If you play football and other contact sports, then you definitely need to get an athletic mouthguard! Football players need to protect their mouth and teeth while playing. In this review post and buying guide, we have reviewed the top eleven best football mouthguard to help you search for the perfect one.
The best football mouthguard will also help to reduce the likelihood of a concussion and other injuries. It’s important that it not only fits well but also that it can be worn comfortably.
All medical content on this site, including this guide and other product reviews, is written by our team of experienced writers and researchers. All writers from The Toothbrush Expert are recommended and reviewed in the industry. You support us through our editorially chosen links, which earn us commission. Learn more
All of our picks have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.
Quick Overview (comparison) – football mouthguard
Top 11 Best Football Mouthguard of 2022
As a football player, investing in the best football mouthguard is essential for your ultimate protection. We have compiled a list of most comfortable and high-quality mouthguards for football players.
1 – Shock Doctor Double Braces Mouth Guard, Best Football Mouthguard (Best Pick 🥇)
The mouthguard stands out for athletes with braces seeking protection for both upper and lower teeth. Shock Doctor Double Braces Mouth Guard is specifically designed for use with orthodontics. It easily adapts to changes in tooth position as braces are adjusted. This mouthguard is intended for youth, teenagers, kids, and adults.
This mouthguard is made with 100% medical-grade silicone. Is provides protection with no rough edges or materials that cause irritation. The instant fit mouthguard requires no molding. It comes with a $10,000 dental warranty and is available in strapped and strapless versions.
If you need great protection and a comfortable fit, look no further. Buy Shock Doctor Double Braces Mouth Guard to protect your teeth and dental investment.
Key features
- Specifically developed for use with orthodontics
- Ortho-Channel fits around upper & lower teeth brace brackets
- Give effective protection
- Instant fit
- No molding required
- Comfortable fit
- 100% medical-grade silicone
- Latex-free, BPA free, Phthalate Free
- Available in four colors
- Comes in strapped and strapless versions
- $10,000 dental warranty
Pros
- No rough edges or materials that cause irritation
- Perfect for people with braces on top and bottom teeth
Cons
- Carrying case not included
2 – Battle Oxygen Predator Football Mouthguard (Smart Pick 🥈)
This incredibly useful mouthguard comes with a choice of bright, bold colors and an unnerving fang design. The Battle Oxygen Predator Football Mouth Protector is designed to help you perform at a higher level on the football battlefield. It delivers a new standard in comfort, safety, and performance enhancement for high-intensity sports.
This advance composite football mouthguard provides full lip, mouth, and upper and lower teeth protection when you need it most. With the largest breathing hole on the market, the mouth guard delivers oxygen to the muscles for stamina and performance.
Forget boiling your mouthguard to get a custom fit. Just put Battle Oxygen Predator Football Mouth Protector in your mouth, bite down and you’re good to go! One size fits most mouths, and the mouthguard fits easily over braces. The convertible strap mouth shield is backed by a $5,000 dental warranty along with an unlimited defective guarantee.
Key features
- Available in multiple colors
- The convertible strap is included
- No boiling required
- One size fits most
- 5,000 dental warranty
- Maximum breathability
- provides full lip, mouth and teeth protection
- material: plastic
- comfortable fit
- Includes convertible strap
Pros
- Easy to fit and comfortable to wear
- Gives confidence and peace of mind
- Works well with braces
Cons
- Does not come with protective case
3 – Battle Oxygen Lip Protector Mouthguard with Convertible Strap (Budget Pick 🥉)
When it comes to mouthguards, it’s really hard to ask for anything more than Battle Oxygen Lip Protector. This is the original patented mouth protector delivering a new standard in comfort, protection, and performance on the football field.
Oxygen Lip Protector Mouthguard is easy to fit and has a comfortable fit. The mouthpiece is suitable for athletes with or without braces on their teeth. One size fits most and specifically designed to protect the lips, mouth, and teeth.
