3 Reasons Why Mouthguards Cause Gagging And Ways To Fix It!

One of the main complaints that athletes have about mouthguards is that they are uncomfortable, and oftentimes, make them gag.

Since athletes have a 33-56% chance of receiving an injury to the mouth or face during their playing career, and a lifetime cost of approximately $20,000 just for one broken tooth, it’s extremely important to protect their smile. So, wearing a mouthguard is a must.

But what if — like many athletes — their mouthguard makes them gag? How does it happen, and how do you fix it?

1. Their mouthguard is too big

A common myth about mouthguards is that they need to completely cover all of the upper teeth. This is simply not true and actually contributes to gagging.

Mouthguards should avoid the soft palate — the fleshy, flexible part toward the back of the roof of the mouth. Material in this area only causes discomfort and gagging, and doesn’t provide any protection from injury.

How to fix it: For proper protection and maximum comfort, mouthguards must end between the end of the first molar and midway through the second.

2. Their mouthguard is too bulky

Gagging often occurs when a player’s mouthguard simply has too much material. The logic makes sense: more material, more protection. Realistically, that’s not the case. When a mouthguard is too bulky, it’s the wrong mouthguard.

Proper protection starts with a minimum of 4 mm of material in the important impact zones — the areas in the front of the teeth and under the molars. However, these zones change from sport to sport. A mouthguard that’s recommended for football may not be ideal for basketball.

How to fix it: Make sure your athletes have the proper mouthguard for their sport and that it adequately protects the important impact zones. For example, sports like football and ice hockey need protection against collisions between the upper and lower jaw mostly, because players wear facemasks; but for a sport like basketball or field hockey, more frontal protection is needed due to the lack of a face cage. Having too much material is just as bad as having too little.

3. Their mouthguard is not staying in place

When a mouthguard doesn’t fit tightly without biting or clenching, there’s a good chance it will end up where it shouldn’t. Often times just floating around the mouth during play. And that’s another big factor in gagging and discomfort.

Mouthguards should stay securely and tightly on the upper teeth without falling out or shifting. And they definitely shouldn’t have to be adjusted or played with during game action. It all comes down to the design process of the mouthguard.

How to fix it: Most stock mouthguards are made with extra material to help “grab onto” the teeth and stick in the mouth. Custom mouthguards are engineered for each specific athlete, as they are designed from an exact impression of the athlete’s mouth structure and pressed at 120lbs per sq in. To match each player’s mouth, each mouthguard must be cut and formed differently from the next. Which is why Gladiator custom mouthguards are always cut by hand. This creates an intimate fit, allowing athletes to drink water and communicate with teammates without the mouthguard moving from their teeth.

With a patented cut design and material only where it needs to be, Gladiator custom mouthguards are the most comfortable mouthguards available — meaning no gagging, and better performance! Learn more at the link below.

Fix The Gag And Improve Performance

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.