The football mouthguard is an essential piece of equipment. With all that we have been learning about head injuries, especially in football, having the best mouthguard is optimal. They help to prevent teeth from rattling and banging into each other, both of which can lead to concussions.
What you may not have known is that there is more to buying a football mouthguard than you may have realized. Let’s take a deeper look at the various mouthguards that you can choose from when it comes to football.
The Different Types of Mouthguards
While there are some standard mouthguards (more on that below), there are many different kinds of mouthguards to consider for your football mouthguard. A mouthguard for braces, a football mouthguard with a connected strap, the binky mouthguard, a lip protector mouthguard, and even a custom mouthguard. Let’s get into each of them.
Standard fit
There is a standard fit mouthguard. These are the ones that you can find in just about any sporting goods store. For the most part, these are also known as “boil and wear” mouthguards. By boiling them, you soften the plastic so that it conforms to your teeth.
These can be a good option and even offer a cost-effective means of protection. That said, it is not uncommon to find that none of the standard fit options quite fit. If your mouthguard doesn’t fit comfortably, it will not be able to do its job. This means that you may have to check out one of the other options available.
Binky
The binky mouthguard is one of the most popular options there is. Partially because it acts as a protection from everything mentioned above, but for a number of other reasons too. For starters, it is a football mouthguard with a connected strap, so you never have to worry about losing it.
Moreover, the binky mouthguard comes with a large piece that goes over your mouth. You get additional lip and mouth support from even the most violent of collisions. It isn’t quite the same as a lip protector mouthguard, but it is a great combination of several different mouthguard types.
The binky mouthguard is one of the most popular mouthguard types out there. But things can get even more specific and customized if you really want them to.
Spinner
One of the most common complaints about mouthguards is that they can make breathing effectively difficult. If you ever wonder why some players seemingly always have their mouthguards out, it likely has to do with their breathing.
The spinner mouthguard is meant to help with that. It has a slot, covered by the spinner, that allows for superior airflow. If you’ve had issues with wearing a mouthguard because you can’t really breathe with it in, the spinner mouthguard is the best solution.
The spinners are also highly customizable, adding a level of fashion to your football mouthguard. Don’t overlook your mouthpiece and assume it is an expendable piece of equipment. It can help you out in more ways than you know.
Braces fit
With as many high school and college athletes as there are out there, it stands to reason that there are plenty of them who sport braces. Depending on the type of braces, that can create a problem when it comes to finding a good football mouthguard to wear. But there is good news.
There are braces mouthguards available that can fit comfortably over most braces. A mouthguard for braces will keep the player protected without tangling up or compromising their braces. Braces are an expensive investment and choosing the best mouthguard for braces is ideal and crucial for protection.
Lip protector
Some mouthguards simply go over the top row of teeth and that’s all it protects. When you have a collision that impacts the face, it is possible for your lips to catch the worst of it. But a lip protector mouthguard will ensure that your entire mouth remains properly protected.
In a high-contact sport like football, every bit of protection is necessary. Choosing a mouthpiece that will protect your teeth and lips, while reducing the shock that can lead to head injuries, is a must. With so many different fits and types available, there is a great mouthguard out there for you.
Custom fit
When none of the above will quite do, there is nothing like a custom fit. Working with a manufacturer to create the optimal football mouthguard may be needed to achieve your custom fit goals. The proper mouthpiece is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all deal.
A custom fit mouthguard will allow you to find the optimal level of comfort so that you can focus on the action and not on your football mouthguard.
Find the best football mouthguard for you and get back in the game.