The Battle Oxygen mouthguard delivers superior airflow and better performance. It delivers more oxygen to the muscles for faster recovery, clearer thinking, and faster reaction times on the football field. As a note, the mouthguard also has an unlimited guarantee backing it up. This protective gear will definitely give you confidence and peace of mind on the battlefield.
Key features
- Easy to fit and comfortable to wear
- No boiling required
- Convertible strap
- 5,000 dental warranty
- Maximum breathability
- Provides full lip, mouth and teeth protection
- One-size-fits-all
Pros
- Suitable for people wearing braces
- Give confidence and peace of mind in the ground
- Delivers oxygen to the muscles for stamina and performance
- Unlimited defective guarantee
Cons
- This mouthguard is expensive
4 – 2 Pack Nxtrnd Classic Mouth Guard Sports
Nxtrnd Classic Mouth Guard is a single layer clear mouthguard that provides an easy fit for all ages. This mouthpiece is designed and engineered for ultimate comfort, enhanced breathability, and allows ease of speech.
It is designed with a sleek undercarriage channel system that boosts airflow and aids breathing. It brings innovation, technology, and style into the impact sports industry. The Nxtrnd Classic sports mouth guard comes with an unlimited defective warranty covering both guards as well as the protective case.
Nxtrnd Classic sports mouthguard can be remolded up to 3 times to obtain the perfect “snap-in” fit. The Classic guard is perfect for football, basketball, baseball, boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, karate, judo, along with all other forms of martial arts and contact sports.
Key features
- Comfortable fit
- Thin design
- Protects your lips, teeth, and jaw
- Durable
- Enhanced airflow
- BPA free
- Unlimited defective warranty
Pros
- Allows ease of speech
- Comes with a protective case
Cons
- Not recommended if you wear braces
5 – SISU Mouth Guards Aero
The SISU Aero Mouthguard is the latest evolution in the mouthguard with unmatched quality and functionality. This mouthpiece has a super-slim and ultralight design. Ideal for football, soccer, hockey, basketball, and other contact team sports.
SISU Aero Mouthguard is scientifically engineered with Diffusix technology. The non-compressible and perforated guard material distributes forces over a larger area to reduce the risk of dental injury during competition. The slim, custom fit makes it easy to talk, breathe, and drink without removing the guard, which contributes to better hygiene.
SISU Aero Mouth Guard offers more protection with less mouth guard. Guard is compatible with braces and is available in three sizes. Combined with its quick, remoldable, and custom fit, you will entirely forget there’s something awesome and plastic inside your mouth.
Key features
- Custom fit
- Available in three sizes: small, medium, large
- Premium dental warranty
- Slim fit and ultra-light design
- Use Diffusix Technology
- BPA, PVC, and latex-free
Pros
- Supports a wide range of players
- Slim and customized fit guaranteed
- Comfortable and convenient to use
- Easy to talk, breathe and drink
- Fit users perfectly
Cons
- A bit too thin and light for heavier sports
6 – Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard
Shock Doctor Gel Max mouthguard offers the protection you need for your sport. It is designed using a heavy-duty rubber Exoskeletal Shock Frame and Gel-Fit Liner to provide maximum protection, fit and comfort.
This mouthpiece has a comfortable fit and gives protection with a convertible tether that can be used strapped or strapless. Shock Doctor Gel Max triple-layer mouthguard is an idea for all ages with easy boil and bite fitting.
This mouthpiece protects your jaw and teeth from all sides. Heavy-duty Exoskeletal Shock Frame provides maximum protection during the hardest impacts. Suitable for all contact sports where a mouth guard is recommended including football, wrestling, boxing, and many more.
Key features
- Use gel-fit liner technology
- Breathable
- Professional dental protection
- Durable
- Easy to fit – boil and bite
- Convertible – strapped or strapless
- Suitable for all contact sports
- Color: blue/ black
Pros
- Provides full mouth protection during the hardest impacts
- Ideal for all ages
Cons
- Not recommended for individuals with braces
- Hard to clean
- This mouth guard does not come with any case
7 – Under Armour Mouthwear ArmourFit (Strapless)
This mouth guard is designed for football and all other contact sports. ArmourFit technology provides a dentist-like fit. Its design technology sits close to your skin so that lips do not swell. This reduces the likelihood that your lips will get hurt during a game.
