Oral Health›Everyday care

Sports Mouthguards: Why They Matter and Which Type to Choose

A mouthguard cushions a knock to the face and helps protect your teeth, lips and jaw during sport. Here is which sports call for one, how the types compare, advice for children and braces, and what to do if a tooth is knocked out.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·7 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • A mouthguard absorbs and spreads the force of a knock to the face, helping to prevent broken or knocked-out teeth, cut lips and tongues, and jaw injuries.
  • Dental bodies in the UK, Australia and the US agree that a custom-fitted mouthguard made by a dentist gives the best protection.
  • They differ on shop-bought mouthguards. The American Dental Association says to wear one if you cannot afford a custom guard; the Oral Health Foundation (UK) does not recommend them.
  • Wear it for training as well as matches. Children's mouthguards need checking and replacing more often, because their mouths are still growing.
  • If an adult tooth is knocked out, act fast: put it back or keep it in milk or saliva, and see a dentist straight away.

The Better Health Channel (Victoria) says sport, leisure and recreation are the most common cause of dental injuries. The Australian Dental Association warns that these injuries can be expensive to treat and can need a lifetime of dental treatment.

How does a mouthguard protect you?

The Australian Dental Association explains that a mouthguard absorbs and spreads the impact of a knock to the face. Without one, the Oral Health Foundation says you are more likely to have broken, chipped or knocked-out teeth, injuries to your lips, tongue or cheeks, and jaw injuries.

Sports Medicine Australia says wearing a mouthguard can reduce the risk of dental injuries by more than half. The British Orthodontic Society says about a quarter of children in the UK will injure or lose a front tooth at some stage.

Concussion. Sources are not in step here. The Oral Health Foundation says mouthguards can help reduce the impact of a blow to the head. Sports Medicine Australia says it is unclear whether mouthguards prevent concussion, but that they are essential in sports where dental injuries are common.

Which sports need a mouthguard?

The Better Health Channel says any sport where contact with equipment, collision with other players or falling is possible carries a risk of dental injury. The sources name:

  • Contact and collision sports: rugby, Australian rules football, hockey, boxing and martial arts (Australian Dental Association, Oral Health Foundation).
  • Other team and ball sports: cricket, basketball, netball, soccer and squash (Australian Dental Association, healthdirect).
  • Wheel, board and adventure sports: off-road bike riding, skateboarding, rock climbing and trampolining (healthdirect).
  • Non-contact sports: the American Dental Association says injuries can happen in activities such as gymnastics and skating too.

The Australian Dental Association says a mouthguard is not warranted in low-risk activities such as swimming, athletics and rowing, and that a dentist should assess your need for one based on your sport and your teeth. The Better Health Channel lists higher-risk features: front teeth that stick out, lips that do not fully cover the front teeth, and wearing braces.

Wear it every time. The Australian Dental Association and the Better Health Channel say to wear a mouthguard at training as well as in games. The British Orthodontic Society says some dental insurance plans will not pay out for a contact-sport injury if a mouthguard was not worn.

What types of mouthguard are there?

Custom-fitted. A dentist takes a mould or scan of your teeth and a mouthguard is made to fit them (Australian Dental Association, Oral Health Foundation). The Better Health Channel says these give the best protection because of their close fit, comfort and cushioning. They cost the most, but it adds that an injury to the teeth or jaw costs far more. For some sports, such as boxing, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust says regulations require a custom-made mouthguard.

Boil-and-bite. These are softened in hot water, then bitten into so they take the shape of your teeth. The Australian Dental Association says this do-it-yourself fitting can leave some parts thinner than others, which affects protection. The Better Health Channel says they may not fit your bite and should be replaced each season.

Stock. These come ready to wear. The Better Health Channel says they are the cheapest but give the least protection and tend to fit poorly. The American Dental Association says they can be bulky and make breathing and talking difficult.

Where the sources disagree

All the sources agree that custom-fitted is best. They differ on shop-bought mouthguards:

  • The American Dental Association says that if you cannot afford a custom-made mouthguard, you should still wear a stock or boil-and-bite one.
  • The Australian Dental Association policy says over-the-counter mouthguards protect better than none, but their protection varies. The model club policy in the same document says they offer little or no protection and can come loose during play.
  • The Oral Health Foundation does not recommend them, saying they often fit poorly, can fall out, protect less and can be a choking risk.

