The absolute best way for Bowie High School athletes to protect their teeth and jaws is to wear a properly fitted sports mouthguard every practice and game and to see a dentist quickly after any hard hit to the face or head. Custom mouthguards help prevent broken teeth, cut lips, and some jaw injuries.

They may also reduce the severity of some concussions, although they cannot prevent every concussion. If your teen is active in sports, we are here to help. We regularly see student-athletes from Bowie High School and surrounding neighborhoods at Auslander Dental in Gambrills.

Why High School Athletes’ Teeth Are at Risk

High school sports are faster and more competitive than ever before. Contact sports like football, lacrosse, and wrestling obviously put your teen right in the line of fire. However, “almost-contact” sports are just as risky. Basketball, soccer, field hockey, and cheerleading involve sudden stops, flying elbows, and fast-moving equipment. When athletes collide or fall, the face often takes the impact.

Without proper protection, these sudden impacts cause very serious damage. Common sports dental injuries include:

  • Chipped and broken teeth.

  • Knocked-out teeth.

  • Severe cuts on the lips, cheeks, and tongue.

  • Jaw joint (TMJ) sprains or fractures.

Protecting a growing smile requires a proactive plan. A simple piece of safety equipment can mean the difference between a quick dust-off and a trip to the emergency room.

Mouthguards 101: How They Protect Teeth, Jaws, and Maybe Brains

In simple terms, a sports mouthguard is a flexible appliance worn during sports to protect teeth from trauma and injury. It acts as a shock absorber for the lower half of the face.

A mouthguard plays three key protective roles during a game. First, it cushions direct blows to the teeth and jaw. Second, it spreads out the impact forces to reduce the chance of fractured or knocked-out teeth. Third, it helps stabilize the jaw and reduce some force transfer to the jaw joint and skull.

There is an important ongoing conversation about concussions in high school sports. While some research suggests custom mouthguards can help mitigate concussion severity by absorbing and dispersing impacts, they are not a magic shield. A mouthguard is never a substitute for wearing a proper helmet, following the rules, and adhering to strict school concussion protocols.

Custom Mouthguards vs Boil-and-Bite vs Store-Bought

Not all sports guards offer the same level of protection. Current position statements show that custom-made sports mouthguards reduce dental trauma and jaw injuries far more than store-bought options. Here is a simple breakdown of the choices available to parents.

Type Fit and protection Best for
Custom-made mouthguards Professionally designed to fit one exact athlete’s teeth and gums. They resist deformation and significantly reduce dental trauma. High school athletes needing maximum protection, comfort, and easy breathing on the field.
Boil-and-bite guards Heated in water and bitten into for a loose shape. They offer better protection than nothing but are often thicker and less comfortable. Growing kids whose teeth are changing rapidly, or as a temporary backup guard.
Generic stock guards Ready to wear right out of the package. They are the least protective, do not fit well, and often interfere with speech. Emergency situations only, as they are often left in the locker room due to poor comfort.

Boil-and-bite guards are easily chewed on and worn incorrectly. Stock guards often make it hard to talk or breathe during heavy running. We highly recommend talking to us about a custom guard during your teen’s routine preventative care visits before the sports season begins.

Concussions and Mouthguards: What They Can and Cannot Do

Parents and coaches always want to know if a mouthguard can stop a concussion. The answer requires looking at the current research. Custom-fitted mouthguards reduce dental trauma and jaw injuries. They may also reduce concussion severity in some sports by stabilizing the jaw and absorbing impact.

However, they absolutely do not guarantee concussion prevention. You must treat a mouthguard as just one layer of protection alongside helmets, safe tackling rules, neck training, and school concussion protocols.

When a player takes a hard hit to the chin, the lower jaw can slam upward. This transmits a massive amount of force directly to the skull and brain. By cushioning that specific area, a mouthguard helps absorb the shock in some impacts. Even so, if an athlete has any signs of a concussion after a hit, they must be pulled from play immediately. Warning signs include a headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, or vision changes. They must be evaluated by a medical professional, even if they were wearing a mouthguard.

Special Considerations for Athletes With Braces or Invisalign

Having braces or clear aligners changes how a mouthguard should be made and worn. If your teen is currently improving their smile, they need specialized protection.

For teens with traditional braces, mouthguards must allow extra room for metal brackets and wires. If a sports ball hits the face, the braces can easily cut the inside of the lips and cheeks. A proper guard acts as a smooth barrier while still absorbing the main impact.

For teens using clear aligners, the rules are slightly different. We provide comprehensive Invisalign treatment in Gambrills for many student-athletes. Usually, the thin plastic aligners should not serve as the only protection during a game. Depending on the sport and the stage of treatment, a custom guard may be worn over the trays, or the trays might be removed entirely during high-contact play.