It is chew-resistant and allows you to talk and breathe easily. Additionally, you can choose the perfect color that matches your style.
Key features
- Custom fit
- Chew resistant
- $32,000 dental warranty
- Available in youth and adult size
- Comes in five colors
- Strapless
Pros
- The slim design ensures that your lips do not swell while you’re on the field of play
- It is light and therefore very comfortable to wear for long periods
- It’s easy to converse when wearing this mouthguard
Cons
- Supplied without strap
- Does not provide lip protection
8 – Venum Challenger Football Mouthguard
Venom Challenger Mouthguard has been specifically designed to prevent and reduce injuries to your teeth, arches, lips, joints, jaw, and gums. It takes a perfect custom fit of your teeth to maximize your security and protection.
An advanced gel frame for improved comfort and added an exclusive breathing channel for increased performance. The lower rubber frame brakes the shock wave and disperses it in the direction of your strongest teeth. It includes special case to keep the mouth guard hygienic and clean.
Key features
- Available in 13 colors
- CE Certification/Norm: SATRA M33:2011
- Includes High-Density Rubber Frame
- Nexfit Gel Frame
- Includes protective case
- Custom fit
- One size fits all
Pros
- Great for MMA, martial arts and all contact sports
- Includes special protective sanitary casing
Cons
- This mouthguard is expensive
9 – Shock Doctor Pro Mouth Guard
Shock Doctor Pro Mouth Guard is suitable for all contact sports where a mouth guard is required or recommended like football, basketball, MMA, boxing, jiu-jitsu and much more. It has a quick and easy boil and bites fitting for a tight-molded gel fit.
Shock Doctor Pro Mouth Guard includes shock-absorbing bumper that deflects impact away from front teeth. It also has a Multi-layer construction with an internal shock-absorbing frame that offers maximum protection. This dental guard works perfectly with braces to protect your orthodontic investment.
Key features
- Suitable for all contact sports
- Suitable for kids and adults
- Provides a comfortable fit
- $10k dental warranty
- Shock-absorbing front bumper
- Braces compatible
Pros
- Versatile as it works for all kinds of contact sports
- Lightweight and protective
- Form-fitting to the teeth
Cons
- Not as moldable when compared to other mouth guards
10 – Shock Doctor Mouthguard: Gel Max
The Gel Max guard is one of Shock Doctor’s widely known mouth guards and is available in many different sports retailers. It includes a convertible tether that allows the mouthguard to be used strapped or strapless. Shock Doctor Gel Max triple-layer mouthguard is ideal for all ages with easy boil and bite fitting.
Shock Doctor Gel Max mouthguard offers the protection you need for your sport. It is designed using a heavy-duty rubber Exoskeletal Shock Frame and Gel-Fit Liner to provide maximum protection, fit and comfort. The dental guard has integrated breathing channels to keep the air flowing, so you can perform your best while playing football.
This boil-and-bite mouthpiece provides complete oral protection from all sides. It is suitable for all contact sports including football, lacrosse, basketball, boxing, MMA, martial arts, and many more.
Key features
- Exoskeletal shock frame
- Integrated breathing channels
- Triple-layer design
- Easier to fit
- Gel-Fit liner
- Boil and bite fit
- Gel Max Flavor Fusion with a convertible tether
- Breathable
- Convertible – strapped or strapless
- Professional dental protection
- Durable
Pros
- Professional dental protection
- Suitable for all contact sports
- Ideal for all ages
Cons
- Not recommended for individuals with braces
- It does not come with protective case
11 – Shock Doctor Max Airflow Lip Guard, Football Mouth Guard
The Shock Doctor Max AirFlow lip guard features the hottest prints and cleanest looks for football. It gives 10% more airflow capacity via AirFlow breathing channel.
Shock Doctor Max Airflow Lip Guard has a comfortable fit. This no-mold instant fit lip guard made from medical grade silicone that remains flexible and resilient in all conditions. The specific design and platform relax the jaw and prevent teeth from blocking the breathing channel and add more flow capacity.
