09/10/2026
🏒 Mouthguards do more than protect teeth.
The latest international Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport reported that mouthguard use was associated with a 28% lower concussion rate in ice hockey across all age groups. Based on this evidence, the expert panel recommended that mouthguards be mandated in child and adolescent hockey and supported at all levels of play.
A mouthguard should:
- Fit snugly and stay securely in place
- Allow the athlete to breathe and speak comfortably
- Be worn consistently during practices and games
- Be replaced if it becomes damaged, worn or no longer fits properly
Mouthguards cannot prevent every concussion—and wearing one should never change how a possible concussion is handled. If a concussion is suspected, the player should still be removed from play and appropriately assessed.
But as one part of a broader concussion-prevention strategy, a properly fitted mouthguard is a small piece of equipment that may offer meaningful protection.
Reference: Patricios JS et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport—Amsterdam 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023.