You don’t need to be a professional athlete to risk dental injuries. Weekend football, basketball with friends, martial arts, skating or cycling can all end in a fall or collision. One unlucky hit to the face can chip, crack or completely knock out a tooth.
Sports mouthguards act like bumpers. They absorb some of the impact and spread the force so individual teeth and the jaw joint are less likely to take the full hit. They can also reduce cuts on the lips and cheeks caused by teeth during contact.
There are three main types:
- Ready-made “stock” guards: cheap but often bulky and uncomfortable.
- Boil-and-bite: softened in hot water, then moulded at home for a better fit.
- Custom-made: created by a dentist from an impression of your teeth for maximum comfort and protection.
For kids and teenagers with growing jaws and changing teeth, mouthguards may need periodic replacement, but that cost is still far lower than repairing broken teeth, root canals or implants after injury.
Even if your sport doesn’t formally require it, wearing a mouthguard is a smart move whenever there’s a real chance of impact. One habit can save a lot of pain, money and regret later.