Sports-related impacts can take a heavy toll on the mouth, face, and jaw. From collisions on the field to accidental strikes from balls, bats, or sticks, athletes of all ages face a real risk of dental injury. A thoughtfully chosen mouthguard is one of the most effective preventive measures available — it protects teeth and soft tissues, reduces the chance of jaw fractures, and can even lessen the risk of concussions by absorbing and dispersing force. Understanding how mouthguards differ and how to use them correctly makes a meaningful difference in safety and performance.
Any activity that involves contact, sudden stops, or projectiles carries some level of dental risk. While helmets and pads protect the head and body, the mouth often remains vulnerable. A properly fitted mouthguard cushions blows that would otherwise be transmitted to teeth, gums, lips, and the underlying bone. For younger athletes especially, protecting the developing dentition can prevent long-term consequences, including fractured or avulsed teeth and damage that may require extensive restorative care later on.
Beyond protecting individual teeth, mouthguards help safeguard the soft tissues inside the mouth. In high-impact moments, the tongue, cheeks, and lips can be driven against sharp tooth edges or hardware. A mouthguard provides a resilient barrier that reduces cuts and bruises, limiting pain and the need for emergency care. In many sports, wearing a mouthguard is also a recommended — and sometimes mandated — component of safe play.
Wearing a mouthguard can also support confidence on the field. Players who feel protected are often less distracted by fear of injury and can focus more fully on strategy and teamwork. Coaches and parents who prioritize mouthguard use help set a standard of safety that supports consistent, long-term participation in sport — an outcome that benefits both health and enjoyment of athletics.
Mouthguards generally fall into three categories: stock (ready-to-wear), boil-and-bite, and professionally fabricated custom guards. Stock mouthguards can be bought off the shelf and used immediately, though they often provide limited protection because they are not shaped to an individual mouth. Boil-and-bite options, softened in hot water and molded by the user, offer improved fit over stock varieties and are a common choice for recreational players seeking a balance between convenience and performance.
Custom mouthguards are made from impressions of the wearer’s teeth and are designed to fit precisely. Because they are tailored to an individual’s bite and oral anatomy, custom guards typically provide superior comfort, retention, and durability. They can be made from more advanced materials and constructed to maintain thickness and shock absorption where it matters most, making them the preferred choice for athletes in high-contact sports or those who play frequently.
When evaluating options, consider factors beyond initial convenience: retention during activity, ability to breathe and speak comfortably, compatibility with protective equipment (like helmets), and how the guard interacts with dental work. Even the best mouthguard will perform poorly if it shifts during play or restricts breathing. Choosing the right type is a practical decision that balances protection, comfort, and the specific demands of the sport.
Custom-fitted mouthguards are created from an accurate model of the athlete’s teeth and bite relationship. The process begins with a dental impression or digital scan, which is used to fabricate a guard that conforms precisely to the unique contours of the mouth. This close fit improves retention so the guard stays in place during vigorous movement and reduces the need for constant adjustment, which can be both distracting and unsafe during play.
Because they are handcrafted, custom guards allow for consistent thickness in critical areas to maximize shock absorption. They can be designed to accommodate breathing and speech needs and to integrate with orthodontic appliances when necessary. Many athletes find custom guards more comfortable and less intrusive than over-the-counter options, which leads to higher rates of regular use — an important factor in delivering real protection over time.
If you want a professionally fitted mouthguard, the team at Paparian Dental Associates can evaluate your needs and craft a solution tailored to your sport and oral anatomy. In our Salem, NH office we focus on precise fit and durable materials so that athletes can rely on their mouthguard during practice and competition. A custom approach also allows us to make adjustments over time as the athlete’s mouth changes.
Athletes who wear braces, retainers, or have extensive restorative work require special attention when it comes to mouth protection. Traditional over-the-counter guards may not accommodate brackets and wires comfortably and could even cause additional irritation. For people with orthodontic appliances, a properly designed guard minimizes the risk of soft-tissue damage and helps prevent appliances from contributing to injury during impact.