This dental guard is perfect for kids, adults, teenagers, and youth. It is suitable for football, hockey, lacrosse and more sports. It works perfectly well with athletes wearing braces.
Key features
- Meets national and state regulation
- $10,000 dental warranty
- Braces compatible
- Breathable
- Comfortable fit
- No molding required
- Includes flexible Shock Doctor polymers
- Latex-free, BPA free, Phthalate-free
Pros
- Useful for different positions
- Available in many colors and sizes
- Perfectly serves as a lip guard, protecting the lips and teeth
- Facilitates drinking and speaking during a game
Cons
- Does not come with protective case
Best football mouthguard buying guide
Choosing the best football mouthguard can cause a bit of confusion. That’s simply because the mouthpiece is an essential component of a player’s protection. While the options and choices may seem overwhelming, we’re here to help.
There are various things to consider before you buy a mouthguard. Armed with the essential information in this buying guide, you will be able to get your hands on the best football mouthguard that protects you from injury.
Where to pay attention to when buying a football mouthguard?
There are a few things you should pay attention to when looking for a football mouthguard. These factors include the following:
Protection with the best football mouthguard
The main purpose of a mouthguard is to protect the teeth from injuries and shocks. A good mouthpiece can offer maximum protection that a player definitely needs. It lowers your risk of injuries while also ensuring that you are comfortable while on the field.
Some mouthguards protect the teeth alone while there are others that protect both the teeth and lips. It is essential to make a good choice while considering the risks involved during play. All of the mouth guards listed in the blog effectively gives protection from injuries during contact sports.
Braces
Braces are one of the most important factors when it comes to buying a mouthguard. There are special football mouth guards that are built for athletes with braces. It is important to get a brace mouthguard if you are a footballer with braced teeth. This protective gear provides you with extra space for your braces while protecting your teeth. To keep your braces fresh and clean you have to read the best Waterpik for braces.
An athlete can have severe injury due to the impact of hits while on the field. Braced mouth guards are really effective in such cases.
Comfort of the football mouth guard
A good mouthguard should provide sufficient comfort and should fit your mouth perfectly. When choosing a football mouthguard, it is quite essential to make a good choice by picking the one that makes you feel comfortable while you’re on the field of the play.
It should still let you breathe, talk, and drink easily while staying in your mouth during the whole practice or game. Also, ensure that your chosen accessory does not interfere with the movement of your teeth as your braces let them move slowly to produce a perfect smile.
Fit
For you to gain full comfort and protection from wearing a mouthguard, it is crucial to ensure that it has the proper and right fit. A properly-fitting mouthguard can be expected to stay in place even when dealing with the impact. Use size:
Youth – 11 and under
Adults – 12+
Straps
Another key consideration for the most suitable football mouthguard is the strap. Having strapped or strapless mouthguard is a matter of personal preference. The strapped mouthguard is actually ideal for you if you constantly misplace the football equipment. The strap in the mouthguard can also show the football officials and coaches right away that you’re wearing one.
Lip Guard Protection
Football is a high-impact sport; players can easily get hit on pretty much every single play. You need to make sure that you are as protected as possible with the help of your football mouthguards. This includes lip guard as well. This extra layer of protection is going to prevent you from getting a busted open lip on a regular basis.
Advantages of a football mouthguard
Whether it’s a little league, high school, professional sports, or just an organized activity, a sports guard should be worn if there is a risk of being hit in the mouth or jaw area. The ideal mouth guard is durable, resilient, and comfortable. It should fit properly, be easy to clean, and should not affect your ability to breathe or speak. Some of the advantages of football mouthguard are discussed below:
Act as a cushion to redistribute the force of impact
Mouthguards act as a cushion to redistribute the force of the impact more evenly. They provide a barrier between your teeth and the soft tissue in and around your mouth.
