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Russell Kelly, DDS
Sports-related impacts account for a large share of dental and facial injuries seen in emergency rooms and dental offices. Even low-speed falls or incidental contact in non-contact sports can lead to chipped teeth, lacerated lips, or jaw injuries. A properly fitted mouthguard acts as a simple, passive barrier — absorbing and redistributing force that would otherwise be transferred directly to teeth, gums, and bone.
Beyond protecting teeth, mouthguards help reduce soft-tissue injuries to the cheeks, lips, and tongue by providing a smooth surface between oral tissues and the teeth. They also play a role in stabilizing the jaw in a way that can reduce the risk of certain types of jaw fractures and dislocations. For athletes at all levels — youth leagues through adult competition — wearing a mouthguard is one of the most effective preventative measures available.
For parents and patients deciding whether to use a mouthguard, the choice is straightforward: the device is noninvasive, easy to wear, and can prevent injuries that lead to complex dental procedures. When used consistently during practices and games, mouthguards protect not only smiles but also the athlete’s ability to train and compete without interruption.
There are three common categories of mouthguards you’ll encounter: ready-to-wear stock guards, boil-and-bite models, and dentist-made custom guards. Stock guards come preformed and are immediately usable, but because they’re not molded to an individual’s mouth they usually fit poorly and can interfere with breathing and speaking. Boil-and-bite guards improve fit by allowing a semi-custom molding process at home, but fit and protection still vary with how carefully the material is shaped.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated from impressions of a patient’s teeth and bite and are created in a dental laboratory or in-office mill. These devices offer the most precise fit, consistent thickness where protection is needed, and the greatest comfort during athletic activity. Because they conform to the mouth, custom guards are also less likely to shift and impede breathing or speech — an important consideration in fast-paced sports.
When choosing among options, patients should weigh fit, comfort, and intended use. For contact sports or for athletes with existing dental work or orthodontics, the additional protection and tailored fit of a custom guard can make a meaningful difference in both safety and wearability.
Custom mouthguards begin with a careful evaluation of the bite and dental anatomy. An accurate impression or digital scan captures tooth positions, alignment, and any restorations such as crowns or bridges. From there, the lab builds a guard with consistent material thickness at impact zones, while shaping contours to avoid pressure points that can cause irritation over time.
Comfort matters because athletes are more likely to wear a device that feels natural in the mouth. A tailored guard minimizes bulk, optimizes breathing, and helps maintain normal speech patterns during play. For young athletes in braces, a custom guard can be designed with extra room and reinforced areas to prevent brackets from causing additional injury if the face is struck.
Durability is another advantage: laboratory-grade materials and precise fabrication extend the useful life of a custom guard when cared for properly. This means fewer interruptions to training and less need for emergency adjustments or replacements mid-season.
Though mouthguards are essential for contact sports like football, hockey, and rugby, they also benefit participants in activities where falls or collisions are common — soccer, skateboarding, gymnastics, and mountain biking, for example. Young athletes are especially vulnerable because developing teeth, orthodontic appliances, and growing jaws require particular attention to protection.
Individuals with dental restorations such as crowns, implants, or bridges should consider a mouthguard as part of a protective strategy to preserve dental work from traumatic forces. Likewise, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment often need specialized guards to shield brackets and wires while maintaining effective protection for tooth enamel.
Coaches, parents, and athletes should view mouthguards as a standard piece of protective equipment, akin to helmets or shin guards. Preventing a single significant dental injury can avoid lengthy treatment, missed playing time, and long-term effects that compromise oral health and function.
Keeping a mouthguard clean and functional is straightforward: rinse it after use, brush gently with a soft brush and non-abrasive toothpaste or mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case away from high heat. Regular cleaning prevents bacterial buildup and helps the guard retain its shape and fit. Avoid leaving a mouthguard in direct sunlight, in a hot car, or near radiators, since heat can warp the material.
