Sports and active play offer physical, social, and mental benefits, but they also carry a risk of oral and facial injury. Collisions, falls, and impacts from balls, bats, sticks, or other equipment can lead to chipped or knocked-out teeth, lacerations to the lips and cheeks, and even fractures of the jaw. These injuries can be painful, disruptive to daily life, and in some cases, require complex dental or surgical treatment to restore function and appearance.
Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard is one of the most effective steps athletes can take to reduce the severity and frequency of these injuries. A mouthguard acts as a shock absorber, dispersing and minimizing forces that would otherwise be transmitted directly to teeth and soft tissues. For many players, consistent use of a mouthguard not only prevents acute trauma but also reduces the risk of long-term complications such as tooth loss and jaw joint problems.
Because each sport and athlete present different challenges—from high-impact contact sports to activities with occasional collisions—choosing the right type of mouth protection is important. Our team can explain which options best match your sport, position, and dental situation, and can help ensure that every athlete in your household has equipment that fits well and performs reliably.
There are three broad categories of sports mouthguards available: off-the-shelf stock models, boil-and-bite varieties, and custom-made devices created by a dental professional. Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and ready to wear but typically fit loosely and can interfere with speech and breathing. Boil-and-bite guards offer a somewhat improved fit by allowing you to soften and mold the material at home; they are a middle-ground option for casual athletes.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated from impressions of your teeth, giving them a tailored fit that balances comfort, retention, and protection. Because they are precisely adapted to your bite and anatomy, custom devices tend to be thinner yet more effective—reducing bulk while maintaining superior shock absorption. This makes them the preferred choice for athletes who need dependable protection without sacrificing comfort or performance.
While stock and boil-and-bite guards can provide a degree of protection in lower-risk situations, they are limited by fit and durability. A custom mouthguard, made and adjusted by a dental professional, offers predictable protection and long-term wearability—particularly for competitive athletes, individuals with unique dental work, or anyone seeking a guard that won’t distract from play.
Certain circumstances make a custom mouthguard the smarter option. Players with braces, bridges, implants, or unusually shaped teeth need appliances that account for these conditions to avoid irritation or dislodgement. Orthodontic hardware can create additional risk for soft-tissue injury, so a guard designed to accommodate braces both protects the teeth and cushions the surrounding tissues.
Athletes who participate in contact or collision sports, those in positions with a high likelihood of facial impacts, and competitors at higher levels of play generally benefit most from custom devices. Even recreational players can find value in a personalized guard if they’ve experienced dental trauma in the past or want increased comfort and performance. The improved fit helps athletes keep the guard in place, making them more likely to wear it consistently.
Young athletes also benefit from custom solutions because these guards can be adjusted or remade as their mouths grow and change. Regular dental checkups allow your provider to assess fit and function over time, ensuring protection keeps pace with developmental changes and any ongoing dental treatment.
The process of creating a custom mouthguard begins with a precise impression or digital scan of the teeth and bite. These records capture the exact contours of the dental arches and how the upper and lower teeth come together. From that foundation, a lab fabricates the mouthguard using durable, medical-grade materials chosen for their shock-absorbing properties and resilience under repetitive impact.
Laboratory techniques allow for controlled thickness and multiple layers in strategic areas to maximize protection while keeping the guard lightweight and slim. When the device returns from the lab, your dental professional evaluates the fit, makes any minor adjustments, and checks that breathing, speech, and comfort are acceptable. Because custom guards are made to order, they typically offer superior retention and reduce the need for constant repositioning during activity.
Beyond initial fitting, follow-up appointments ensure the guard continues to fit as intended. Adjustments are often quick and straightforward. If the athlete undergoes significant dental work or orthodontic treatment, a new guard may be recommended to maintain optimal protection and comfort.
To extend the life and effectiveness of a sports mouthguard, daily care is simple but important. Rinse the guard with cool water after each use, brush it gently with a toothbrush and mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case to keep it clean and dry. Avoid exposing the guard to high heat—such as leaving it in direct sunlight or in a hot car—as that can warp the material and degrade the fit.
