Sports Mouthguards for Kids — Protecting Your Young Athlete's Smile

A knocked-out front tooth is one of the most common — and most preventable — sports injuries in kids. Between Wylie's youth leagues and school teams, I see the aftermath every season, and almost always the child wasn't wearing a mouthguard. Here's how to protect that smile without slowing your athlete down.

Which Sports Need One?

Any sport with contact or a flying ball, stick, or fall: football, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, martial arts, and even skateboarding and biking. Basketball and soccer actually cause a surprising number of dental injuries precisely because kids don't expect the collisions. If there's a chance of a hit to the face, a guard belongs in the mouth.

Custom vs Store-Bought

A store guard is better than nothing, but the reason custom guards protect better is simple: kids actually wear them. Our custom guards are made from a digital scan for a precise fit, and can be made in team colors to encourage buy-in.

Care & Replacement

Rinse it after each use, brush it gently, and store it in a ventilated case — not a hot car or gym bag. Because kids' mouths are still growing (and teeth are still coming in), plan to have the fit checked each season and replace as needed. The same custom approach applies to a night guard if your child grinds their teeth.