Should I (or My Child) Wear a Mouthguard for Wrestling?

Introduction

In sports like football or hockey, mouthguards are automatic—you would not dream of playing without one. In wrestling, it is more mixed. You will see some wrestlers with a mouthguard every match, others only when they get braces, and many who never wear one at all.

So parents naturally ask: "Does my wrestler really need a mouthguard?"

This article will explain:

• When mouthguards are required
• What they actually protect
• Pros and cons for youth wrestlers
• How to pick one that your child might actually wear

Important: This article is for general information only and is not medical or dental advice. If you have specific concerns, talk to your child’s dentist, orthodontist, or doctor.

When Are Mouthguards Required in Wrestling?

Exact rules vary by state, sanctioning body, and event, so always read the tournament flyer and ask your coach. In general:

Wrestlers with Braces or Orthodontic Devices

At the high school level in the U.S., if a wrestler has braces or certain orthodontic appliances, a mouth protector is typically required to cover those devices during competition. Many youth programs follow this same standard.

Wrestlers without Braces

For most youth and scholastic folkstyle wrestling, a mouthguard is recommended but not required if the wrestler does not have braces. Some clubs, leagues, or tournaments add their own rules and may require mouthguards for everyone.

USA Wrestling, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman

In many USA Wrestling events, mouthguards are not required for wrestlers without braces, but are strongly recommended for wrestlers with braces or other dental risk factors.

Because this is all rulebook-dependent, the safest plan is to:

1. Check your state or club rules.
2. Read the tournament information carefully.
3. When in doubt, bring a mouthguard so your wrestler is never held out of a match over equipment.

What Does a Mouthguard Protect?

A properly fitted mouthguard is designed to:

• Reduce dental injuries: Helps protect against chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth if there is a sudden impact to the jaw or mouth.
• Protect lips, cheeks, and gums: Especially with braces, a bump can drive the brackets into the inside of the lips or cheeks. A mouthguard adds a smooth barrier.
• Help absorb some impact to the jaw: While the science is still evolving on how much this affects concussion risk, most dental and sports organizations agree that mouthguards play an important role in protecting the mouth and jaw.

For wrestling specifically, common situations where a mouthguard helps include:

• Accidental head clashes
• Knees or elbows catching the face in scrambles
• Hitting the mat face-first on a hard landing
• Teeth biting down unexpectedly during a fall

Pros of Wearing a Mouthguard in Wrestling

Even if it is not required, there are some strong reasons to consider a mouthguard:

• Protection with braces: Brackets and wires can easily cut lips and cheeks. Many orthodontists strongly recommend (or insist on) a mouthguard for any contact sport while in braces.
• Lower risk of expensive dental work: Fixing a broken or knocked-out tooth is not cheap and can mean long-term work for your child. A mouthguard is a low-cost way to reduce that risk.
• Peace of mind for parents: For a lot of parents, knowing their child’s teeth are protected makes it easier to enjoy the sport.

Common Concerns and Downsides

Of course, wrestlers (and parents) have complaints:

• Breathing and talking: Poorly fitted or bulky guards can make it harder to breathe deeply or call out during a match.
• Comfort: If the guard is too big or the material is too thick, kids will chew on it, spit it out, or “forget” to put it in.
• Communication with coaches: Especially for newer wrestlers, it can feel awkward to speak clearly with a basic guard in.

These issues are usually minimized by choosing the right type and getting a good fit, rather than skipping the guard entirely.

Types of Mouthguards (and Which Work Best for Wrestlers)

There are three common categories:

Stock (Ready-Made) Mouthguards

• Come pre-formed in a few sizes
• Cheapest, but often bulky and uncomfortable
• Usually not a great option, especially with braces

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

• Softened in hot water, then molded to your child’s teeth
• Widely available and relatively affordable
• Quality varies a lot; look for ones specifically designed for braces if your child has them

Custom Mouthguards (From a Dentist)

• Made from an impression of your child’s teeth
• Best fit, most comfortable, and often easiest to breathe and talk with
• More expensive up front, but may be worth it for serious wrestlers or those with braces

For many youth wrestlers, a good braces-friendly boil-and-bite or a custom guard from the dentist are the most realistic options.

Special Considerations for Wrestlers with Braces

If your wrestler has braces:

• Check the rules: Many high school and youth leagues require a mouthguard that covers the braces fully, sometimes on both upper and lower teeth if both have appliances.
• Ask your orthodontist: They may have specific recommendations or preferred brands and can help ensure the mouthguard does not interfere with treatment.
• Look for braces-compatible guards: These are designed to protect both the teeth and the inside of the lips and cheeks from the brackets and wires as your child wrestles.

How to Help Your Wrestler Actually Wear a Mouthguard

If you decide that a mouthguard is a good idea (or the rules require it), here are a few tips so it does not just become a pocket accessory:

• Involve your wrestler in the choice: Let them help pick the style and, when allowed by rules, the color. If they like it, they are more likely to wear it.
• Get the fit right from day one: Follow the instructions carefully for boil-and-bite guards. If it does not feel right, redo the fit or try a different model.
• Practice with it: Have them wear the mouthguard during practice—not just at tournaments—until it feels normal to breathe, talk, and wrestle with it in.
• Set simple rules: For example, “Any live wrestling or matches = mouthguard goes in.” Being consistent removes the debate before every practice.

So… Should My Child Wear a Mouthguard?

Here is one way to think about it:

• Braces or orthodontic appliances?
  Realistically, yes. It is often required and strongly recommended for safety.
• No braces, but wrestling regularly and competing in tournaments?
  A mouthguard is still a smart choice, especially as kids get bigger and matches get more intense.
• Brand new to the sport and only practicing lightly?
  Talk with your coach and dentist. Even at this stage, a mouthguard reduces the risk of an unlucky dental injury.

At the end of the day, you are balancing comfort vs. protection. For many families—especially once they have seen a bloody lip or chipped tooth matside—the scale tips in favor of wearing one.

Conclusion

Mouthguards will not prevent every injury, and they do take some getting used to. But for many youth wrestlers— especially those with braces—they are an important piece of safety equipment that can prevent painful (and expensive) dental problems.

Work with your wrestler, their coach, and their dental team to choose an option that fits well, feels manageable, and keeps them on the mat with a healthy smile.

Next Step: Put It to Use

If you have decided to add a mouthguard to your wrestler’s gear bag, the next step is putting it to use in real matches. Use MapWrestling to find upcoming tournaments near you, then check out our other articles on travel, packing, nutrition, and gear so you and your wrestler feel prepared for the whole season.