Let’s look at the importance of wearing a mouthguard in sports.
If you’re involved in sports, particularly contact sports, you should know what to look for in a good mouthguard.
Mouthguards are simple yet indispensable devices that can make a huge difference in protecting your teeth and mouth from injury during sporting activities. Many sporting associations now require athletes to wear mouthguards as part of their essential equipment.
To understand how different mouthguards compare in terms of fit and protection, see our complete mouthguard guide to choosing the right mouthguard.
Why are mouthguards so important?
Dental injuries in sports
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), mouthguards play a crucial role in preventing dental injuries in sports. Research summarised by the ADA shows that people who don’t wear a mouthguard have more than twice the risk of orofacial injury, and one review found mouthguard users were 82–93% less likely to suffer dentofacial injuries. Moreover, up to 39% of all dental injuries are related to sports, with the majority of these injuries occurring to the upper front teeth.
Importance of wearing a mouthguard: Protection against impact
The primary purpose of a mouthguard is to absorb the energy generated by an impact to the teeth, in turn reducing or preventing injury to the teeth and associated structures. A well-fitted mouthguard can help prevent tooth fractures, tooth dislocations, and soft tissue injuries to the cheeks, lips, and tongue. By acting as a cushion and redistributing the force of an impact, mouthguards serve as a barrier between your teeth and the impacting object. Mouthguards are an important safeguard, but no mouthguard can guarantee protection against every impact — learn more about the limitations of mouthguards.
Mandatory mouthguards in high-risk sports
In recognition of the benefits that wearing a mouthguard offers, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) and Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) have joined forces to formulate a Mandatory Mouthguard Policy. This policy recommends that mouthguards become a compulsory piece of equipment for high-risk sports and encourages a “No Mouthguard, No Play” rule in a variety of sports, including football, rugby, lacrosse, hockey and boxing. Many sporting clubs and associations have taken the proactive approach to protect their members and enforce this rule.
Mouthguards not only for high-risk sports
While mandatory in high-risk sports, there are many sports deemed as lower-contact that would also benefit from the mandatory inclusion of mouthguards, such as basketball. Highly regarded basketballers have lost or broken teeth playing the sport they love. This has encouraged fellow sportspeople to be more proactive in mouthguard wear on the basketball court.
Importance of wearing a mouthguard in sports conclusion:
Wearing a mouthguard is a simple yet effective way to safeguard your teeth and mouth from injury during sports. From high-risk contact sports to seemingly safer, low-impact activities, a well-fitted mouthguard can make a substantial difference in preventing dental injuries. Remember always to choose a mouthguard that fits well, is comfortable to wear and provides the protection you need. Your smile will thank you for it, and you can continue enjoying your favourite sports with added peace of mind. Our guide on how to choose the right mouthguard explains the main design and material considerations in more detail.
The Neomorph Mouthguard was designed by a dental clinician with a keen focus on these major factors. It is also conveniently available and can be worn with or without braces or clear aligner attachments (remove your aligners before fitting and wearing). If you wear braces or bonded attachments, see our complete mouthguard guide for orthodontics for more information.
Wearing a mouthguard is essential, but keeping it clean is just as important — learn how to clean and care for your mouthguard to reduce bacteria and extend its lifespan.
To further highlight the importance of wearing a mouthguard in sport, you must recognise that dental trauma extends far beyond the initial blow. A broken or lost tooth will frequently require extensive, expensive, and ongoing dental treatments, including root canals, crowns, or dental implants. By investing in a properly fitted option like the Neomorph mouthguard, athletes can add an important safeguard when participating in contact sports. Whether you wear braces or clear aligners, prioritising a protective mouthguard helps to protect your smile and reduce the potential lifelong complications and financial burdens that can come from dental injury.
