Mouth Guards for Goalkeepers: Protect Your Teeth and Prevent Injuries
Everyone has a goal they care about. For goalkeepers, their objective is simple: don't let the ball in. And let's be real — the opposing team will do everything to score, sometimes using a bit of force. That's why a goalkeeper mouth guard can be a game-changer, protecting them from the hits that come their way.
In this blog, we'll break down the risks goalkeepers face without a mouth guard, how a goalkeeper mouth guard protects their teeth, what to look for when choosing one, and how ClearClub helps keep goalkeepers dentally protected.
📑 Table of Contents
Dental Injuries Goalkeepers Can Avoid With a Mouth Guard
Playing contact sports puts your whole body at risk — but your head is especially vulnerable. Injuries to the jaw and mouth are called orofacial injuries, or more simply, facial injuries. According to Medline Plus, these can affect your jaw, cheeks, eye sockets, nose, and forehead. They can happen from car accidents, sports collisions, or any hard impact.
Because the jaw also holds your teeth, dental injuries are common. A study in the National Library of Medicine found that dental injuries happen more often than you might think — especially in contact sports. These injuries, like broken or knocked-out teeth, are among the most frequent sports-related traumas.
The American Dental Association points out that contact sports put your teeth at even higher risk — particularly your upper teeth, which take most of the force. Another study in a sports dentistry journal found that 22% of professional athletes had experienced dental injuries. Even more surprising, while 67% knew a mouthguard was important, only 28% actually wore one.
How a Mouthguard Keeps a Goalkeeper’s Teeth Safe
A sports mouth guard — or just a mouth guard — is an essential piece of gear for any athlete. Wearing one during practice or games comes with a bunch of benefits, like:
- Spreads impact — absorbs and distributes the force across your jaw, so your upper teeth take less of a hit.
- Prevents teeth from clashing — a custom-fit guard keeps your upper and lower teeth from smashing together.
- Cushions soft tissue — protects your gums, lips, and cheeks from cuts during a collision.
- Reduces jaw injuries — helps absorb shocks that could otherwise damage your jaw or head.
Wondering why goalkeepers need a mouthguard during contact sports? Learn more here: Playing Contact Sports? Here's Why You Need a Mouth Guard
Why Some Goalkeepers Don’t Wear a Mouth Guard
The American Dental Association mentions that athletes often skip mothguards because of cost, loose enforcement, and a lack of awareness about their benefits.
Even though dental and facial injuries are common in sports, mouthguards are only required in a few high-contact ones, like football. Surprisingly, basketball isn't required either — even though a study found it actually has the highest rate of dental injuries.
Meanwhile, in professional sports and the military, mouthguards are mandatory only for boxers and military personnel during training.
For goalkeepers, the same reasons often apply — leaving them at risk of dental injuries that could be easily prevented with a mouthguard.
Tips for Choosing the Right Goalkeeper Mouth Guard
Goalkeeping isn't easy, and neither is picking the right mouthguard. Bigger doesn't always mean better when it comes to protection. According to the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs and the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations, here are the key standards to keep in mind.
- Must fit your mouth and teeth properly
- Must be made from FDA-approved, resilient materials
- Should cover all teeth, especially the upper (maxillary) arch
- Must stay in place securely and comfortably
- Must match the wearer's oral anatomy
- Must be easy to clean
- Must absorb high-impact forces to reduce oral injuries
More importantly, a custom-fit athletic mouthguard performs better than generic options like boil-and-bite and stock guards. Custom-made guards are tailored to your teeth and made from higher-quality materials, meeting ADA standards while keeping your teeth safe during high-impact or contact sports.
Stay Safe, Play Hard: Get Your ClearClub Mouth Guard
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Protect your teeth without spending a fortune — get a mouthguard that actually stands up to impact.
ClearClub's Custom Sports Mouth Guard is made with FDA-approved, BPA-free, Latex-free, and non-allergenic materials and features a soft 4.5mm interior and exterior for maximum comfort and protection. Plus, it comes in a range of colors so your personality can shine on the field.
If you love your first sports guard with us, keep the protection going with our renewal plan. Shop now and gear up today!
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Why do goalkeepers need sports mouthguards?
Goalkeepers wear sports mouthguards because their teeth are especially vulnerable to impact during gameplay. Athletic mouthguards absorb and evenly distribute force to the face, significantly reducing the risk of orofacial injuries.
❓ Which type of athletic mouthguard works best for goalkeepers?
There are four types of sports mouthguards available to goalkeepers: stock, boil-and-bite, dentist-made, and direct-to-consumer custom fit guards. Among these, custom-fit sports mouthguards offer the best balance of protection, comfort, and affordability, making them the most practical choice for goalkeepers.
❓ Are mouthguards mandatory for goalkeepers?
Wearing a mouthguard is not mandatory for goalkeepers. However, the ADA and dental professionals strongly recommend using one to protect the teeth from impact and reduce the risk of injury.
Looking for something else? Check our full FAQs section.