Regular inspection helps you spot signs of wear: thinning, cracks, or distortion indicate a need for replacement. Even the best-fitted guards won’t last forever; depending on frequency of use and the level of contact in the sport, periodic replacement ensures continued protection. Make wearing the mouthguard part of the athlete’s routine—keeping it with the rest of the gear and getting used to wearing it during practice as well as games.
When selecting a guard, consider sport-specific preferences: some sports tolerate slightly bulkier designs for extra cushioning, while others benefit from a low-profile, performance-focused guard to preserve breathing and communication. Your dentist can recommend the best balance between protection and practicality for the sports you or your family members play.
Effective mouth protection is one of the simplest, most reliable ways to prevent painful and costly dental injuries in sports. The right mouthguard reduces impact forces, safeguards soft tissues, and supports long-term oral health—allowing athletes to focus on their game rather than potential accidents. Prioritizing fit and quality increases wear-time and improves the level of protection an athlete actually receives.
At the office of Dr. Aaron Tropmann & Dr. Gary Oyster, we provide guidance on choosing the appropriate type of mouthguard and offer custom fabrication for athletes who want the best fit and protection. Our team can evaluate your individual needs, explain the fabrication process, and ensure the appliance works comfortably with any existing dental treatment.
If you’d like to learn more about sports mouthguards or arrange an evaluation to determine the best option for you or a family member, please contact us for more information.
Mouthguards fall into three main categories: stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-made devices. Stock guards are pre-formed and ready to wear but often provide a loose, bulky fit that can interfere with speech and breathing. Boil-and-bite guards allow a user to soften and mold the material at home for an improved fit compared with stock models.
Custom mouthguards are made from impressions or digital scans of the teeth and offer the most precise fit and retention. Because custom devices are tailored to the athlete's bite and anatomy, they tend to be thinner while maintaining excellent shock absorption. Choosing the right type depends on the sport, the athlete's level of play, and any existing dental conditions.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated in a dental laboratory from exact impressions or scans of the teeth, which produces a personalized fit that balances comfort, retention, and protection. Boil-and-bite guards improve on stock models by allowing basic molding at home, but they cannot match the precision of a device made to your dental anatomy. Stock guards are the least adaptable and are typically the bulkiest option.
The personalized fit of a custom guard reduces movement during play and lowers the chance of soft-tissue injury, making it easier to breathe and communicate. Laboratory fabrication also permits controlled layering and thickness in key areas, which enhances shock absorption without excessive bulk. For athletes who need reliable performance, custom guards usually provide the best combination of comfort and protection.
A custom mouthguard is especially beneficial for athletes who play contact or collision sports, competitors at higher levels, and anyone who has experienced dental trauma in the past. Players with dental restorations, implants, bridges, or unusual tooth anatomy often need a tailored device to prevent irritation or dislodgement. Orthodontic patients also benefit because a custom guard can be designed to fit around braces and reduce soft-tissue injury.
Young athletes whose mouths are still developing may require periodic adjustments or new guards as they grow, and a dental professional can monitor fit over time. Recreational players who want superior comfort and retention may also prefer a custom guard to increase the likelihood of consistent use. Ultimately, individual risk factors and performance needs should guide the decision.
The process begins with a thorough dental evaluation followed by an impression or a digital scan of the teeth and bite to capture exact anatomy. Those records are sent to a dental laboratory, where technicians fabricate the mouthguard from medical-grade materials, controlling thickness and layering to optimize protection. When the device returns from the lab, the dentist checks fit, makes minor adjustments, and verifies that breathing, speech, and comfort are acceptable.
Follow-up appointments allow the provider to fine-tune retention and address any rubbing or pressure points. If the athlete undergoes orthodontic treatment or significant dental work, a new guard may be recommended to ensure continued protection. Proper fit from the outset improves wear time and reduces the need for constant repositioning during activity.
