Direct answer Yes — and the best mouthguard is the one your player will actually keep in. Soccer rarely mandates them, yet orofacial injuries make up a real share of the game's injuries, and most happen when no guard is worn. A dentist-made custom guard protects best; boil-and-bite is a fair budget option; stock guards are the last resort.

Watch a Sunday-league match and you'll see shin pads on every leg and a mouthguard in almost no mouth. The gear math is backwards. A bruised shin heals on its own; a front tooth snapped on an opponent's elbow does not grow back.

Here's the angle generic guides miss: a guard's protection rating and its real-world protection are not the same number. A "high-protection" guard left in a kit bag protects nothing. Comfort and fit decide outcomes far more than the spec sheet does.

The three types of mouthguard (FDI definitions)

The FDI World Dental Federation groups sports mouthguards into three families. The differences are real, and they map almost exactly onto price.

Citable line The FDI World Dental Federation recognises three mouthguard types — stock, boil-and-bite and custom-made — with custom guards made from an impression or 3D scan giving the best fit.

How common are dental injuries in soccer?

More common than players assume. The National Athletic Trainers' Association reports that orofacial injuries account for a meaningful slice of injuries in sports that don't mandate guards, soccer among them. A 2025 study of soccer players found a high rate of orofacial injury set against very low mouthguard use — the gap that lets the damage happen.

Do mouthguards actually prevent injury?

For dental trauma, the evidence is consistent: players who skip a guard are injured at a notably higher rate than those who wear one. The ADA and JADA back mouthguards for cutting sports oral injuries.

Be honest about the limit, though — guards clearly protect teeth and soft tissue, but the evidence that they prevent concussion is mixed. Recommend them confidently for the mouth, not the brain.

For clinics: turning World Cup buzz into appointments

A tournament summer is a ready-made reason to run custom-fitting days for local clubs and schools, ideally bundled with a check-up. Chips spotted at the fitting can often be smoothed the same visit with an LED curing light and composite. For the wider injury picture, pair this with the pillar on what to do if a tooth is knocked out (planned) and the guide to mouthguards for young players (planned).

FAQ

Do professional soccer players wear mouthguards?

Few do, despite the risk — a gap that dentists can turn into a clear recommendation for amateur and youth players.

How long does a custom guard last?

Usually one to three seasons for an adult; growing children need replacements more often.

Is a boil-and-bite guard good enough?

For casual play, a well-formed boil-and-bite guard is far better than nothing. For regular competitive play, a custom guard fits better and gets worn more.