The Better Health Channel and Sports Medicine Australia say a good mouthguard is snug but comfortable, lets you breathe, swallow and speak normally, and is about 4 mm thick.

Children and teenagers

The Australian Dental Association identifies children and teenagers as high-risk groups for mouth injuries. It says children with front teeth that stick out may be at higher risk and may benefit from an orthodontic assessment. See children's teeth.

The Better Health Channel advises replacing a child's mouthguard every 12 to 18 months, even if it looks fine.

Mouthguards and braces

The British Orthodontic Society advises wearing a mouthguard over a fixed brace. Advice on the type varies:

  • The British Orthodontic Society says ordinary mouthguards quickly stop fitting as the teeth move, and recommends types designed to fit over braces.
  • University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and the Australian Dental Association say a shop-bought mouthguard may be more practical or appropriate during brace treatment.
  • The Better Health Channel says a dentist can make a custom-fitted mouthguard to fit over braces.

The American Dental Association says not to wear a removable retainer during contact sports. Ask your orthodontist what suits you, and see braces and aligners. A sports mouthguard is different from the night guard used for grinding: see teeth grinding.

How do I look after a mouthguard?

The American Dental Association, the Better Health Channel and the British Orthodontic Society advise:

  • Rinse it before and after each use, or brush it with a toothbrush.
  • Wash it now and then in cool or warm (not hot) soapy water, and let it air-dry.
  • Store it in a firm case with air holes.
  • Keep it away from heat, including direct sunlight, hot water and a closed car, which can change its shape.
  • Take it to your dental check-ups so the fit can be checked.

Replace it if it is worn, damaged or no longer fits (American Dental Association, healthdirect). The Better Health Channel says an adult's mouthguard should be replaced after dental treatment or losing a tooth, and otherwise should last several years.

What if a tooth is knocked out?

Speed matters: healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association say it is best to see a dentist within 30 minutes. The NHS first-aid steps are:

  1. Hold the tooth by the white part (the crown). Do not touch the root.
  2. If it is dirty, rinse it gently in milk, saline or saliva.
  3. Try to put it back into the gum, and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it.
  4. Go to a dentist as soon as possible.

If it will not go back in, the NHS says to keep it in milk or saliva. The Australian Dental Association says not to put it in water or wrap it dry in a tissue. Never put a baby tooth back in: the NHS says it could damage the adult tooth underneath. See dental emergencies for more detail.

Get help urgently
  • Knocked-out adult tooth: the NHS says to ask for an emergency dental appointment, even if you cannot find the tooth. In the UK, call your dentist first; if you cannot get an emergency appointment, call 111. In Australia, healthdirect says to call a dentist urgently, ideally within 30 minutes, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
  • Call triple zero (000) or go to an emergency department after a mouth injury if the person has trouble breathing, talking or swallowing, there is a lot of blood going down their throat, or their mouth or tongue is very swollen (healthdirect).
When to see a dentist
  • After any knock to the mouth, even if your teeth look fine: healthdirect says you might not be able to see all the damage. The Australian Dental Association says a loose tooth may be cracked under the gum.
  • A tooth is chipped, cracked or loose after an injury (healthdirect).
  • Your mouthguard feels tight, loose or uncomfortable (Oral Health Foundation, Better Health Channel).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to wear a mouthguard at training?

Yes. The Australian Dental Association and the Better Health Channel say to wear it at training as well as in games.

Are shop-bought mouthguards good enough?

Sources differ. All agree a custom-fitted mouthguard is best. The American Dental Association says a shop-bought one is better than nothing if you cannot afford a custom guard, while the Oral Health Foundation does not recommend them.

Can I get a sports mouthguard on the NHS?

The NHS list of Band 3 treatments in England includes custom-made appliances but specifically excludes sports guards, so ask your dentist about the cost.

Sources

  1. Knocked-out tooth, NHS, accessed September 2026
  2. How much NHS dental treatment costs, NHS, accessed September 2026
  3. Sports mouthguards, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, accessed September 2026
  4. Mouthguards, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026
  5. Contact sports and mouthguards, British Orthodontic Society, accessed September 2026
  6. Sports mouthguards, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  7. Dental trauma, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  8. Policy Statement 2.2.5: Prevention and management of oral injuries, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  9. Mouthguards, Better Health Channel (Victoria), accessed September 2026
  10. Dental injury, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  11. Dental injuries, Sports Medicine Australia, accessed September 2026
  12. Mouthguards, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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