Protect from oral injury with the best football mouthguard
Mouthguards protect you from injury. A single blow to the mouth or jaw can cause serious dental damage that is painful and expensive to treat. They protect against cuts to lips, gums, and other soft tissue in the mouth area. Dental guards also safeguard against serious injuries such as jaw fracture, cerebral hemorrhage, concussion, and neck injuries.
Protect against damage to braces
Mouthguards protect against damage to braces. A blow to the mouth can damage the brackets and wires of braces and can cause cuts and tears to the soft tissue inside your mouth. Mouthguards are usually worn only on the upper teeth, but people with braces on their lower teeth should consider using one on both sets of teeth. To keep your teeth clean while wearing braces, make sure you have the best toothbrush for braces.
Custom fittings
Mouthguards can be custom made. These are prescribed and fitted by a dental professional. The process involves making a model of your teeth and then molding the mouthguard material around the dental model to ensure a close and comfortable fit. They vary in terms of cost, comfort, and effectiveness.
Disadvantages of a buying a football mouthguard
Football mouthguard is essential for athletes and prevents them from injuries. Sometimes they are expensive and difficult to wear. Some of the disadvantages of buying football mouthguards are as follows:
Tend to loose over time
There is a chance that mouthguard can come loose, reducing its effectiveness. Many types of mouthpiece may possibly tend to lose its shape and a snug fit over time.
Customization makes them thin
During customization, the thickness of the internal spongy layer of the appliance may get thinned out. If it does, this can compromise the level of protection that the guard can provide.
Less durable
Some of the dental guards are less durable and need to be replaced more often.
Cumbersome to wear
If the mouthguard does not have comfortable fit, players find them cumbersome to wear. This may result in tissue irritation during use.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on football mouthguards
Yes, even if you are wearing braces at the top and bottom teeth, you can still wear a battle mouthguard. It should fit your mouth properly and still let you talk and drink with ease while also preventing the risk of gagging.
One size fits most, and the mouthguard fits easily over braces, protecting both the teeth and lips. Just put the Battle mouthguard in your mouth, bite down and you are good to go!
Lip Guards help protect football players from unnecessary injury by surrounding the whole mouth with a strong barrier. They help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face, or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips, and cheek lining.
Bring water to a rolling boil. Remove water from the heat source. Let the water stand for 30 seconds, then place mouthguard in water for 60 seconds. Remove the mouthguard out of the hot water with a slotted spoon, tongs, or any tools you can use to safely retrieve it. Do not exceed 60 seconds or follow the company instructions.
A football mouthguard should be cleaned well after every use to prevent the growth of bacteria and plaque. To clean your dental guard, get a hard-bristled toothbrush specifically for the purpose. You can even buy a special cleaning brush, but a toothbrush will do just fine.
Put a small amount of soap on the mouth guard. Use lukewarm water on the toothbrush to create suds. Gently brush the mouth guard and don’t leave any dirt pockets. Rinse under warm water to ensure all of the soap comes off. Otherwise, it may cause some unpleasant irritation from leftover soap.
After washing and drying the mouthguard, you should place it in a case. Don’t forget to clean the mouthguard case too, as there may be some bacteria built up in there as well.
NFL players wear different types and brands of mouthguards, based on their style and preference. NFL players are not mandated to wear any specific mouth guard, so they wear whatever they like. Players like Odell Beckham Jr. signed a deal with Shock Doctor, one of the top mouthpiece players in the game.
Conclusion
A mouthguard is essential for all athletes, either kids or adults. The football dental guard is always a vital component of your overall football equipment. The chances of a tooth or jaw injury caused by an impact while playing football are minimized by wearing a proper mouthguard.
The best football mouthguard may seem to be a small piece of protective gear, but it can do wonders by protecting your teeth and preventing concussions. We hope this review post has cleared you about the football mouthguards and the key considerations belonging to them. To keep your teeth white and shiny have a look at the best electric toothbrushes.
Dr Michael Jones is the proud founder of The Toothbrush Expert. He has been working as a dentist for 21 years now. Besides his work as a dentist, Michael wants to help people to find the right dental products. His goal is to provide everyone with honest expert reviews on all kinds of dental care products.