Every year, kids and adults show up to emergency dental visits with a chipped front tooth, a knocked-out tooth, or a split lip from a sports collision that a small piece of protective equipment could have prevented. Mouthguards are one of the simplest tools in sports safety, yet they are one of the most skipped.
At Smiles for Life Family Dentistry, we see the aftermath of avoidable sports injuries play out more often than we would like. We want every athlete in our care, from weekend soccer players to competitive wrestlers, to understand exactly how a properly fitted mouthguard protects their smile and why the right choice matters.
What Mouthguards Actually Prevent
A mouthguard works by cushioning the teeth and jaw against sudden impact, whether that impact comes from a stray elbow in basketball, a fall on the rink, or a ball to the face in lacrosse. The device absorbs and spreads out the force of a blow instead of letting it concentrate directly on a tooth or the jawbone.
The American Dental Association reports that mouthguard users face a substantially lower risk of dentofacial injury than non-users, with some research showing non-users are far more likely to suffer a dental injury during contact sports. The ADA also notes that dental trauma affects athletes across nearly every sport, not just the obvious collision sports like football and hockey. Basketball, baseball, and even skateboarding all carry real risk to the teeth and mouth.
Beyond the Teeth
A mouthguard does more than shield enamel. It also cushions the lips, cheeks, and tongue from being cut against the teeth during a hit, and it can reduce the force that travels through the jaw. For younger athletes whose adult teeth are still settling into place, that extra buffer matters even more.
Not All Mouthguards Offer the Same Protection
Walk into any sporting goods store and you will find a wall of mouthguards ranging from a few dollars to well over one hundred. The price difference usually comes down to fit, and fit is the single biggest factor in how well a mouthguard performs. We generally see athletes choose between a few main types of protection, each with tradeoffs that are worth understanding before the next practice or game.
Here are the main types of mouthguards for comparison:
- Stock guards: These are preformed and ready to wear out of the box, but they are bulky, loose fitting, and often uncomfortable enough that athletes stop wearing them.
- Boil and bite guards: Softened in hot water and shaped to the mouth at home, these offer a better fit than stock guards at a moderate price.
- Custom fitted guards: Made from an impression of your own teeth, these guards provide the most secure fit, the clearest speech, and the most reliable protection over a full season.
Whichever type an athlete starts with, the guard only works if it stays in the mouth during play. A custom fit from our office removes the guesswork and gives parents and athletes confidence that it will actually get used, providing protective peace of mind for every sport.
When a Custom Mouthguard Makes Sense
Athletes who play contact sports regularly, wear braces, or have had a previous dental injury tend to benefit most from a custom mouthguard. Braces in particular raise the stakes, since a poorly fitted store-bought guard can catch on brackets and wires during an impact and cause additional damage.
We take impressions right in our Spring Valley office and work with you to make sure the finished guard fits comfortably enough to wear for an entire practice or game without needing constant adjustment. Families who want to explore nightguards for teeth grinding at the same visit often find it convenient to handle both needs together, since the fitting process is similar for each device.
Caring for a Mouthguard Between Games
A mouthguard only protects a smile if it stays in good condition. Rinsing it after every use, storing it in a ventilated case, and keeping it out of direct sunlight and hot cars will help keep the material from warping or breaking down early. You should also check your guard regularly for tears or thinning spots, since a worn-out guard loses much of its cushioning ability.
Growing athletes will also need a new mouthguard as their teeth shift or new teeth come in, which is another reason a relationship with a dental office pays off over time. If an injury does happen despite a properly worn guard, prompt attention matters. Our oral surgery team is equipped to handle traumatic dental injuries when they occur, and early treatment often makes the difference in saving a damaged tooth.
Protecting Smiles With Smiles for Life Family Dentistry
Dr. John M. Quinn and our team at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry want every athlete in Spring Valley and the surrounding Las Vegas area to step onto the field, court, or rink with a mouthguard that actually fits. We take the time to explain the options, answer questions from parents and young athletes alike, and make the fitting process as simple as possible alongside routine visits like dental sealants and other preventive care.
Whether your family is just starting a new sports season or replacing a mouthguard that has seen better days, our team is ready to help you find the right fit. Reach out through our contact form to schedule a fitting and give your athlete one more layer of protection this season to help them stay in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Mouthguards
Do mouthguards really prevent dental injuries?
Yes. The American Dental Association reports that mouthguard users face a substantially lower risk of dentofacial injury than non-users. A properly fitted guard cushions the teeth, lips, and jaw and spreads out the force of a blow, which can help prevent chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth during sports.
What type of mouthguard offers the best protection?
Fit is the biggest factor in how well a mouthguard works. Stock and boil-and-bite guards can help, but a custom-fitted guard made from an impression of your own teeth generally provides the most secure fit, the clearest speech, and the most reliable protection over a full season.
Can I wear a mouthguard with braces?
Athletes with braces benefit especially from a mouthguard, but a poorly fitted store-bought guard can catch on brackets and wires during impact and cause extra damage. A custom guard can be designed to protect both the teeth and the orthodontic hardware, so it is often the safer option for anyone in braces.
How do I clean and store a mouthguard?
Rinse the guard after every use, let it dry, and store it in a ventilated case away from direct sunlight and hot cars, which can warp the material. Check it regularly for tears or thinning spots, and replace it when it shows wear, since a worn guard loses much of its cushioning ability.
Do kids need mouthguards for non-contact sports?
Often, yes. Dental trauma affects athletes across nearly every sport, not just collision sports. Activities like basketball, baseball, and skateboarding still carry real risk of a fall or an accidental hit to the mouth, so a mouthguard can be a smart precaution for many young athletes.
General Dentist — Smiles for Life Family Dentistry, Las Vegas, NV
Dr. Quinn grew up in Las Vegas and completed his undergraduate studies at UNLV, where he majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. He is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality dental care to the Las Vegas community.
