Can a Mouth Guard Prevent a Concussion?

Sports mouth guards are essential protective equipment in many activities—but can they prevent a concussion?

The responsible answer is: not reliably enough to be considered concussion-prevention equipment. Research on whether mouth guards reduce concussion risk has produced mixed results. Their established benefit is helping reduce the risk and severity of injuries to the teeth, lips, cheeks and other oral structures during sports.

Why are mouth guards associated with concussion prevention?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a force that makes the brain move rapidly within the skull. It can occur after a direct blow to the head or a forceful impact to the body that causes the head to move quickly.

Because a mouth guard sits between the upper and lower teeth, it is reasonable to ask whether it might absorb or change forces that travel through the jaw during an impact. That question has been studied for decades. Some research has reported an association between mouth guard use and lower concussion rates in certain groups of athletes; other studies have found no meaningful difference.

Major reviews and the American Dental Association describe the evidence as mixed and less consistent than the evidence for dental and orofacial protection. That is why a sports mouth guard should not be presented as proven protection against concussion or brain injury.

What sports mouth guards reliably help protect

The case for wearing a sports mouth guard is still very strong. A properly fitted guard provides a resilient protective surface over the teeth and can help reduce the risk and severity of:

chipped, fractured, displaced or knocked-out teeth
injuries to the lips, cheeks and tongue caused by contact with the teeth
some jaw and oral soft-tissue injuries during impact

These are not minor concerns. Permanent teeth do not grow back, and sports-related dental trauma can mean emergency treatment and long-term restorative care. For a broader overview of this protection, read why athletes should wear a mouth guard for sports.

Why a mouth guard is not a substitute for concussion safety

No conventional mouth guard can make an athlete concussion-proof. It cannot prevent every movement of the head and brain that may occur during a collision, fall, tackle or body impact.

Concussion safety requires multiple layers of protection that depend on the sport: appropriate helmets and face protection when required, rule enforcement, safe coaching and technique, prompt recognition of possible symptoms, and following the team, school or governing body's return-to-play process.

If an athlete may have a concussion, they should be removed from play and assessed according to the sport's established concussion protocol. A mouth guard is not a diagnostic tool, and feeling fine immediately after an impact does not establish that it is safe to return to activity.

What should you do after a suspected concussion?

Stop play and notify the appropriate coach, athletic trainer, parent or medical professional. Possible concussion symptoms can include headache, dizziness, nausea, balance problems, confusion, vision changes, sensitivity to light or noise, unusual drowsiness, or feeling slowed down.

Follow the evaluation and return-to-play guidance required by the athlete's school, league or governing organization. Seek emergency care for danger signs such as worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizure, unusual behavior, increasing confusion, weakness, slurred speech, unequal pupils, loss of consciousness, or difficulty waking the athlete.

Does a custom sports mouth guard offer better concussion protection?

It would be too broad to say that a custom sports mouth guard prevents concussions better than every properly fitted boil-and-bite guard. Current evidence does not support that claim.

Custom fabrication can, however, offer practical benefits that matter for dental protection: fit, retention, coverage, border shape, comfort and the ability to communicate. A guard that stays securely in place and feels comfortable is more likely to be worn consistently through practice and games.

For a direct comparison of athletic guard types, see boil-and-bite vs. custom mouth guards for sports.

What makes a sports mouth guard protective?

Protection is not determined by one feature alone. The American Dental Association describes an athletic mouth guard as properly fitted, resilient, secure, comfortable and appropriately adapted to the athlete's oral structures.

When choosing one, look for a guard that:

stays in position without constant biting or readjustment
covers the dental arch it is designed to protect
has smooth, comfortable edges
is made for athletic impact rather than nighttime grinding
is appropriate for the sport and is worn consistently

Thickness is part of the design conversation, but thicker is not automatically better if bulk makes an athlete less likely to wear the guard. Fit, retention, material, construction and the type of contact all matter together. Our sports dental-injury prevention guide explains how these factors work together.

How Sentinel approaches sports mouth protection

Sentinel’s Shock-Zorbent Sports Mouth Guard is individually fabricated from an at-home dental impression or compatible digital dental scan. A dental model allows the guard to be adapted to the athlete’s teeth rather than relying on a generic stock shape.

That custom approach is intended to support a secure, comfortable athletic fit. It should never be understood as a guarantee against concussion, brain injury or every dental injury. The goal is practical, well-fitting protection for the teeth and mouth during sport.

Explore Sentinel’s custom Shock-Zorbent Sports Mouth Guard if you want a lab-made option designed around your own teeth.

Frequently asked questions

Can a mouth guard prevent a concussion?

Research is mixed. Some studies have reported lower concussion rates among mouth guard users, while others have not found a significant protective effect. A mouth guard should not be relied on as proven concussion-prevention equipment.

Do mouth guards protect teeth during sports?

Yes. Evidence is much stronger and more consistent for reducing sports-related dental and orofacial injuries. A properly fitted sports mouth guard can help protect the teeth and oral soft tissues during impacts.

Can I use a sports mouth guard as a night guard?

Usually, no. Sports mouth guards are designed for athletic impacts, while night guards are designed for repeated tooth-to-tooth forces from grinding and clenching. They are not automatically interchangeable.

Should a mouth guard stay in place without biting down?

Yes. Retention matters. A guard that constantly falls out, shifts around or requires continuous clenching to hold it in place may not fit appropriately.

The bottom line

A sports mouth guard is one of the most established ways to help reduce dental and orofacial injuries during sports. Wear one for the protection it is known to provide—not as a promise that concussion cannot happen.

Use the full set of safety equipment and protocols required for your sport, and take every possible concussion seriously.

Can a Mouth Guard Prevent a Concussion? What the Evidence Says