Yes. As fall sports sign-ups and practices start in August 2026, pediatric dentists and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that every child in an organized sport that carries a risk of a hit to the face wear a properly fitted mouthguard. The device is inexpensive, it is one of the few pieces of gear proven to prevent knocked-out and broken teeth, and a back-to-school dental visit is the ideal moment to fit one before the first practice.
Mouthguards rarely make the back-to-school shopping list next to cleats, shin guards, and helmets, yet a single unprotected collision can cost a child a permanent front tooth and years of dental work. With youth football, soccer, basketball, and volleyball seasons ramping up across the country this month and next, dentists are repeating a simple message: protect the smile before the season starts, not after an injury sends a family to the emergency room.
How common are dental injuries in youth sports?
They are common enough that dentists treat them as predictable, not freak accidents. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) reported in 2026 that roughly 22,000 dental injuries occur each year in children younger than 18 that could be prevented with proper protective equipment. Delta Dental of Oklahoma, promoting a 2026 youth mouthguard program, noted that sports-related dental injuries drive more than 600,000 emergency room visits in the United States annually, and that an athlete without a mouthguard is about 60 times more likely to suffer a dental injury than one wearing a mouthguard.
Key facts at a glance
- About 22,000 preventable dental injuries occur each year in U.S. children under 18, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2026).
- 60 times higher risk of a dental injury for an athlete with no mouthguard, according to Delta Dental of Oklahoma (2026).
- More than 600,000 U.S. emergency room visits a year are tied to sports-related dental injuries, according to Delta Dental of Oklahoma (2026).
Which kids and which sports actually need a mouthguard?
Any child in a sport where a ball, an elbow, a stick, or another player can reach the mouth should wear one, and that covers far more than football. The AAPD, in its Policy on Prevention of Sports-Related Orofacial Injuries, urges that properly fitted mouthguards be worn for organized activities that carry a risk of orofacial injury, and it specifically recommends an ASTM-certified face protector for youth playing baseball and softball. Contact sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and basketball are obvious, but dentists also flag soccer, volleyball, skateboarding, gymnastics, and cheer, where falls and collisions are routine.
Parents of children with braces have an extra reason to ask. Fixed brackets can cut the inside of the lip on impact, so orthodontic patients need a mouthguard designed to fit over their appliances. A pediatric practice such as Super Kids Dental in Riverside, California, or an orthodontic office like Casady Square Orthodontics in Oklahoma City can advise on the right style for a child who is mid-treatment.
What are the different types of mouthguards, and which is best?
There are three main types, and they trade off price against fit and protection. Stock guards are the cheapest and the least protective, boil-and-bite guards are the popular middle option, and a custom guard made from a dental impression offers the best fit and comfort, which is what keeps a child actually wearing it. The table below compares them.
| Type | How it fits | Typical cost | Fit and comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Ready to wear, no shaping | Low | Bulky, loose, hard to talk in | A last-minute backup only |
| Boil and bite | Softened in hot water, molded by biting | Low to moderate | Better fit if molded carefully | Most recreational youth athletes |
| Custom fitted | Made by a dentist from an impression | Higher | Best fit, comfort, and retention | Braces, high-contact sports, frequent play |
The AAPD encourages dentists to prescribe, fabricate, or refer families for custom-fitted mouthguard protection, and dentists agree that the best mouthguard is the one a child will keep in place for the whole game. A guard that is too bulky or that makes breathing hard tends to end up in a gym bag, which is why fit matters as much as the label.
Does a mouthguard also protect against concussions?
Its proven job is protecting teeth, lips, and jaws, and claims that a mouthguard prevents concussions are not well supported by evidence. What a well-fitted guard reliably does is cushion the teeth and soft tissue from a direct blow, reducing chipped and knocked-out teeth, cut lips, and broken jaws. Families should treat a mouthguard as essential dental gear rather than as head-injury insurance, and continue to rely on helmets, coaching, and rules for broader safety.
Why does an early front-tooth injury matter so much?
Because a permanent tooth lost in childhood often means a lifetime of repairs, not a one-time fix. A child who loses a permanent front tooth at age 10 may need a temporary replacement, then eventually a bridge or an implant once the jaw finishes growing, along with follow-up care for decades. Beyond the cost, dentists point to the toll on a child's confidence.
"Competitive sports are a great way for kids to remain active and healthy, but they also highly increase the risk of dental injuries," said John Gladden, chief executive of Delta Dental of Oklahoma, whose foundation distributed free youth mouthguards in 2026. His colleague Terrisa Singleton-Smith, who directs the foundation, added that "dental injuries are not just costly. They can also affect a child's self-confidence, emotional wellbeing and academic performance."
How should families handle mouthguards this back-to-school season?
Fold it into the same summer dental visit you already schedule before school starts. A checkup two to six weeks before the season lets the dentist confirm the teeth are healthy, take an impression if you want a custom guard, and size the device around any baby teeth still in place or any orthodontic work in progress. Families who covered a back-to-school checkup on Smile Listing this summer can simply add mouthguards to that appointment. A few practical habits keep the guard working:
- Rinse it after every use and store it in a ventilated case, not a hot car.
- Check the fit at the start of each season, since children's mouths change fast as new teeth come in.
- Replace a guard that is torn, warped, or too small, and expect younger children to need new sizes more often.
- Pack a backup boil-and-bite guard so a lost device never becomes an excuse to play without one.
Local dentists and community foundations sometimes offer free or low-cost mouthguards ahead of the fall season, so it is worth asking your child's dental office or league what is available in your area.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should a child start wearing a sports mouthguard?
As soon as a child joins an organized sport with any contact or fall risk, which for many families is around ages 6 to 7. The guard should be sized to the child's current mouth and refitted as new permanent teeth erupt, so check it each season.
Can my child wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, and they especially should. Children with braces need a mouthguard shaped to fit over the brackets, which cushions the lips against the hardware during a hit. Ask an orthodontist or pediatric dentist for the right style rather than forcing a standard guard over the appliance.
Is a custom mouthguard worth the extra cost?
For children in high-contact sports, who play often, or who wear braces, many dentists say yes because a better fit means the guard is worn consistently and stays put on impact. For lighter recreational play, a carefully molded boil-and-bite guard is a reasonable and affordable option.
How often should a youth mouthguard be replaced?
Replace it whenever it is torn, warped, or no longer fits, and plan to check it every season. Because children's teeth and jaws change quickly, a guard that fit last fall may be too small by the next school year.
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by the child's first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing, then a checkup every six months. Regular visits let a dentist track your child's teeth and fit protective gear like a mouthguard before problems start.
Updated July 2026. Sources: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (news room and its Policy on Prevention of Sports-Related Orofacial Injuries) and Delta Dental of Oklahoma's 2026 youth mouthguard program. This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from your child's dentist.