Inspect a mouthguard routinely for thinning, tears, or deformation, and replace it if any of these signs appear. Children and teens may outgrow a guard due to dental development, so more frequent replacement is common during growth periods or when orthodontic changes occur. Even well-made custom guards will eventually show wear and should be evaluated annually as part of routine dental visits.
If a guard becomes uncomfortable, alters the bite, or no longer seats securely on the teeth, patients should discontinue use and consult their dental provider. In many cases, an adjustment or a new custom fabrication will restore proper protection and comfort quickly.
At the office of Russell Kelly, DDS, our approach is to help patients choose the right mouthguard for their sport and individual needs, emphasizing fit, comfort, and reliable protection. If you have questions about which type of guard will work best for you or your child, or if you’d like to schedule a fitting, please contact us for more information.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Russell Kelly.
Request AppointmentRussell Kelly, DDS
Sports mouthguards act as a cushion between the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue, absorbing and spreading out the force of impacts that occur during physical activity. They help reduce the risk of chipped or knocked-out teeth, cut lips, and other soft tissue injuries common in contact sports. By covering the biting surfaces, they also help protect against jaw injuries from sudden impacts.
The main types are stock mouthguards, which come pre-formed and ready to wear; boil-and-bite mouthguards, which are softened in hot water and molded to the teeth at home; and custom mouthguards, which are professionally made from an impression of your teeth. Stock and boil-and-bite options are widely available and inexpensive but often fit loosely, while custom mouthguards offer a precise, comfortable fit. The differences in fit generally correspond to differences in comfort, protection, and ease of speaking or breathing while wearing them.
A custom mouthguard is made specifically for an athlete's mouth, which typically means a more secure fit, greater comfort, and less interference with breathing or speaking compared to store-bought options. A better fit also tends to mean the mouthguard stays in place during play, offering more reliable protection when it matters most. For athletes who play regularly or participate in higher-contact sports, this added comfort and protection can be especially valuable.
Yes, mouthguards can and should be used during orthodontic treatment, though special designs are often needed to accommodate braces and allow for planned tooth movement. Dentists can create or recommend mouthguards designed to fit over brackets and wires without restricting normal orthodontic progress. Athletes with orthodontic appliances should have their mouthguard evaluated periodically since tooth position may shift over the course of treatment.
Mouthguards are primarily designed to protect teeth and soft tissues, and while some research suggests they may help absorb certain impact forces, current evidence does not show that they reliably prevent concussions. Concussion risk is influenced by many factors related to head and brain movement that a mouthguard alone cannot fully address. Athletes should continue to follow sport-specific safety equipment guidelines and concussion protocols in addition to wearing a mouthguard.
After each use, a mouthguard should be rinsed with cool water or a mild soap solution and gently brushed to remove debris. It should be stored in a ventilated, rigid case to protect it from damage and allow it to dry, since keeping it in a closed, damp environment can encourage bacterial growth. Avoid exposing it to hot water or direct sunlight, which can distort its shape.
Most sports mouthguards should be replaced at least once a year, or sooner if it becomes worn, torn, or no longer fits properly. Growing children and teens may need replacements more frequently as their teeth and jaws develop. Regularly checking the fit and condition of the mouthguard helps ensure it continues to provide adequate protection.
Creating a custom mouthguard typically begins with the dentist taking a precise impression or digital scan of the patient's teeth. This mold is then used to fabricate a mouthguard in a dental lab, often with multiple layers of material tailored to the sport and the patient's needs. Once completed, the dentist checks the fit and makes any adjustments needed for comfort and function.
Multi-layered designs and materials such as ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA, are commonly used because they combine flexibility with shock-absorbing properties. Thicker, well-fitted custom guards generally provide more consistent protection than thin, loose-fitting stock versions. Your dentist can recommend material and thickness choices suited to your specific sport and level of contact.
Scheduling a mouthguard fitting is easy: simply contact Russell Kelly, DDS to set up an appointment, and the team will take the measurements needed to create a custom-fitted guard. They can also answer any questions about timing your fitting around your sports season. Reach out to the office today to get started.