Increasing trend of not wearing mouth guards in games

Protect your smile before the Season even starts

Grinding, clenching, or playing contact sports? A custom-fit Caspersmile mouthguard protects your teeth, reduces jaw stress, and fits comfortably.

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Why a mouth guard is actually so important

It protects more than just teeth

Most people think a mouth guard is just there to prevent a chipped tooth. And yes, it does that, but its job is bigger. Much bigger. A hit to the face doesn't just threaten enamel; it sends shock through your entire jaw. A good mouth guard acts like a cushion, absorbing and spreading that impact before it travels to places you don't want it to go.

It reduces jaw & TMJ stress

Your jaw joint (the TMJ) is delicate, more delicate than athletes realise. Sudden force from a tackle, fall, or accidental elbow can strain the joint or even shift it out of alignment. A mouth guard softens the blow, shielding the joint and reducing the chance of long-term jaw pain or clicking.

It lowers the risk of concussions

It's not a helmet, but it does help. When the jaw absorbs a hit without protection, force can travel upward toward the skull. By distributing that pressure, a mouth guard helps reduce the severity of that jolt, especially in sports with frequent face or jaw contact.

It prevents cuts, bites, and soft-tissue injuries

One of the most common sports injuries isn't broken teeth, it's accidental biting. Tongue cuts, inner-cheek tears, split lips… all painful, all preventable. A mouth guard keeps your teeth from slamming together and keeps soft tissue safely out of harm's way.

It helps maintain a healthy, stable bite

Impacts can shift teeth subtly over time. Even small shifts can affect how you chew, how your jaw closes, and how your smile looks. A mouth guard creates a protective buffer that keeps your bite stable, something young athletes especially need.

It saves you from long-term dental bills

There's no polite way to say it: dental injuries are expensive. One cracked tooth can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. A custom mouth guard is a fraction of those costs and prevents many of the injuries that lead to them.

Dental injuries are expensive. Prevention isn't.

Caspersmile custom mouthguards help shield your teeth, jaw, and wallet from impact.

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Which sports actually need mouth guards?

People often wonder why players don't wear mouth guards in football or even in the NFL when collisions are so intense. The truth is, many do, but not consistently, and that's where most injuries happen.

Hockey fans also ask: Do NHL players wear mouthguards, and are mouthguards mandatory in the NHL? In the NHL, they're strongly recommended but not fully required. College sports follow their own rules, too, and the college football mouthpiece rule varies by division, although most leagues do require a mouthguard.

Still, compliance isn't perfect, which is why people keep asking if mouthguards are required in college football and other major sports.

High-impact sports (mandatory or necessary):

Medium-impact (highly recommended):

You don't need a helmet-level collision to break a tooth. Most mouth injuries come from unexpected, low-contact hits: a teammate's shoulder, a fast-moving ball, a fall you didn't anticipate. If something can hit your face, accidentally or not, you need a mouth guard.

So… why are athletes skipping mouth guards?

This is where the trend becomes interesting. It's not laziness. It's not carelessness. It's practical reasons, the kind you only understand if you've spent time actually playing.

Let's break down the biggest reasons and what truly solves them.

Reason 1: “They're uncomfortable.”

This is the #1 complaint, and, frankly, the most valid.

A $10 boil-and-bite guard feels:

Players chew on them. Slide them around. Spit them out. They're technically “protection,” but realistically useless.

Solution: A custom mouthguard that actually fits.

Custom guards:

Comfort leads to consistency. And consistency leads to safety.

Reason 2: “I can't breathe or talk with it.”

Totally fair, but also outdated. Cheap mouth guards make breathing harder because they're thick where they shouldn't be. Communication becomes muffled. Play-calling becomes frustrating.

Solution: Low-profile custom designs.

Caspersmile guards are crafted so players can:

Most athletes forget they even have them in, which is exactly the point.

Reason 3: “It messes with my performance.”

This is mostly a psychological thing. If something feels awkward, athletes assume it affects performance.

Solution: Match style to sport and intensity.

Reason 4: “Store-bought ones are cheaper.”

Sure, upfront. But emergency dental work? That's a bill nobody forgets.

One crack in a molar, one fractured incisor, one TMJ injury… and you've already paid for 10 custom mouthguards.

Solution: Think long-term safety, not short-term savings.

Caspersmile guards use:

They're designed to last and protect, not to chew through in two practices.

Reason 5: “I forget it.”

This one's easy.

Solution: Create a habit loop.

Caspersmile custom guards come in a case you actually want to use, so they don't disappear into the laundry.

Why choosing a custom mouthguard matters more than ever

With the growing trend of athletes skipping mouth guards altogether, the focus shouldn't be on forcing compliance… but on making compliance easy. Custom mouthguards are the best mouthguards for sports. Here is why:

Avoid major issues by making one simple choice

The drop in mouthguard use is worrying, especially because it shouldn't be happening at all. The risks, broken teeth, jaw injuries, and long-term pain are so much bigger than the excuses players make in the moment.

Most of these problems are preventable, or at least far less likely, when athletes have the right protection. And honestly, better education and better gear make all the difference. Custom-fit options like Caspersmile mouthguards take away the discomfort, the bulk, the “I hate wearing these” feeling.

If athletes had access to something that actually fits and feels good, compliance wouldn't be the battle it is now. Protecting your smile, your bite, your season, it starts with one simple choice.

Frequently asked questions

Why do football players not wear mouthguards anymore? +

Mostly because generic guards feel bulky or uncomfortable. Some players think helmets offer enough protection, even though they don't protect the teeth or jaw.

Why do NBA players not wear mouthguards? +

Basketball isn't classified as a collision sport, so many skip it. Others find cheap guards hard to breathe or talk with.

Why does Steph Curry always chew on his mouth guard? +

It's part of his focus ritual. Chewing helps him stay calm, though he still wears the guard for protection.

What happens if you don't wear a mouthpiece in football? +

You risk broken teeth, jaw injuries, cuts, and higher-impact force to the TMJ. One hit can cause lasting damage.

Why are NFL players wearing two mouthguards? +

Some use a backup or combine guards for airflow and protection. It's more a preference than a rule.

Can a player still suffer a concussion if they are wearing headgear? +

Yes. Headgear reduces surface injury, not brain movement. Mouthguards may lessen jaw-impact force, but can't prevent concussions entirely.

Do you have to wear a mouthpiece in high school football? +

Yes. It's mandatory under safety rules.

Do all NFL players wear cups? +

No. Many find them restrictive and choose not to wear one.

Do mouth guards prevent concussions? +

Not completely. They don't stop concussions, but can reduce force from jaw impacts, which may lower severity.