Athletic Mouthguards in 2025

Playing sports is an excellent way to stay active and healthy.  Among the essential safety equipment, mouthguards often receive less attention than they deserve. Despite this -the role of athletic mouthguard is significant. At Valley Arts Dental we firmly believe a sports mouthguard offers children, teens, and adults the best way to protect their playing field, practice, and game-time smiles for those participating in contact sports. It's a recommendation based on actual statistics. Contact sports include Boxing, Basketball, Lacrosse, Martial Arts, Football, Hockey, Wrestling, and many other common sports.  According to recent estimates from the American Dental Association, up to 20% of all sports-related injuries are maxillofacial injuries.

What Are Sports Mouthguards?

Sports mouthguards are protective devices worn over the teeth to reduce the risk of dental and oral injuries during physical activities. They can be made from a variety of materials and are designed to absorb and distribute impact forces. 

Why Are Mouthguards Important?

1. Prevent Dental Injuries One of the primary functions of a mouthguard is to protect teeth from being chipped, broken, or knocked out. In sports where collisions or falls are common, the risk of dental injuries is high. A well-fitted mouthguard acts as a cushion, reducing the likelihood of damage to teeth.

2. Protect Soft Tissues Mouthguards not only shield the teeth but also help protect the soft tissues in the mouth, such as the cheeks, lips, and tongue. 

3. Reduce Risk of Jaw Injuries A mouthguard can help minimize the risk of jaw fractures or dislocations by absorbing and redistributing the force of an impact. This is particularly important in high-impact sports where sudden blows to the face or jaw are possible.

4. Concussion Prevention While mouthguards cannot entirely prevent concussions, there is mounting evidence that they may help reduce the severity of impacts that lead to brain injuries. By absorbing shock and stabilizing the jaw, mouthguards can mitigate the force transmitted to the skull during a collision.

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What Types of Sports Mouthguards Available?

1. Stock Mouthguards -  These are pre-formed and ready-to-wear mouthguards available in sports stores. While affordable, they often provide a poor fit and limited protection.

2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards -  Made from thermoplastic material, these mouthguards can be softened in hot water and molded to the shape of the wearer’s teeth. They offer a better fit than stock options and are widely used by athletes.

3. Custom-Fitted Mouthguards -  Custom-fitted mouthguards are designed by dental professionals to match the unique contours of an individual’s teeth. Though more expensive, they provide superior comfort, fit, and protection, making them ideal for serious athletes.

4. Smart Mouthguard -  The newest addition to the mouthguard market these are protective oral appliances can track physiology and biomechanics, providing athletes valuable performance-and-wellness data including heart rate, body movement and head impacts

   
   

   

   A Smart Mouthguard - The Newest Addition To The Athletic Mouthguard Scene

   
   

At Valley Arts Dental, we strive to help patients of all ages experience the benefits of healthy, beautiful smiles. We invite you to speak to any of our Livingston and West Orange doctors and skilled professional team to discuss the best options to preserve and protect your family's smiles.