Sports and Oral Health: How to Protect Your Teeth from Athletic Injuries

Why Athletes Need to Protect Their Teeth

One hard hit. One moment of impact. The result? A chipped tooth, broken jaw, or thousands of dollars in emergency dental work.

For athletes of all ages, oral health often takes a backseat to training and performance. But the numbers tell a different story: dental injuries account for 13–39% of all sports-related trauma, making them one of the most common preventable injuries on the field, court, or rink.
(Journal of Pharmacy & BioAllied Sciences, 2025)

Whether you're a weekend warrior, youth athlete, or competitive player, understanding how sports affect your oral health and how to protect it, is essential for staying in the game.

The Hidden Risks: What Research Reveals About Sports and Teeth

Dental Trauma Is More Common Than You Think

Studies in sports medicine and dental journals show that oral injuries make up up to one-third of all athletic trauma. Contact sports like football, hockey, basketball, soccer, and boxing carry the highest risk, but even non-contact sports like gymnastics or cycling can result in dental harm.

Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable during critical developmental years.

Mouthguards Work. Really Well

The evidence is clear: properly fitted mouthguards reduce the risk of tooth injury by up to 60%, with some studies showing protection rates as high as 90%.

• Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist offer superior protection compared to over-the-counter boil-and-bite or stock options.
• Athletes without mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental harm (ADA & IADT).

👉 Protecting your teeth isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Sports Drinks Are Sabotaging Your Enamel

Many athletes don’t realize that sports drinks are a double threat: they’re sugary and acidic. This accelerates enamel erosion and cavities, especially when consumed during workouts.
(Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 2021)

Why sports drinks can be worse than soda:

• High acid content (low pH) softens enamel
• Sugar feeds bacteria that create even more acid
• Frequent sipping prolongs exposure
• Exercise-induced dry mouth means less saliva protection

How to Protect Your Smile

1. Invest in a Custom-Fitted Mouthguard

A custom mouthguard from your dentist:

• Fits comfortably and stays in place
• Allows normal breathing and speaking
• Provides maximum shock absorption
• Lasts longer than store-bought versions

Who needs one? Anyone in contact sports (football, hockey, boxing) and even athletes in activities like skateboarding, gymnastics, or mountain biking.

2. Rethink Your Hydration Strategy

• Choose water as your main hydration source
• Use sports drinks only for intense or prolonged activity
• Rinse with water immediately after consuming sugary or acidic drinks
• Avoid sipping all day drink, then rinse
• Try sugar-free electrolyte alternatives

Smart oral care tools like the Feno Smartbrush help athletes recover faster from enamel stress by removing plaque efficiently, supporting both hydration and protection habits.

3. Schedule Regular Athletic Dental Checkups

Your dentist can:

• Screen for early enamel wear or trauma
• Check mouthguard fit and durability
• Provide fluoride treatments to strengthen teeth
• Create a personalized oral care plan for athletes

Athletes should see their dentist at least twice yearly, or more often if playing high-contact sports.

Bottom Line: Keep Your Oral Health in the Game

Sports deliver incredible benefits for fitness, mental health, and teamwork but protecting your teeth must be part of your training regimen.

With simple preventive measures like wearing a properly fitted mouthguard, choosing smarter hydration strategies, and keeping up with regular dental care, you can avoid costly, painful injuries and keep your smile strong.