5 Signs That It’s Time To Replace Your Mouthguard

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

While that may be the case for most products you purchase, when it comes to protective gear, that adage doesn’t truly apply. And that’s especially true about mouthguards.

How do you know when an athlete’s mouthguard needs to be replaced? Simply put, it doesn’t have to be falling apart. The look of a mouthguard doesn’t tell the whole story — it may still look usable while becoming worn, damaged, loose, uncomfortable or poorly fitting.

Here are the five important signs that your player’s mouthguard may no longer be providing the fit, comfort or protection your athlete needs.

1. It no longer fits the same

This is by far the most important factor when determining if a mouthguard needs to be replaced.

Does the mouthguard feel loose? Does it shift during play? Does it need to be bit on to keep in position? Does it no longer feel as secure as it once did?
These are all signs that your mouthguard no longer fits properly and needs to be replaced. These changes in fit happen for a variety of reasons and, at some point, are inevitable. What’s important is to notice it quickly and get a replacement.

2. The mouthguard has become uncomfortable

Does your player take their mouthguard out more often during play, constantly adjust their guard in their mouth, chews on their guard, removes it to communicate or simply avoids wearing it at times?

These are all habits that develop when the mouthguard has lost comfort. When an athlete doesn’t want to wear their mouthguard, they won’t be protected when it’s needed most

3. Signs of significant wear or damage

Take a visual assessment of the mouthguard. If you see any of the following, it’s likely a sign to get a replacement:

• cracks
• tears
• splits
• punctures
• worn-down areas
• rough or damaged edges
• deep bite marks
• material that has become distorted

Mouthguards take normal wear and tear over time, so not everything above requires immediate replacement. It’s the cumulative effects of wear and tear that adds up and leads to poorer protection.

4. Mouthguard looks dull or old

The mouth can be a dirty place — and that exposes mouthguards to saliva, food particles and moisture.

If not cleaned and dried properly, this will lead to bacteria build up which, if not replaced, will result in illness or tooth damage. Mouthguards should be as clean as possible.

5. The athlete’s mouth has changed

This is particularly relevant for younger athletes, as the mouth stops growing after the age of 14 and/or any orthodontic treatment. However, other changes can occur to older athletes, including injuries and elective dental work.

Younger athletes go through a variety of dental experiences, including growing and shifting teeth, tooth loss, new teeth, braces and other growth-related changes. These will all result in the need for a new mouthguard. Typically, an impression will be accurate for 1-2 years, but every athlete varies.

For sanitary reasons and to combat the cumulative effects of wear and tear, Gladiator recommends that mouthguards are replaced once a year/season to keep the best fit and protection possible. And Gladiator offers replacements at up to 50% off with an easy ordering process from your digitally stored impression. Learn more below.

Is It Time for A Replacement?

Author Bio

Bobbie Quinn, co-founder of Gladiator Custom Mouthguards, played both lacrosse and field hockey as a youth and went on to play Division 1 women’s lacrosse in college. Bobbie continues to play women’s league field hockey and enjoys watching her son play various sports.