Do You Need a Mouthguard for Wrestling? Key Insights You Should Know

Wrestling is one of the high-contact and physical sports characterized by hard grapples, body slams, and other quick and forceful movements. Though it takes agility, strength, and endurance to participate in wrestling, there is also much risk involved in the sport.

This is where a mouth guard comes in to protect the teeth, gums, and even your jaw. In this post, we’ll discuss why you need a sports mouthguard to keep you safe on the wrestling mat and how to pick the right type to protect your mouth.

Why You Need Mouthguards in Wrestling

Wrestling is a sport where you’re constantly in close contact with your opponent, with throws, tackles, and body slams involved. There is always the risk of dental injuries and jaw fractures, so you need a custom wrestling mouthguard.

A Sport with High Injury Risk

Wrestling is recognized as a high-risk sport due to the potential for serious mouth, tongue, teeth, and jaw injuries. Newsome et al.'s research in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry reports that one of the most effective dental appliances for preventing injuries in contact sports such as wrestling is the mouthguard.

Unlike other sports, including basketball or football, where one would avoid an opponent's face, wrestling frequently involves physical grappling, kicking, punching, and elbowing that puts the mouth at high risk for trauma.

Common Injuries in Wrestling

Wrestlers are at risk of various kinds of injuries, many of which affect the mouth and teeth. According to Wang et al. in Frontiers in Medicine, the most common are:

• Broken Teeth: A direct impact to the face can easily crack or knock out a tooth, causing long-term dental problems.

• Jaw Fractures: The forceful movements and impacts to the face pose a high risk of jaw fractures among wrestlers.

• Soft Tissue Injuries: Athletes are at risk of experiencing soft-tissue injuries from close contact with opponents and the mat, such as cuts to the gums and inner cheeks of the mouth.

The Role of Mouthguards

Wearing a mouthguard plays a very important role in reducing the severity of dental injuries. It protects the teeth, gums, and jaw from fractures, cuts, and other traumatic injuries while enabling wrestlers to focus on their hard work, pride, and shape in training and competition without concerns about injuries to their mouths or teeth.

Ready to rumble? Protect those gnashers with a custom-made sports guard from Cheeky, for maximum comfort and durability. The Cheeky Guard offers a secure, lightweight fit for athletes involved in high-impact sports like wrestling.

Mouthguards for Wrestlers

Mouthguards are sometimes required as a safety precaution in wrestling. Here are some of the wrestling regulations that require mouthguards, as well as why it is important for safety.

Regulations and Requirements

Many wrestling tournaments and competitions now require mouthguards. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) require all wrestlers to wear a sports mouthguard during competition to ensure their safety while competing.

Most state athletic associations have a rule for mouthguard usage at the high school level. College and professional wrestling also require athletes to wear mouthguards. Failure to do so may result in penalties, disqualification, or an inability to compete.

Generally, regulations are similar across wrestling at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. All the major wrestling organizations have recognized the importance of protecting the mouth from possible injuries.

The Benefits of Wearing a Sports Mouthguard During Wrestling

Now that we have talked about why you need a mouthguard in wrestling, let's get down to the benefits while on the training or competition floor.

Protection from Tooth and Jaw Injuries

The first advantage of using a mouthguard is protection for your teeth and jaw. When wrestling, a blow to the mouth could break your teeth or even fracture your jaw. These are injuries that might require lengthy treatment and recovery. A mouthguard cushions your teeth from such blows.

Soft Tissue Injury Prevention

In wrestling, the soft tissues in the mouth, including the tongue, lips, cheeks, and gums, get cut due to unintentional collisions with the opponent. The modern sports mouthguard creates a protective layer between the teeth and soft tissues.

Reducing Concussion Risk

Even though a mouthguard doesn’t stop concussions, it minimizes the risk. An athletic mouthguard helps absorb impacts and distribute forces, reducing the risk of concussions and other head injuries.

Choosing the Best Mouthguard for Wrestling

Types of Mouthguards

1. Stock Mouthguards: These are ready-to-wear and preformed mouthguards. They’re the cheapest, but they offer poor protection and fit, which reduces their ability to absorb impacts.

2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: These are softened by boiling and then molded to the contours of your teeth with your finger. This type provides a better fit than stock mouthguards but falls short in protection compared to a custom mouthguard.

3. Custom Mouthguards: These are molded to protect your teeth and fit comfortably. Custom wrestling mouthguards made from durable materials provide superior shock absorption and protection against jaw injuries.