If trays are removed for a game, hygiene becomes very important. Athletes cannot just throw their trays into a dirty gym bag. We teach our teens how to keep Invisalign trays clean before and after every practice to prevent cavities. We always encourage families to let us coordinate the sports mouthguard plan with the orthodontic plan so everything works together smoothly.

How Auslander Dental Builds a Game Plan for Bowie High School Athletes

We take student-athlete safety very seriously. When a Bowie High School student visits us for a sports guard, we follow a specific game plan.

First, we perform a baseline exam to check the current health of their teeth, bite, and jaw joints. Next, we have a detailed discussion about the specific sports they play. A football lineman has different needs than a soccer goalie or a competitive cheerleader. We note their position and their season schedule.

Then, we take highly accurate digital impressions or physical scans of their mouth. This allows our lab to create a perfect custom sports mouthguard. We can even add team colors if the athlete wants to show some school pride. Creating personalized, high-tech solutions is just one part of what sets our team apart.

Finally, we emphasize follow-up checks. We evaluate the guard each season to confirm the fit. We must adjust the plan for jaw growth, orthodontic progress, and heavy wear and tear. You can view examples of our dedication to healthy, intact smiles in our smile gallery.

What to Do if a Tooth Is Chipped, Knocked Loose, or Knocked Out

Even with the best preparation, accidents happen on the field. Having a clear, parent-friendly action plan keeps everyone calm during an emergency.

Chipped or broken tooth

Have the athlete rinse their mouth with warm water. Try to find and save any broken pieces of the tooth in a small container of milk or saliva. Call your dentist as soon as possible for emergency dental care to seal the tooth and prevent infection.

Tooth knocked loose or moved

If a tooth is pushed backward or looks loose, do not wiggle it. Keep it in place as gently as possible. See a dentist quickly that exact same day so we can splint the tooth and help it heal in the correct position.

Tooth completely knocked out

This is a severe emergency. Find the tooth and pick it up by the top crown area, never by the delicate root. Gently rinse it with water if it is covered in dirt, but do not scrub it. Try to place it back into the socket immediately. If that is not possible, keep the tooth submerged in a cup of cold milk. You must get the athlete to a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Always remember that any significant head impact that causes a dental injury should also be evaluated for a concussion by a medical doctor.

FAQs – Mouthguards, Concussions, and Bowie High School Sports

Do I really need a mouthguard for non-contact sports like basketball or soccer at Bowie High?

Yes, you absolutely do. Basketball, soccer, and many other “non-contact” sports still feature frequent collisions, flying elbows, and hard falls. Mouthguards are strongly recommended for these sports even when league rules do not officially require them.

Can a sports mouthguard prevent concussions, or does it only protect my teeth?

Mouthguards are proven to reduce dental and jaw injuries significantly. They may also help reduce the severity of some concussions by absorbing and dispersing impact forces away from the skull. However, they cannot guarantee concussion prevention under any circumstances.

What is the difference between a custom mouthguard and a boil-and-bite from the store?

A custom guard is designed by a dentist to fit every curve of a specific athlete’s teeth, making it thinner yet far more protective. Boil-and-bite guards are much bulkier, less precise, and much more likely to be chewed up or left in the locker room.

How often should my high school athlete replace their mouthguard?

We recommend replacing sports mouthguards at least every single season. You should replace them even sooner if they are cracked, heavily distorted, or no longer fit correctly due to jaw growth or new orthodontic changes.

What should we do if my teen has a chipped or knocked-out tooth after a game?

You must stay calm, find the tooth or the broken pieces, and keep them moist in a cup of cold milk. Do not touch the root of a knocked-out tooth. Call your dentist immediately for urgent care, as time is critical.

Can my teen wear Invisalign or braces and still use a sports mouthguard?

Yes, athletes with braces or Invisalign can and absolutely should use mouthguards during play. Auslander Dental can create specialized guards that comfortably work around metal brackets or fit perfectly with their clear aligner treatment.

Ready to Protect Your Bowie High School Athlete’s Smile?

A properly fitted sports mouthguard and a clear plan for what to do after a hit are the easiest ways to protect a Bowie High School athlete’s teeth, jaw, and long-term smile. We want your teen to play hard, have fun, and stay totally safe this season. We invite families in Bowie, Gambrills, and nearby communities to contact our Gambrills team to schedule a sports mouthguard visit or a baseline student-athlete checkup before the next practice begins. Call us at 301-517-7335 to secure your appointment today.