Why Your Child Needs To Wear A Mouthguard

** Updated August 2025

You wouldn’t let your child travel in a car without wearing a seatbelt. You wouldn’t let them ride a bike without a helmet. And you probably wouldn’t let them go swimming without applying sunscreen. Yet, many children are not using mouthguards when playing sports, increasing the risk of damage to their teeth and facial structures. 

Even though mouthguards aren’t mandatory in many youth sports, parents play a crucial role in safeguarding their child’s oral health, both for now and in the future. Taking proactive steps today can prevent painful and costly injuries down the road.

What are mouthguards?

The American Dental Association defines a mouthguard as a “protective device designed to minimize the risk of dental injuries and other oral trauma during sports or physical activity.”

A mouthguard is worn inside the mouth and typically covers the upper teeth. It’s important that it’s customized to fit the person who will be wearing it, ensuring that all of the teeth and facial bones are properly protected. Mouthguards need to be comfortable to wear, made of FDA-approved material, easy to clean, and able to withstand high-impact forces. 

Pro tip: If you have any questions about mouthguards, be sure to talk to your child’s dentist or orthodontist. They will evaluate your child’s mouth and give recommendations based on their needs. 

Sports that should require the use of mouthguards

The American Dental Association recommends the use of mouthguards for the following sports:

Collision or combat sports:

Limited-contact or other sports:

Why children should wear mouthguards

Put simply, children should wear mouthguards to significantly lower the risk of jaw fractures, oral lacerations, and dental injuries, such as tooth trauma or loss, that can occur while playing sports. 

It’s estimated that 32 percent of all injuries of the teeth and face are sports related. This translates to millions of children across the United States. Mouthguards are a proven way to help keep your child from becoming a statistic.  

According to a study published in the research journal Frontiers in Medicine, “Mouthguards play a critical role in mitigating sports-related injuries to the oral and maxillofacial region by absorbing and distributing impact forces, thereby lessening the force transmitted to dental hard tissues, mandibular condyles, and articular disks.”

In other words, mouthguards help protect your child’s teeth and jaw by absorbing and spreading out the force from impacts during sports. This reduces the risk of broken teeth, jaw injuries, and perhaps even concussions.

Note: The effectiveness of mouthguards against concussions is not clear, however research suggests there may be a lower risk of concussion while wearing a mouthguard. 

Requiring your child to wear a mouthguard anytime they are participating in a sport, whether it’s practice or a game, is one of the best ways to protect their smile.

The impact of not wearing a mouthguard

While not all injuries are life-threatening, a traumatic dental injury can have a significant impact on your child’s quality of life. 

Unnecessary pain, the need for costly invasive treatment to fix damaged teeth or facial structures, and missing school or other activities are just some ways your child’s life could be impacted in the short-term. 

Traumatic dental injuries also have lasting effects, including discoloration of permanent teeth and enamel hypoplasia, a condition where tooth enamel doesn’t form properly. Beyond cosmetic concerns, dental trauma can increase the risk of other oral health issues such as tooth decay, tooth loss, abscesses, and difficulties with speech, chewing, and overall appearance.

The impact of having a dental injury doesn’t stop at the mouth. Research has found that dealing with a traumatic dental injury can have negative psychological impacts.

A study published in Dental Trauma and Adverse Oral Conditions - Practice and Management Techniques found that “Quality of life is negatively impacted and often children whose appearance is affected are reluctant to laugh or smile and if there is pain or a fracture then they are also unable to enjoy their food or even brush their teeth properly.”

If your child has experienced a dental injury, it’s essential to ensure they receive the care and emotional support they need, both during recovery and afterward. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact their pediatrician or dentist. They can guide you to the right resources and help your child heal with confidence.

Wearing a mouthguard protects your child’s overall health 

Even if your child resists at first, requiring them to wear a mouthguard during sports is one of the most effective ways you can protect them from serious dental and facial injuries. It’s a small step that can prevent broken teeth, jaw damage, and long-term oral health issues, keeping their smile safe while they play hard.