Thomas has a lifelong passion for sports, from basketball and soccer to golf and baseball. His athletic journey took him from city courts to muddy fields. Today, his enthusiasm remains undiminished, evident from the games constantly playing in his living room and the surrounding sports magazines. Read more about him here.
Basketball is a high-contact sport with a high risk of injuries. You may be protecting your joints, legs, and feet, but what about the need for protection againstdental injuries? If you are not using mouthguards to protect yourself against dental trauma, you need to take a look at these best basketball mouthguards because you definitely need one.
In high-contact sports such as basketball, the risk of collisions, accidents, and resultant trauma is always there. But you cannot focus on protecting your body from injuries rather than on winning the game. Dental protective gear, mainly mouthguard is the perfect way to perform your best while keeping yourself safe.
This article picks top basketball mouthguards and reviews them for making your decision easy and wise.
SISU Sports Mouth Guard is a quick mold and re-mold type of mouthguard. SISU has used a unique approach to making this mouthguard super convenient, comfortable, hygienic, and with impact protection. If you look at it, it looks nothing like a jaw. Instead, this mouthguard is a really thin piece of plastic!
The technology at play here is that you put the mold in hot water for one minute, after which it becomes super-moldable. When you put this ultra-thin mouthguard over your teeth, you feel it conforming snugly with your teeth and mouth.
With a thickness of a mere 1.6 mm, this mouthguard is going to be the most comfortable one you will ever see!
For the protection part, SISU mouthguards use a proprietary SISU material which is 36% stronger than the conventional EVA material. Besides, this thin material is non-compressible and perforated to allow the impact or force to distribute over a larger area rather than causing trauma to the narrow target region.
SISU is also offering hefty dental insurance, which speaks volumes about how safe you stand with this mouthguard!
Pros
50% thinner than most other mouthguards; super comfortable
Reliable dental insurance
Diffuse impact distribution
Proprietary SISU material is way stronger than the EVA material
Moldable with hot water
Cons
These may prove a bit thin for some high-impact sports
OPRO self-fit mouthguards are one of the most powerful options you can have. The inner channel uses the gel flow to create a custom, secure mouth protection, unique for you.
When you put your mouthguard in freshly boiled water, the gel takes a more liquid, moldable form. After that, fix it in your mouth and see how perfectly it fits embracing your teeth and the surrounding soft tissue.
OPRO uses the data of almost 1 million dental impressions to design and structure the fins for ultimate comfort and protection. So that you won’t have to take it down to speak, eat, drink, or breathe comfortably.
You also get dental protection worth up to 15000 dollars in case dental trauma or damage happens while you had your OPRO mouthguard on.
One downside, however, is there to this almost perfect basketball mouthguard. It is a bit bulky. You will not feel uncomfortable in any way but the mass and look of this mouthguard are heavy.
Pros
Tough and durable material that protects against direct impact
15000-dollar dental insurance
Provides a unique mold for your mouth
Gel flow provides shock absorption and secure fitting
This Impact Custom mouthguard is for those who want their mouthguard to fit their mouth to the tiniest of the dimension. The brand provides you with a Super Simple Fit Kit to get your tooth impressions. And then these impressions get shipped to their labs. After two weeks, you get your custom-made, unique mouthguards.
These mouthguards have been specially designed for heavy-duty dental protection in non-helmeted sports such as basketball. Impact Custom has been in the custom-made mouthguards for almost three decades, so we also trust their quality and durability.
Impact Custom is breathable and dependably shock-absorbent. Besides, these will come for a smaller price as compared to going to a dentist first. At the same time, these are way more expensive than the boil and bite mouthguards given the customer service the company provides.
Pros
BPA-free material
100% fit guarantee; covers all adjacent costs
Easy speech, breathing, and swallowing
Heavy-duty protection and shock absorbance
Cons
The company does not provide a dental warranty
Expensive than the boil and bite mouthguards
These take up to 14 business days to get delivered to you.
If you are concerned about the thin material of the SISU Sports Mouthguard (1.6 mm), here is SISU Max 2.4 mm Mouthguard for some extra protection. This is even more strongly recommended for kids above 11, as the 2.4 mm mouthguard offers a better physical barrier.
It is still 30 % thinner than most conventional mouthguards for the same convenience of swallowing, drinking, and breathing. Since you won’t be taking them off and on, several times, it also ensures dental hygiene, which is especially important for our young basketball champions.
This mouthguard features a bite pad wider than the 1.6 mm one, for total protection and comfort. The rounded edges also help the mouthguard feel like you are not wearing anything there. The premium warranty applies to this mouthguard as well.
Another impact-protection feature on this mouthguard is the Diffusix technology which helps distribute the impact and protects the directly targeted areas.
Pros
2.4 mm thickness for better protection than the SISU Aero mouthguard
Recommended for high-impact sports such as basketball
Venum Challenger mouthguard is an affordable option if you are looking for something with mediocre performance and a small price. This mouthguard comes with two layers like the most premium line mouthguards. The outer layer is a durable rubber that provides a strong shock-absorbent effect.
The inner layer is made of Nextfit gel, which is a soft, flowing material making the mouthguard lightweight and moldable. The mouthguard also comes with a case for better hygiene, storage, and easy maintenance.
For such a small price, this mouthguard comes with some advanced features such as an integrated set of breathing channels. Also, the Venum Challenger mouthguard offers you a variety of colors to choose from so that you can match your outfit every day!
The inner gel layer offers comfort and room for adjustment, but you won’t get a close, unique fit. We don’t expect a substantial dental warranty for this price, but one-size-fits-all is the biggest con with this mouthguard.
