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[Do mouthguards improve performance in sports?]
1Kindt and Reukers orthodontists, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Tandheelkunde
|October 8, 2025
Summary
Mouthguards, traditionally for safety, may enhance athletic performance in strength, agility, and endurance. Custom-fitted mouthguards show better results than standard ones, offering potential performance benefits beyond injury prevention.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Mouthguards are primarily used for preventing oral injuries in contact sports.
- Emerging research indicates potential performance-enhancing effects of mouthguards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on the effects of mouthguards on athletic performance.
- To compare the efficacy of different types of mouthguards for performance enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating mouthguards and sports performance.
- Analysis of proposed physiological mechanisms for performance improvement.
Main Results:
- Mouthguards may improve strength, aerobic/anaerobic performance, agility, balance, and flexibility.
- Performance enhancement is potentially linked to temporomandibular joint positioning and jaw clenching.
- Custom-made mouthguards appear more effective than standard or boil-and-bite types.
Conclusions:
- Mouthguards offer potential performance benefits in addition to safety.
- Athletes and coaches should consider mouthguards for both protection and performance enhancement.
- Custom mouthguards are recommended for optimal performance outcomes.
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