something that doesn't always make it into the research papers but I see every single week: athletes who wear mouthguards play with more confidence. When you know your teeth are protected, you're free to focus entirely on your performance rather than holding back in physical situations.
This psychological advantage is real. Players commit more fully to tackles, feel comfortable being physical in the key, and generally play with less hesitation. It's the difference between playing defensively because you're worried about injury and playing your natural game with full commitment.
Who Should Wear a Mouthguard?
The short answer: anyone participating in activities where there's a risk of contact to the face.
Contact sports like rugby, boxing, hockey, lacrosse, and martial arts are the obvious candidates. In these sports, collisions are part of the game, and mouthguards are essential protective equipment often mandatory.
But protection isn't just for contact athletes. Basketball players regularly catch elbows during rebounds. Mountain bikers take spills on technical terrain. Skateboarders learn new tricks and sometimes learn them the hard way. Even in sports like cricket or baseball, a ball travelling at high speed poses a genuine risk.
As a general rule, if your sport involves speed, contact with other players, or the possibility of falling, a mouthguard is worth considering.
How to Choose the Right Mouthguard
Not all mouthguards offer the same level of protection or comfort. Understanding your options helps you make the right choice for your sport and your mouth.
Stock Mouthguards are the ready-made options you find in sports shops. They're inexpensive and available immediately, but they offer minimal customisation. Most athletes find them bulky and uncomfortable, which often leads to poor compliance, you can't be protected by a mouthguard sitting in your kit bag.
Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards offer a middle ground. You soften them in hot water and then bite down to create a basic impression of your teeth. They're more comfortable than stock guards and offer reasonable protection at an accessible price point. For recreational athletes, they're often a practical choice.
Custom-Fit Mouthguards provide the highest level of protection and comfort. Made from an impression of your teeth, they fit precisely to your mouth, stay securely in place, and don't interfere with breathing or communication. Research in PMC journals highlight that custom-made mouthguards deliver greater comfort and protection than over-the-counter alternatives, helping athletes safeguard their teeth without compromising performance.
OPRO's Instant Custom-Fit technology brings professional-level protection to athletes at every level, for those who want the very best. The investment in a properly fitted mouthguard pays dividends in both protection and performance.
Caring for Your Mouthguard
Even the best mouthguard won't protect you properly if it's not maintained correctly. Studies on mouthguard hygiene and maintenance highlight that proper care isn’t just about keeping your guard in good condition, it’s also essential for protecting your health by reducing bacterial build-up and potential infection risks.
After every use, rinse your mouthguard thoroughly with cool water. Store it in a ventilated case, not wrapped in a towel or thrown loose in your kit bag where bacteria can thrive.
Check your mouthguard regularly for signs of wear: thinning material, tears, or a loose fit. Most mouthguards should be replaced at least once per season, and growing athletes may need replacements more frequently as their mouths change.
For optimal hygiene, consider investing in a UV cleaning case, which uses ultraviolet light to eliminate bacteria and keep your mouthguard fresh. OPRO's UV Cleaning Case provides professional-grade cleaning between uses.
Protect Your Game, Protect Your Smile
Mouthguards represent a small investment with enormous returns. For the cost of a pair of traininers, you're protecting yourself from injuries that could cost thousands to repair and keep you off the field for months.
I've spent over 15 years advising schools, clubs, and governing bodies on player protection, and the evidence is overwhelming: athletes who wear properly fitted mouthguards suffer fewer injuries, play with greater confidence, and maintain their dental health throughout their sporting careers.
Whether you're stepping onto a rugby pitch, lacing up boxing gloves, or simply want to protect your smile during recreational sport, a quality mouthguard isn't optional equipment, it's essential.
Ready to find your perfect fit? Explore OPRO’s complete range of mouthguards designed for athletes who take their protection seriously. From instant custom-fit designs to our top-tier Gold range offering professional-level protection, there’s a solution that fits your sport, your mouth, and your budget.
Because you can always buy new kit, but you can't replace your smile.
About the Author
Sports Safety Consultant with over 15 years' experience helping athletes and teams improve safety in sport.