Comfortable Fit

A comfortable fit is important when choosing a mouthguard. If the mouthguard doesn’t fit well, it may shift during a match or feel uncomfortable, or even fall out. A custom-fit mouthguard ensures that the guard remains in place, providing maximum protection without causing limitations in breathing or speech.

Material Matters

Good-quality materials, such as rubbers and silicones, have better shock absorption and are more comfortable to wear. Choose a sports mouthguard made from FDA-approved materials that are safe to use and will protect your mouth and teeth. For more insights, read our guide on “What is a mouth guard?” to understand everything you need to know to protect your smile in high-contact sports.

What to Look for in the Best Mouth Guard for Wrestling

Here's what to look for in one to ensure safety and comfort:

• Custom Fit: A custom-fit mouthguard offers maximum protection and comfort. The custom-fitted mouthguards from Cheeky fit snugly in your mouth to provide superior protection from injuries. An ill-fitting mouthguard can cause discomfort and distractions during matches.

• Durability: A mouthguard made from durable materials that can withstand the intense forces of wrestling without breaking down.

• Breathability: Some mouthguards have air holes and openings to allow nasal breathing, ensuring you can breathe comfortably during intense matches.

Wearing and Maintaining a Mouthguard

To get the best from your mouthguard, the following are necessary tips for good use and care:

• Proper Use: When inserting the mouthguard, it should fit snugly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and read our complete guide on how to wear a mouth guard for expert tips.

• Maintenance: Regularly clean your mouthguard with a toothbrush and cool water to prevent the growth of bacteria. Read our guide on how to clean a mouth guard for longevity and freshness for valuable maintenance insights.

• Replacement: Your mouthguard degrades with time. If you see any wear and tear in your mouthguard, replace it for continued protection.

Don't wait until an injury occurs. Get your sports mouth guards this week from Cheeky's online store and protect your smile. Our custom-made mouthguards guarantee maximum protection, comfort, durability, and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Sports Require Mouth Guards?

Mouth protectors are used in many sports that involve high contact and a risk of injury. Sports like football, basketball, rugby, hockey, and wrestling require players to wear mouthguards to protect their teeth, gums, and jaws. Using a mouthguard helps prevent dental injuries and jaw fractures, keeping athletes safe during their activities.

Do WWE Wrestlers Wear Mouthguards?

Many WWE wrestlers prefer customized dental appliances to keep their teeth and gums in place. The physicality involved in WWE wrestling includes strong slams and high-impact moves that can injure the mouth and teeth. Mouth guards can provide essential protection during the intense fights to help prevent serious injuries like broken teeth or even a jaw fracture.

Can I Wrestle Without Brace Guards?

If you wear braces, use a mouthguard that covers them. Standard mouthguards, such as stock or boil-and-bite, won't safeguard your braces, which could lead to discomfort or injury. A custom-crafted mouthguard from a dentist can effectively protect your braces and teeth, keeping you safe while wrestling.

Does USA Wrestling Require Headgear?

Yes, USA Wrestling requires headgear for most youth and high school competitions. Headgear primarily protects the ears from specific injuries, such as cauliflower ear, that can easily happen during close-contact grappling. While headgear covers and protects the ears, it doesn’t cover the mouth. So, wrestlers should still wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth and jaw from injury during training and competition.

Why Do American Wrestlers Wear Headgear?

American wrestlers wear headgear to protect their ears from cauliflower ear, among other common injuries in the sport. It also protects against repeated contact with the ears in grueling grappling. While headgear protects the ears, a mouthguard protects your mouth, teeth, and jaws. These two pieces of gear offer protection that allows wrestlers to perform at their best and stay safe.

Conclusion: So, Do You Need A Mouthguard for Wrestling?

Wrestling is a high-risk sport, and protecting your mouth, teeth, and jaw should be a top priority. Wearing a mouthguard is the most effective way to ensure adequate protection during competition and practice. When choosing a stock, boil-and-bite, or custom mouthguard, ensure it provides a comfortable, secure fit.

For the best mouthguard, consider getting a custom option from Cheeky. With a custom-fit sports mouthguard, you’ll be protected from dental injuries, jaw fractures, and soft tissue damage, allowing you to focus on your performance.

References

Newsome, P. R. H., Tran, D. C., & Cooke, M. S. (2001). The role of the mouthguard in the prevention of sports‐related dental injuries: a review. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 11(6), 396-404.

Wang, K., Liu, Y., Zhao, Z., Zhou, S., & Zhang, M. (2025). Mouthguard types, properties, and influence on performance in sport activities: a narrative review. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1527621.