4 Reasons Coaches, Athletic Trainers And Players Fall Head-Over-Heels For Custom Mouthguards

As an athletic trainer or coach, it’s hard to get your players to fall in love with a piece of athletic equipment — especially one they’re required to wear. And that’s even truer for a piece of gear your players struggle to even like at times, such as their mouthguards.

Whether your athletes “lose” their mouthguards or incur a penalty for not wearing them, you’re the one responsible for making sure your athletes wear their mouthguards and wear them properly. So how do you spark a love affair between your players and their protective gear that you will also love? Two words: custom mouthguards.

1. Love ‘em, Don’t Lose ‘em

Players tend to “forget” or “lose” their generic mouthguards on purpose because they are typically ugly, uncomfortable and ineffective. They don’t value those mouthguards, they’re simply forced to have them.

But what would happen if your players actually loved their mouthguards? Have you ever seen a player “lose” their jersey or team jacket?

With a completely personalized mouthguard — from color and logo to name and number — your athletes don’t just get a piece of equipment they’re forced to wear, but a new piece of team gear they value as much as their jersey. And a custom mouthguard with a player’s name, number and team logo instantly becomes a favorite piece of their uniform and an essential component of completing their game face.

That’s something that doesn’t get left in a locker or in the trash — saving you the hassle of replacing your players’ mouthguards every game.

2. Know Love, No Penalties

Not only are mouthguards a mandatory piece of equipment; officials are now enforcing penalties on teams and players for not properly wearing them. Is a two-minute penalty or a 10-yard infraction really worth it when your players are also leaving themselves open to an easily avoidable injury? What about when an athlete is forced to leave the court, ice or field for failing to have a mandatory piece of equipment?

A penalty for a mouthguard being out is frustrating and unnecessary. Custom mouthguards are made to fit the individual mouth structure of each athlete. That means there’s no need to take their mouthguard out — it fits perfectly! Which means fewer penalties for your team and more time on the attack!

3. Communication Is Key

A loving relationship is rooted in solid communication skills. And so is being successful on the field, court or ice.

But generic mouthguards are the wrong match for your players. Important functions like communicating, breathing and drinking water are severely inhibited by the bulkiness of a stock guard, which makes it hard for your players to fall in love with their mouthguards.

However, custom-made mouthguards make it easy to fall head-over-heels. Not only do players speak, breathe and drink with ease when wearing custom mouthguards, but they actually play better, as the optimal oxygen flow enhances performance. Every coach wants more communication between their athletes on the field, court or ice and custom mouthguards are ready to give that to you.

4. Less Injuries, Less Heartbreak

Quick: what’s the number one reason for your players to wear mouthguards?

For protection, obviously! But, mouthguards only protect if they’re worn properly. And as a coach or athletic trainer, injures have the ability to derail even the best game plan.

When a mouthguard doesn’t fit correctly, there is no guarantee the mouthguard is going to be in place when impact comes. Custom mouthguards, however, are always in the right place at the right time. That’s why the American Dental Association and the Academy for Sports Dentistry state that custom mouthguards are 1000% more protective than any other kind of mouthguard. And because a custom mouthguard fits so perfectly, they’re not just the most protective mouthguards available, but the most comfortable as well.

As a coach or athletic trainer, what’s not to love about less injury time and more playing time for your athletes?

Give your players a piece of athletic equipment they’ll fall in love with this Valentine’s Day and you may just fall head-over-heels too.

Fall In Love

Author Bio

Travis Armideo, marketing manager at Gladiator Custom Mouthguards, is a lifelong ice hockey player. He began playing for various clubs at a young age and continued onto junior teams, while also playing lacrosse at the collegiate level. Travis is still heavily involved in athletics, coaching high school and youth ice hockey athletes, as well as playing men’s league ice hockey on a regular basis.