NCDS POSITION STATEMENT

Mouth Guard Use for Athletes

 The North Carolina Dental Society strongly recommends the use of mouth guards for male and female athletes in all sports, particularly football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse, field hockey and ice hockey.  The use of mouth guards has proven to reduce the severity of injury to the lips, teeth, cheeks and tongue.  There is also emerging evidence that mouth guards act as shock absorbers and may therefore lessen the severity of concussions as well as the chances of jaw fractures and other jaw injuries. 

For these reasons, the North Carolina Dental Society encourages coaches, parents, and trainers to recommend or even require the wearing of mouth guards for all athletes. 

Mouth guards, which range in quality and price, are available in three styles: Ready-made, mouth-formed “boil-and-bite”, and custom-made.  Dentists can recommend the proper mouth guard and, where needed, assist with proper fitting.  Athletes wearing orthodontic appliances should consult their orthodontist for a specially designed mouth guard.  Regardless of the type, mouth guards must be comfortable, durable, tear-resistant, and provide adequate cushioning for the mouth.  Eventually mouth guards wear out, so they must be replaced as needed.