Whether it’s a youth league scrimmage or a heated NFL championship, if you’re watching a football game, there’s a high chance the players will be sporting different types of football mouthguards.
With all their protective gear, you might be wondering, “Why do football players wear mouthguards?” Their presence is so common at all levels of the sport today that it’s just seen as a given. But where did mouthguards actually come from, how have they evolved over the years, and most importantly—why is it so crucial that athletes wear them while playing?
In this post, we’re diving deep to explain the history of football mouthguards as well as their functional (and aesthetic) importance to the sport. If you’re a curious fan of football, an aspiring player, or a parent who wants to keep their young athlete safe, this guide is for you.
The Importance of Mouthguards in Football
Let’s face it—American football is a tough sport.
We all know that escaping game day without taking at least a few scrapes and bruises home as trophies might be impossible. But that doesn’t mean athletes can’t take smart steps to decrease their risk of sustaining serious injuries—and mouthguards are an essential part of player safety.
In fact, mouthguards are a required—not suggested—piece of protective gear for many contact sports.
That’s because they help prevent injuries to the mouth that could result in severe and costly dental issues.1
In addition, some research suggests that this gear could even play a role in reducing an athlete’s risk of suffering a concussion.2
With the key health benefits they bring to the table, mouthguards are a simple yet effective solution for shielding one of the most vulnerable areas of the body while you play a rough contact sport like football.
Protecting Against Dental Injuries
Once your adult teeth grow in, you’ve only got that one set for the rest of your life—and it’s important to keep them in top shape.
The last thing you want to do is lose a precious tooth to one unfortunate football tackle, and that’s exactly why mouthguards were invented.
This small but mighty piece of safety equipment forms an extra protective layer over your teeth, acting as a shield that protects your mouth in the event that your face is struck during play.
In addition to your teeth, the soft tissue that makes up your mouth also needs to be protected when playing a rough contact sport like football. Mouthguards play a key role in cushioning your3:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Jaw
In the grand scheme of things, mouthguards are a tiny investment in your protection and well-being—but despite their modest size, they make a big difference.
Here are just a few of the consequences that can come as a result of the dental injuries that happen when athletes choose not to wear a mouthguard:
- Aesthetic concerns – Losing a tooth or two, especially the ones located in the front of the mouth, is never fun. Such a drastic change in one’s usual appearance can be hard to hide, causing the injured athlete to feel embarrassed while talking or smiling.
- Loss of functionality – Daily activities as crucial as eating food and drinking liquids can become a challenge when damage has been done to the dental area. You don’t realize how much your teeth really do for you until they’ve been damaged.
- Medical bills – Mouthguards pay for themselves many times over when you compare their cost to the fees that a potential sports injury could leave you saddled with. To get a dental implant, abutment, crown, or other similar procedure in the US in 2024, you could end up paying around $3,000-$6,000.4 Meanwhile, a typical mouthguard will run you for less than $30.
Reducing the Risk of Concussions
Some research shows promising evidence that mouthguards may have the potential to help prevent sports-related concussions.5
Experts believe that this equipment may be able to discourage concussions due to the shock absorption capabilities offered by mouthguards.5
Since concussions can be caused by forceful collisions on the football field, any additional defense that helps cushion this impact may assist in protecting an athlete. For this reason, some scientists theorize that mouthguards might reduce the risk of concussions in contact sports.
That being said, research into this theory is not yet conclusive, and it’s always essential to supplement a mouthguard with heavy-duty protective headgear such as a padded helmet when playing contact sports.
The Evolution of Mouthguards in Football
The mouthguards of today don’t look the same as they did in decades gone by. Like all football equipment, this gear just keeps on getting better and more advanced with time.
From Basic to Custom Designs
The earliest models of mouthguards were worn not by football players but by boxers around the turn of the 20th century.6 They started out as simple designs made from modest materials like cotton, tape, sponge, and wood that only worked when athletes actively clenched their teeth down on the device.
These primitive mouthguards would eventually evolve into more sophisticated pieces of gear (made from components that are much higher in quality).
Today, modern innovations allow athletes to invest in custom-fit mouthguards—making for a snugger, more effective, and overall safer wear.
