11 Sports That Should Require a Mouthguard

Did you know that some reports have found that more than 35% of all accidental injuries to children and teens are during sports? If that wasn’t shocking enough, a whopping 5 million teeth are knocked out each year, and the majority are due to a sports-related event. So, it’s safe to say that your teeth need some protection! While implementing a solid oral hygiene routine and eating plenty of vitamin-rich foods are a great place to start, one of the best things you can do is wear a mouthguard. Keep reading to learn ten sports that require it (as well as a few that should).

11 Sports That Require a Mouthguard

The majority of contact sports require that athletes wear a mouthguard during games and at practice. However, the American Dental Association recommends wearing one whether you participate in a contact or non-contact sport. Their list includes but is not limited to:

• Acrobats
• American football
• Basketball
• Boxing
• Field hockey
• Gymnastics
• Rugby
• Skateboarding
• Skydiving
• Surfing
• Wrestling

While some of these sports require a mouthguard by their respective organizations, in others, this oral appliance is considered optional.

Why Wearing a Mouthguard Is Crucial

You wouldn’t step onto the football field without wearing your pads. You wouldn’t step onto your skateboard without wearing your helmet. You wouldn’t skydive without a parachute. So, you shouldn’t participate in sports without a mouthguard. This small dental appliance can make a big difference when it comes to protecting your teeth. After all, The National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety recently shared that dental injuries are the most common orofacial injury during sports. Furthermore, athletes are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth if they don’t wear a mouthguard. So, for the sake of your smile and your wallet, always wear a mouthguard!

Store-Bought vs. Custom: Which One Is Better?

There are one-size-fits-all mouthguards available at your local sporting goods store. While convenient, they aren’t as effective at protecting your teeth when compared to custom-made ones from your dentist. That’s because professional ones are crafted to fit your teeth and gums perfectly. Additionally, the thickness is adjusted based on your specific needs. For example, if you’re a boxer, then you’ll need more protection than someone who participates in a sport with much less contact, like baseball. Working directly with a dentist can ensure you get the protection you need for your situation.

Sustained a Dental Injury? Here’s What to Do Next

Dental injuries can be quite stressful, especially if you’re in a lot of pain. What should you do next? Where should you turn for help? The best thing to do is assess the damage. If you’re experiencing a potentially life-threatening symptom (like difficulty breathing or a fractured jaw) and need medical attention, then call 911 or head to the nearest ER. If you’ve knocked out a tooth, have a loose restoration, or have sustained another “straightforward” dental injury, then call your emergency dentist right away. If needed, they can provide first-aid instructions over the phone before guiding you through the next best steps.

Even if the sport you participate in doesn’t require you to wear a mouthguard, doing so anyway can save you from an emergency trip to your dentist’s office. After all, who wants their otherwise pleasant morning to turn into a stressful afternoon handling a knocked-out tooth, loose restoration, or the like? The good news is that something as simple as wearing your mouthguard during both games and practices can help prevent that from happening to you. For added measure, make sure to keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and getting a dental checkup and cleaning every six months!