This gel max mouthguard is actually a strong and durable plastic frame lined by a thick layer of gel. This gel layer is the secret to its moldability and provides a unique impression for your teeth and soft tissues.
When you put it in hot water, the gel expands and becomes soft. Make sure you bite it hard to get a perfect mold that lines your mouth snugly. The moldability of the gel lining allows you to take mold it several times until you get your perfect fit.
What basketball players love in the Shock Doctor Mouth Guard is that it comes in various colors and flavors. These fun variants are extremely attractive for kids, and parents can easily get their young ones to wear mouthguards for protection.
The integrated breathing channels ensure adequate and comfortable breathing even when you are panting in the middle of an intense game. The durable plastic frame is extremely shock-absorbent.
An important point to note here is that you need to be very careful with the molding process. Allow the gel to expand sufficiently so that you don’t end up with a small and uncomfortable mouthguard.
This is definitely one of the best choices if you are looking for a budget option. Hoopstar basketball mouth guards do not come in fun, attractive color ranges or flavors, or with a fancy, complex structure. It’s just your basic mouthguard that does a little bit of everything for you for a small price!
Firstly, the material is BPA- and latex-free. These are custom-fit, so you don’t have to worry the least even if you have braces or some orthodontic device in your mouth.
This mouthguard uses comfortable and durable EVA material which is incredibly tough when it comes to your dental protection on the basketball court. The thick base provides additional cushion.
It’s tough and firm, but you will need to change your mouthguard sooner than many other premium line mouthguards. This is because you will begin to feel loose fitting.
Other than that, these mouthguards are a perfect way to get your young basketballers to wear gum protection.
Redline Sportswear Mouthguards entertain people who prefer to go for relatively low-profile mouth protection, for kids, or for basketball practice. The price and features all go in line with this purpose.
This mouthguard uses safe materials for manufacture, which are free from latex, PVC, and BPA. Your Redline mouthguards package will include a case and a carabiner. These will help you protect your mouthguard for longer durability and carry it conveniently with your gym bag.
The dual-layer design offers impact protection and moldability. The inner gel layer helps distribute the shock on a larger area and hence minimizes the degree of possible trauma.
Redline Custom-molded mouthguards use a boil and bite design for molding. Despite the molding, the overall build of this mouthguard is a bit wider than its competitors. This can be beneficial for athletes who use brackets or some other orthodontic supplements. At the same time, it can as a fitting problem for some people.
Pros
Suitable for players who wear brackets
Safe construction material
Case and carabiner included in the package
Double-layer design for protection
Cons
The shape of the mouthguard is a bit wide for some people
Choosing Best Basketball Mouthguard – Our Buying Guide
Mouthguards are an important part of your safety gear for basketball. You should consider the following factors when buying your mouth protection:
Fit
The fit of your mouthguard is the most important factor in making a decision. The mouthguard should fit in your mouth with a single push of your fingers. Too small or too bulky mouthguards are going to do no good for your protection or comfort. instead, you are going to take it off if it annoys you while you try to focus on your game.
Several boil-and-bite mouthguards offer quality moldability and hence a close fit. Custom-made ones provide a professional unique mouthguard for ultimate protection and comfort. These mouthguards are pretty durable too. But the cost factor goes very high for custom-made mouthguards.
Convenience and Comfort
You should look for some advanced features in your mouthguard that ensure sufficient comfort and convenience. For instance, some mouthguards from decent brands come with integrated breathing channels so that you don’t feel like losing your breath while performing.
Your mouthguard should be convenient enough to allow you to drink, swallow, and talk without having to take it off. This is because when you are in the middle of a basketball game, you need to call out your fellows, talk, drink water to rehydrate, and breathe heavily.
For this convenience and comfort, you should make sure that you invest in a mouthguard that fits you well, is not too bulky or obstructive, and feels like you do not have anything in your mouth.
Protection
A good mouthguard uses durable and shock-absorbent material for the outer layer. Most mouthguards use the EVA material, but we do not know the complete list of ingredients they use.
However, we know the level of protection each type of mouthguard offers. A 2004 study reveals that the stock mouthguards that come ready to wear offer minimum protection. The boil and bite ones offer a mediocre level of impact protection, whereas the custom-made mouthguards provide the maximum level of protection.
Dental Insurance
Mouthguard manufacturers that offer dental insurance are always better options to go for. it’s not about the insurance so much. Dental insurance, in fact, speaks about the quality, durability, and protection of the mouthguard.
Mouthguard Case
The mouthguard case in the package goes a long way in improving the life and hygiene of your mouthguard. while you can buy one yourself, but it is better that it comes included in the package. So that the case closely fits and encases the mouthguard for efficient protection and hygiene.
Best Basketball Mouthguard – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Mouthguard Does Steph Curry Use?
Steph Curry uses the MOGO M1 mouthguard which is chewable and flavorful. That is why we see him chewing on his mouthguard.
What Mouthguards Do NBA Players Use?
NBA players can be seen using various kinds and brands of mouthguards, ranging from the basic ones to the most advanced, custom-made ones. Mostly, NBA has its sponsor brands which the players are bound to wear.
Why Do Basketball Players Wear Mouthguards?
It is important for basketball players to wear mouthguards because basketball is an intensely physical sport. Athletes can end up with chipped or broken teeth, root and bone damage, or gum pains. Mouthguards offer protection against such accidents.
Final Thoughts
The above list of the best basketball mouthguards will help you choose the most suitable one for your dental protection. Mouthguards may be a bit underrated, but they still should be an important part of your basketball safety gear.
Dental trauma in sports such as basketball can lead to some serious issues such as tooth extraction or nerve damage. So, whether you are playing with friends for a casual practice match or a serious basketball championship, never forget to ensure your mouth protection.