Technological Advancements
Mouthguard designs of the past were definitely lacking in the comfort and safety departments. After all, nobody wants to wear a one-size-fits-all mouthguard or a model that only works when your teeth are constantly clenched.
But thankfully, the technology used to craft this staple of football gear has become much more sophisticated over time. Today, many mouthguards are:
- Capable of covering both the upper and lower teeth for increased protection
- Made with breathable materials that allow athletes to achieve proper airflow and communicate more easily with their teammates
- Crafted with materials that become pliable when exposed to hot water, empowering an athlete to customize the fit of the gear to their unique mouth shape
- Made with convenient connective straps that allow players to take this piece of equipment out of their mouth and put it back in with ease
Thanks to continuous improvements in technology, modern sports mouthguards are more robust, flexible, and customizable than ever before.
Mouthguards as a Fashion Statement
Just because mouthguards are functional doesn’t mean they can’t be fashionable, too. With a diverse variety of styles available to choose from and a constantly changing cycle of celebrity-influenced trends, mouthguards have become a popular way to make a fashion statement on the field.
Expressing Individuality
When you’re wearing the same uniform from head to toe as all your teammates, how can you inject your personal style into your ensemble? For many football players, a customized mouthguard is the ideal solution.
The mouthguard provides a subtle but noticeable opportunity to flex your unique fashion sense.
If your style is more subtle and understated, you can go for a discrete, neutral-toned mouthguard in classic black, white, or grey.
Or, if you want to stand out on game day, you can have fun with a variety of different patterns.
Show off what makes you you by accenting your standard football uniform with a personalized mouthguard—this one simple addition will give your whole look an extra pop.
Trends and Influences
You might be surprised to learn that, yes—even mouthguards go through trend cycles.
As is the case with any sport, the biggest athletes in the industry tend to be the trendsetters who influence where the evolving aesthetic of mouthguards will go next.
For example, many players choose to rock mouthguards made in fun, vivid colors that stand out on the field. And as you can probably guess, custom mouthguards are often made to match (or contrast) with the signature colors of the athlete’s team.
One high-profile player who made a statement (and news story) with a unique mouthguard moment was Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. During a game in the middle of the holiday season, he wore a pair of two colorful mouthguards in a festive green and red.6
Why Choose Battle Sports Mouthguards?
Here at Battle Sports, we design top-quality mouthguards that stay ahead of what’s trending and stand the test of time.
We offer mouthguards of all different styles, shades, and designs so you have the freedom to choose a piece that feels 100% authentic to you.
Our football mouthguards are designed and developed by experts in the athletic, dental, and medical fields to provide superior airflow and better performance. Got braces? No problem—many Battle Sports styles are built to fit seamlessly over your brackets. Check out our football mouthguards for braces.
Finally—a mouthguard that performs at your level.
Unlock Unbeatable Safety and Swagger with Battle Sports Mouthguards
Mouthguards are an essential commitment to player safety, a fun piece of football drip to make a fashion statement on the field, and a smart investment you can make to greatly decrease your risk of paying costly medical fees down the road.
Peruse our diverse collection to find a mouthguard that best fits your functional needs and fashion preferences. Then, protect your pearly whites with your Battle Sports mouthguard of choice so you can keep smiling all season long.
Sources:
- Renew Dental Group. 7 Facts About Your Sports Mouth Guard. https://www.renewdentalgr.com/7-facts-about-your-sports-mouth-guard.php
- Reuters. Mouthguards may reduce concussion risk in youth ice hockey players. https://www.reuters.com/article/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/mouthguards-may-reduce-concussion-risk-in-youth-ice-hockey-players-idUSKBN1ZR2OW/
- MouthHealthy. Mouthguards. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/mouthguards
- Forbes. How Much Do Dental Implants Cost In 2024? https://www.forbes.com/health/dental/how-much-dental-implants-cost/
- National Library of Medicine. Association between Sports-Related Concussion and Mouthguard Use among College Sports Players: A Case-Control Study Based on Propensity Score Matching. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7345674/
- NY Times. Blingy, binky and beside the point: How football mouth guards became fashion statements. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4981514/2024/01/10/mouth-guards-nfl-college-football-fashion/
