Do Wrestlers Need Mouthguards?

Choosing the Right Protection for Your Child

When your child starts wrestling, it's natural to have questions about safety gear, especially mouthguards. Parents often wonder if mouthguards are necessary for wrestling, and if so, which type offers the best protection and comfort. Wrestling involves intense physical contact, and accidental impacts can happen even though striking or intentional blows aren’t permitted. Understanding the role of mouthguards in wrestling can help you decide what's best for your child's safety.

In wrestling, mouthguards are sometimes recommended and not always required. While many youth and scholastic wrestling leagues do not mandate mouthguards, the use of one is can be encouraged by coaches, trainers, and experienced wrestlers, especially if you have braces. Mouthguards help prevent injuries to the teeth, gums, tongue, and jaw, making them a valuable part of your child's wrestling gear.

Why Consider Using a Mouthguard for Wrestling?

Even though wrestling doesn’t involve intentional striking like boxing or martial arts, unintentional contact with the mouth area can occur frequently. Wrestlers sometimes collide heads or elbows during scrambles, takedowns, or escapes. Additionally, wrestling moves that involve throws or sudden changes in position can cause accidental contact between an opponent’s knee or head and your child’s mouth.

A mouthguard serves as a shock absorber, significantly reducing the risk of oral injuries. Common wrestling-related injuries include chipped or knocked-out teeth, cuts to the lips and gums, and damage to the tongue. A properly fitted mouthguard provides a layer of protection that can save your child from potentially painful and costly injuries.

Beyond oral protection, mouthguards also cushion the impact to the jaw during accidental collisions, helping prevent more severe injuries such as concussions. While mouthguards alone do not entirely prevent concussions, they can lessen the force of impacts and lower the risk of jaw injuries associated with head trauma.

What Type of Mouthguard Is Best for Wrestling?

When selecting a mouthguard, parents typically have three main options: stock mouthguards, boil-and-bite mouthguards, and custom-made mouthguards. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one depends on comfort, cost, and level of protection desired.

1. Stock Mouthguards

Stock mouthguards are pre-formed, inexpensive options you can purchase at most sporting goods stores. These mouthguards come ready to use but cannot be adjusted or customized. While affordable and convenient, stock mouthguards typically fit poorly, making it challenging to breathe or speak clearly during matches. Due to their uncomfortable fit, wrestlers often don’t prefer these mouthguards, and coaches usually recommend more customized options.

2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are the most popular option among wrestlers and athletes in general. These mouthguards can be softened by placing them in hot water and then molded directly to your child's teeth, providing a personalized fit. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are affordable, comfortable, and offer significantly better protection and comfort than stock mouthguards.

This type of mouthguard is widely available at sporting goods stores and pharmacies, usually costing only slightly more than stock mouthguards. Because they are easily customized at home, boil-and-bite mouthguards are the best choice for most youth and high school wrestlers.

3. Custom-Fitted Mouthguards

Custom mouthguards, provided by a dentist, offer the highest level of protection and comfort. They are made using impressions of your child's teeth, ensuring a perfect fit. This personalized fit allows for easy breathing and clear speaking, crucial for effective communication with coaches and teammates during competition.

Although custom mouthguards provide excellent protection and comfort, they can be considerably more expensive, usually costing significantly more than boil-and-bite options. For wrestlers with braces or those at a higher risk of oral injury, a custom mouthguard is often recommended as the best solution.

Mouthguards for Wrestlers with Braces

If your child wears braces, mouthguards are especially important. Braces increase the risk of cuts and injuries inside the mouth during collisions or accidental contact. In these cases, a specialized mouthguard designed explicitly for braces is recommended. These mouthguards offer extra cushioning to protect both your child’s teeth and braces, preventing damage and costly repairs.

Orthodontists often offer custom-fitted mouthguards designed for athletes with braces. Alternatively, boil-and-bite mouthguards specifically designed for braces users are available at sporting goods stores. Regardless of the option chosen, proper mouth protection is essential for wrestlers wearing braces.

How to Properly Care for a Mouthguard

Once your child has a mouthguard, keeping it clean and hygienic is essential. After each use, wash the mouthguard thoroughly with cold water and mild soap, or use a specialized mouthguard cleaning solution. Avoid hot water, as this can warp the shape, ruining the custom fit. Allow the mouthguard to air dry completely before placing it into a protective storage case.

Regularly inspect your child's mouthguard for signs of wear or damage, such as tearing, thinning, or poor fit. Replace the mouthguard promptly if it no longer fits properly or shows signs of damage.

Mouthguards for Wrestlers

While not always required by wrestling leagues or competitions, mouthguards are can be recommended for wrestlers of all ages. Wrestling involves physical intensity and accidental contact that can cause oral injuries or jaw trauma. Investing in a quality mouthguard is a wise choice to protect your child's health and safety on the mat.

A comfortable, properly fitted mouthguard not only provides essential protection but also gives wrestlers confidence, allowing them to compete fully without worrying about potential injuries. Whether choosing an affordable boil-and-bite model or investing in a custom-made mouthguard from a dentist, providing your child with proper oral protection is an important part of supporting their wrestling journey.

Ultimately, choosing a mouthguard is about keeping your wrestler safe, confident, and able to fully enjoy the sport, knowing they have protection against accidental injuries.