Which Sports Actually Require a Mouthguard? (The List Might Surprise You)
Most parents think of hockey and football when mouthguards come up. And yes, those sports absolutely need one. But the list of activities where dental injuries happen regularly is longer than most people expect, and some of the entries on it might change how you think about your own sport or your child's.
April is Oral Health Month in Canada and the start of spring sports season in Lethbridge. It's a good time to take a closer look at where the real risk lies.
The High-Contact Sports (The Ones Everyone Knows)
These are the sports where mouthguards are either mandatory or strongly recommended by most leagues:
Hockey: Flying pucks, sticks, and boards make hockey one of the highest-risk sports for dental injuries. Mouthguards are mandatory in most leagues, though not all enforce this at the recreational level.
Football and Rugby: Helmets protect the head, but they do not protect the teeth. Mouthguards are mandatory in organized football at most levels.
Lacrosse: A fast-moving sport with high impact potential. Mandatory in many leagues.
Boxing and Martial Arts: Mandatory in virtually all competitive settings.
The Medium-Contact Sports (Where People Get Surprised)
These sports have lower perceived risk but account for a significant number of dental injuries each year:
Basketball: More physical than people expect, especially around the net. Elbows and collisions are among the most common causes of chipped and knocked-out teeth.
Soccer: Headers, collisions, and falls are all common. Mouthguards aren't typically mandatory in recreational soccer, but they're a smart addition.
Baseball and Softball: Ground balls, wild pitches, and collisions at the plate create real risk, especially for catchers and infielders.
The Non-Contact Sports Worth Thinking About
Cycling: Falls happen fast, and the pavement is unforgiving. A mouthguard is a smart addition for any cyclist who rides regularly.
Skateboarding and BMX: High fall frequency and hard surfaces mean dental injuries are common in these activities.
Gymnastics and Cheerleading: The combination of height, momentum, and hard floors puts gymnasts and cheerleaders at genuine risk that often goes underestimated.
What About Kids in Recreational Leagues?
Even if a sport isn't requiring a mouthguard at the recreational level, that doesn't mean the risk isn't real. Recreational leagues often have more variability in player skill, which can actually increase the chance of accidental collisions.
If your child is playing any sport where there's running, physical contact, or the possibility of falling, a mouthguard is a reasonable precaution regardless of what the league requires.
The Bottom Line
Dental injuries in sport are common, and they're expensive to treat. Asking your dentist about mouthguard options takes just a few minutes and can save a lot of trouble down the road.
Sun Dental is located in downtown Lethbridge at 718 3 Ave S. Call us at 403-327-3410 or visit sundental.ca if you have questions or want to book an appointment.