Similarly, individuals with crowns, bridges, or implants benefit from a mouthguard that takes those restorations into account to avoid undue stress. A custom-fitted device can be designed to distribute forces in a way that reduces the likelihood of damage to restorations and preserves oral function. Discussing your dental history with your provider ensures the guard is tailored to protect both natural teeth and dental work.
The type of sport also informs guard selection. Sliding, tackling, and stick-and-ball activities present different impact patterns, and a guard optimized for one sport may not perform as well in another. High-contact athletes or those who play multiple sports benefit most from a device that offers broad protection and dependable retention — another reason to consider a professionally made mouthguard for consistent safety across activities.
A mouthguard is only as effective as it is maintained. Rinsing the guard after each use, gently brushing it with a toothbrush (no toothpaste with abrasives), and storing it in a ventilated case helps keep it sanitary and extends its lifespan. Avoid exposing the guard to hot water or direct sunlight, which can warp the material and compromise fit. Routine maintenance protects both the device and the athlete’s oral health.
Regular inspection is important: small tears, thinning in high-stress areas, or persistent odors indicate that the guard may no longer provide reliable protection. Athletes and parents should establish a simple routine of checking the guard weekly and bringing any concerns to a dental professional. Proper storage between uses also prevents deformation and keeps the guard ready when practices or games begin.
Mouthguards do wear out. Replacement frequency depends on factors such as activity level, the type of material, and whether the athlete is undergoing dental changes (for example, children who are losing baby teeth or people completing orthodontic treatment). When in doubt, have a dental professional evaluate the guard’s condition to determine whether a new or adjusted device is recommended.
In summary, a well-chosen mouthguard is a practical investment in an athlete’s safety and long-term oral health. From selecting the right type to ensuring proper fit and maintenance, the steps you take before stepping onto the field help prevent preventable injuries and keep players focused on performance. If you have questions about the best mouthguard option for a specific sport or need a professional fitting, please contact us for more information.
Sports mouthguards reduce the risk of dental injuries by absorbing and dispersing forces that would otherwise be transmitted to teeth, gums and the jaw. They protect soft tissues inside the mouth from lacerations caused by accidental impacts with teeth or equipment. For young athletes, a properly fitted guard also helps protect developing dentition and can prevent injuries that require extensive restorative care later in life.
Beyond physical protection, consistent mouthguard use supports confidence and focus by reducing fear of injury during play. Coaches and parents who emphasize mouthguard use help establish safer habits that promote long-term participation in sport. In many organized activities, mouthguard use is recommended or required as part of standard safety protocols.
Mouthguards typically come in three main varieties: stock (ready-to-wear), boil-and-bite, and custom-fitted devices. Stock guards are inexpensive and immediately available but usually fit poorly and can interfere with breathing or speaking. Boil-and-bite guards soften in hot water and are molded by the user for improved fit, offering a common compromise between convenience and performance.
Custom-fitted mouthguards are made from impressions or digital scans of the athlete's teeth and deliver superior retention, comfort and shock absorption. They can be fabricated from advanced materials and designed with consistent thickness where impact protection is most needed. When choosing a guard, consider retention during activity, breathability, and compatibility with helmets or other protective equipment.
Custom-fitted mouthguards conform precisely to an athlete's bite and oral anatomy, which improves retention so the guard stays in place during vigorous movement. This precise fit reduces the need for constant adjustment and decreases the chance of the device shifting at critical moments. Custom guards are also designed to maintain adequate thickness in high-stress areas, maximizing shock absorption to protect teeth and the jaw.
Comfort and usability are additional benefits that encourage regular wear, an important factor in delivering real protection over time. Custom guards can be adapted to accommodate breathing, speech and orthodontic appliances, making them suitable for a wider range of athletes. For those who play frequently or participate in high-contact sports, a professionally made guard often provides the best balance of protection and practicality.
The fabrication process begins with an accurate representation of the athlete's teeth using either a dental impression or a digital intraoral scan. That model is used to create a guard that matches the unique contours of the mouth and the relationship between the upper and lower teeth. Skilled laboratory techniques and selection of appropriate materials allow technicians to control thickness and resilience where impact protection is most critical.
