The Top 3 (and-a-half) Things To Look For In A Mouthguard

With an estimated five million teeth knocked out each year related to sports and recreation activities in the U.S., it’s important you take every precaution possible to protect your athletes. That’s why mouthguards have become a requirement in the majority of sports leagues, from youth sports to the collegiate level and up through the professional ranks.

But with so many mouthguard options available, how do you know which one is right for your players? Which type of guard offers the most protection and comfort? What should you be looking for in a mouthguard?

Here are the top three and-a-half things you should look for in a mouthguard:

1. Protection

The most important reason to purchase a mouthguard is clear: it is a piece of protective equipment after all. But not all mouthguards are created equally.

In order to provide the proper protection, a mouthguard needs to be designed with the right amount of material in the important impact zones — across the front of the teeth and along the bottom of the molars. Those impact zones are where mouthguards absorb any frontal impact that could cause an injury, as well as any collision between the upper and lower jaw, which may cause TMJ injuries, jaw fractures and jaw dislocations.

Stock or mass produced mouthguards typically have a bulkiness that extends to the areas of the mouth where protection isn’t necessary, making them uncomfortable and less effective. Mouthguards that offer the best protection have at least 4mm of thickness in the important impact zones and less material in other areas.

2. Fit

Not all mouthguards are created equally … and neither are your players’ mouths.

Whether you give your players boil-and-bite guards or a custom mouthguard, having the right fit is a very important factor in determining if a mouthguard is right for your player. In order to get the most protection and comfort out of a mouthguard, it simply needs to fit properly.

Everyone’s mouth is different. It’s important to be sure your players are getting mouthguards that have been designed taking into account the individual structure of their mouths. Mouthguards need to have a tight enough fit to firmly stay on the upper teeth without being held in place with the lower jaw. When a mouthguard fits snuggly it stays in place during any impact and won’t become dislodged.

According to the Academy for Sports Dentistry, custom mouthguards that are individually engineered to fit an athlete’s teeth and mouth are 1000% more protective than any other type of mouthguard. The better the fit, the more likely the guard is right where it needs to be when your players take a hit.

3. Comfort

Mouthguards might be a required piece of equipment, but that doesn’t mean they’re required to be comfortable.

When it comes to your players’ comfort, it’s all about customization. Mass produced mouthguards that aren’t customized to the athlete’s individual mouth structure typically have a uniform thickness all the way around, making the guard bulky in areas where comfort is more important than protection. And when a mouthguard is uncomfortable, it inhibits your players’ ability to breathe and communicate.

With custom mouthguards, your players won’t just get the most protective mouthguard possible, but the most comfortable as well. And that comfort goes a long way, as a properly fitting mouthguard allows your players to speak and breathe clearly, as well as drink water without removing the mouthguard from their mouth.

3.5. Extras

But wait, there’s more…

As mouthguard technology continues to advance, mouthguards now offer much more than simple comfort and protection. They actually allow your players to express their personal identity with complete personalization, including different color options to match your team’s colors, logos, names and numbers. Players may even sport a pair of fangs like LeBron James!

Custom mouthguards even have the ability to enhance performance in various ways, such as increased oxygen intake for better balance and flexibility.

Of course, none of these features are required parts of a mouthguard, but they sure add value for your players.

What are you looking for in a mouthguard? Simple: protection, fit, comfort … and fun!