Daily cleaning is simple and helps prevent bacteria and odors: rinse the mouthguard with cool water after use and brush it gently with a toothbrush and mild soap. Avoid using hot water, which can warp thermoplastic materials, and do not expose the guard to direct sunlight or high heat. After cleaning, store the mouthguard in a ventilated case to keep it dry and protected between uses.
Inspect the device regularly for signs of wear such as thinning, cracks, or distortion, and replace it when damage appears. If an athlete shares gear, make sure each player uses only their own mouthguard to reduce cross-contamination. Routine dental checkups provide an opportunity for your dentist to examine the guard and recommend replacement or repairs as needed.
Look for visible signs of wear such as thinning, tears, cracks, or changes in shape that affect fit and retention. If the guard no longer seats securely, causes discomfort, or interferes with breathing and speech, it should be replaced even if it appears intact. Regular inspection after practices and games helps catch degradation early.
Changes in dental status, including new restorations, orthodontic adjustments, or growth in young athletes, are also reasons to obtain a new guard. Frequency of replacement depends on how often the guard is used and the level of contact in the sport, so consult your dental professional for personalized guidance. Timely replacement maintains protective function and reduces the risk of injury.
Mouthguards are effective at protecting teeth and soft tissues by absorbing and dispersing impact forces, but current evidence does not support a definitive claim that they prevent concussions. Concussions involve complex brain movement within the skull, and protection against that type of injury requires more than dental appliances alone. While a well-fitted mouthguard can reduce some transmission of force through the jaw, it should not be relied upon as the sole means of concussion prevention.
Concussion risk is best reduced through sport-specific safety measures, proper technique, use of appropriate helmets and protective equipment, and adherence to rules designed to minimize head impacts. Athletes, coaches, and parents should follow return-to-play protocols and seek prompt medical evaluation for any suspected head injury. A mouthguard remains a valuable component of a broader injury-prevention strategy focused on oral and facial protection.
Yes. Athletes with braces, wires, or other dental appliances have a higher risk of soft-tissue injury, and a mouthguard designed to accommodate orthodontic hardware can cushion the mouth and reduce damage. Custom guards can be fabricated with space to fit over braces or can be remade as orthodontic treatment progresses to maintain comfort and protection. For restorations, implants, or bridges, a tailored guard prevents excessive pressure on vulnerable restorations and helps keep them secure during activity.
Your dental professional can recommend the best design and materials to protect both the appliances and the surrounding tissues. In many cases, a custom guard is the preferred option because it can be adjusted precisely to avoid contact with brackets or restorations. Regular follow-up ensures the guard continues to perform as dental treatment changes.
Comfort and retention are crucial factors for children, since a guard that is uncomfortable or difficult to wear will likely be left out during play. Look for a device that fits well, allows comfortable breathing and communication, and is durable enough for the child’s level of activity. If the child is undergoing orthodontic treatment, choose a guard that can be adjusted or remade as their mouth changes.
Teach children to clean and store their mouthguard properly, and include the guard in their regular sports routine so wearing becomes habitual. Have the dentist check fit at routine visits and replace the guard when growth or wear affects performance. Selecting an appropriately sized, well-fitting guard increases the chances it will be used consistently and effectively.
To arrange a custom mouthguard evaluation, contact the office of Dr. Aaron Tropmann & Dr. Gary Oyster and schedule an appointment with the dental team to assess your needs and take impressions or a digital scan. During the visit, your clinician will discuss sport-specific requirements, any dental considerations, and the recommended guard design to balance protection and comfort. The laboratory will fabricate the device to those specifications, and the office will complete final adjustments when the guard returns.
Follow-up appointments ensure the guard fits well during activity and continues to work properly as dental conditions change. Our staff can advise on cleaning, storage, and replacement intervals so the appliance remains effective over time. We proudly serve the Raleigh-Durham area and can answer any questions about selecting the best protection for athletes in your family.
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