After fabrication, the device is checked in the mouth for retention, comfort and compatibility with any protective equipment or orthodontic appliances. Adjustments can be made to fine-tune fit and function, and the guard should be reevaluated periodically as the athlete's mouth changes. For athletes in Salem, NH, the team at Paparian Dental Associates can perform the fitting and follow-up evaluations to ensure optimal protection.
Athletes with braces, retainers or extensive restorative work need specially designed guards to avoid additional irritation and to protect both soft tissues and dental appliances. Over-the-counter guards often do not accommodate brackets and wires comfortably and may increase the risk of soft-tissue injury. Custom guards can be fabricated to fit over or around orthodontic hardware while minimizing pressure on brackets and reducing the chance of appliance displacement during impact.
For patients with crowns, bridges or implants, a professionally designed mouthguard distributes forces in a way that lowers the likelihood of damage to restorations. Discussing your dental history with a clinician helps ensure the guard is tailored to protect natural teeth and prosthetic work. Regular reassessment is important as orthodontic treatment progresses or as restorations are placed.
Good mouthguard hygiene starts with rinsing the device immediately after use and gently brushing it with a soft toothbrush and water. Avoid abrasive toothpaste, hot water or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, all of which can warp or damage the material. Storing the guard in a ventilated case between uses helps prevent bacterial growth and keeps the device ready for play.
Perform a routine inspection for tears, thinning or persistent odors and replace the guard if damage or deterioration is observed. Periodically bring the mouthguard to your dental provider for professional evaluation to confirm that fit and function remain appropriate. Proper care preserves both the device and the athlete's oral health.
The replacement frequency varies with activity level, material type and changes in the athlete's mouth, such as growth or orthodontic treatment. Children and adolescents often need new guards more frequently because their mouths change quickly as teeth erupt and jaws develop. High-frequency use and sports with repeated impacts can also accelerate wear and reduce protective effectiveness over time.
Weekly visual checks for signs of wear, thinning or small tears help identify when a guard may no longer offer reliable protection. If the device becomes misshapen, uncomfortable or shows structural damage, it should be replaced or adjusted promptly. When in doubt, consult your dental professional for an assessment and recommendation.
A well-fitting mouthguard should seat securely without constant conscious effort to keep it in place and should allow normal breathing and clear speech. It should not shift when the athlete moves, talk or exert themselves, and it should feel comfortable against the lips, cheeks and tongue. Excess bulk or areas that rub or cause sore spots indicate the need for adjustment or a different device.
Retention, ease of breathing and unobstructed speech are key performance indicators, and custom guards typically outperform over-the-counter options on these measures. If a guard consistently causes gagging or interferes with protective equipment, seek a professional evaluation for refitting or replacement. Small modifications can often resolve fit issues without replacing the entire device.
High-contact and multi-sport athletes face varied impact patterns and may benefit most from a robust, custom-fitted mouthguard that offers broad protection and dependable retention. A guard designed for consistent thickness in critical areas reduces transmitted forces and can help protect against dental trauma across multiple types of play. Compatibility with helmets, face shields and other protective equipment should also be verified to avoid interference during competition.
Multi-sport players who participate in both low- and high-contact activities may prefer a single high-performance guard that balances protection and comfort for different settings, or they may maintain separate guards tailored to specific sports. Regular reassessment is important when switching sports or equipment to ensure the guard continues to perform effectively. Consulting a dental professional helps match guard design to the athlete's activity profile and risk level.
Parents should consider a mouthguard as soon as their child begins participating in activities with a risk of facial impact, including many youth sports and recreational play. Because children's mouths grow and primary teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, the fit of a mouthguard can change rapidly and requires periodic evaluation. Ill-fitting guards can compromise protection and comfort, so close monitoring and timely replacement are necessary during growth phases.
For younger athletes, custom options can be designed to accommodate growth to some degree, but frequent reassessment remains essential. The dental team can recommend an appropriate schedule for evaluations and help determine when a new impression or device is needed. For families in the Salem area, Paparian Dental Associates can assess fit and provide guidance on timing and options based on the child's stage of dental development.
Our mission is simple: to deliver great oral health and the beautiful smile you deserve. We value your trust and are committed to exceeding your expectations with every solution we provide.
