Soccer is a high-impact sport that frequently requires players to protect themselves up to their teeth despite being played with their feet. Just as with most sports, players are susceptible to various degrees of injuries. Every player on the pitch, irrespective of position, wears one form of protective gear.
The mouth is also subjected to impact, raising questions of whether soccer goalies wear mouthguards to protect their teeth.
Given that goalkeepers, like other soccer players, rarely use their heads or faces to move the ball, there have been questions about the need for such mouthguards.
To answer these questions, we go into great detail, in this article, to learn if goalies wear mouthguards; and, if so, where and how they put them on.
The article will also look at the benefits and drawbacks of wearing mouthguards in the field of play, as well as to inspire the fraction of goalkeepers who wear them regularly.
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Do soccer goalies wear mouthguards?
The Laws of the Game, the official rules of soccer, do not bar or place any restrictions on the use of mouthguards. Goalkeepers, like all other members of a soccer team, are allowed to wear mouthguards, if they deem it necessary.
Some players, concerned about their dental health, have worn it and will not step onto the pitch without one. There have also been records of goalkeepers wearing mouthguards, though most of them play in lower leagues, with former Meath goalkeeper Paddy O’Rourke being a notable example.
Made of thermoplastic materials, mouthguards obstruct airflow because the mouth must be kept shut, limiting performance, particularly when sprinting. As a result, they are not considered mandatory protective equipment in soccer.
Because it is not required, most players do not bother to wear it, even for a trial. Also, goalkeepers who rarely sprint on the field are mostly unconcerned about wearing mouthguards.
Important institutions and governments have encouraged the use of mouthguards. The American Dental Association fully supports it. Also, the UK government is considering a “No Wear, No Play” policy to encourage athletes, including goalkeepers and other soccer players, to wear it.
In some US states, professional soccer players are required to wear mouthguards. Schools and amateur level competitions are not excluded from this mandate, which has been extended to various other competitions, albeit youth level ones, around the world.
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In addition, performance on the field while wearing a mouthguard is being tested to develop a more promising technology.
After determining that soccer goalies do wear mouthguards and that they are necessary, there are still some questions about goalies wearing mouthguards, which are addressed below.
As the name implies, the mouthguard protects not only goalkeepers’ teeth but also the entire mouth. To better understand the protection provided by mouthguards, think of it as a helmet that protects the whole mouth rather than the head.
When you have the protective equipment on your mouth, you are less likely to injure your gums and lips, especially if the ball hits you in the face.
Some mouthguards are made wider and heavier to protect the outer lips. Unfortunately, these guards are uncomfortably tight and inconvenient for the player who is wearing them.
To fully understand how mouthguards protect goalies, it is necessary to list the various injuries that they prevent, which are as follows:
- Mouthguards protect the teeth from impact.
- It protects the jaws and neck by cushioning against impact.
- The jaw joint is protected from damage by preventing injury to the jaws and neck.
- It protects against concussions.
- It helps protect the soft tissue in the front of the mouth from damage.
Mouthguards protect goalies by preventing tooth loss. The cushioning architecture of the mouthguard prevents injury during impact, particularly when an aerial ball strikes the face.
Also, nearby impact, such as an unintentional elbow to the face, can result in serious injury. The damage would be significantly reduced if the mouthguard had been worn.
To protect the lips, gum, and jaw from being bitten, the pressure from impact can only cause the mouthguard to be bitten because it is fully strapped to the mouth.
Furthermore, mouthguards are thought to protect goalkeepers and other players who wear them from concussions. This claim, however, is being investigated.
Aside from the reasons stated above, a mouthguard can psychologically affect a goalie when facing a difficult challenge from the opposition. Having the feeling of additional protection for your teeth and possibly outer lips boosts your morale on the field of play, causing you to perform better.
Unfortunately, this boost can sometimes be counterproductive. By instilling in you an overconfident attitude, you may take unnecessary risks, resulting in poor performance.
When it comes to performance, there have been reports of key professional soccer players, such as Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, using mouthguards to improve their balance and strength.
Although mouthguards have been shown to protect players from injury, there is little evidence that they can improve performance.
Goalies frequently wear mouthguards in conjunction with braces. Braces, unlike mouthguards, are used to correct cluttered, jagged teeth or a kinked jaw.
Mouthguards and braces have one thing in common: they are both inconvenient for the player who is wearing them, with braces being more expensive.
With the inconvenience of wearing fixed braces already present, many goalkeepers have considered foregoing mouthguards while wearing braces.
Mouthguards are typically wider than the brace worn to ensure that they fit comfortably over the teeth. Custom mouthguards are not difficult to find, and there are also mouthguards designed to act as braces.
For the former, medical-grade silicon is infused into it, ensuring that it not only fits in while wearing braces but also conveniently adapts to the new structure as you twist the face.
Soccer is not limited to a specific age group, as it can be played by even the youngest of teenagers. Given this, there is also the question of whether or not children goalkeepers are required to wear mouthguards.
Concerned individuals who oppose the idea of mandating young goalies to wear mouthguards argue that because they are young, they will be unable to deal with the inconvenience brought by it.
Health professionals, on the other hand, have a different story to tell. Given that children, unlike adults, have developing teeth that are prone to severe damage when a minor impact is applied, health organizations recommend that any form of protection should be provided for them.
Aside from just protecting the gums, older kids will have to live without perfect teeth if damaged. Children are also prone to accidents because they are careless while playing. As a result, mouthguards for children goalies and other child soccer players are required.
Aside from the justification for goalkeepers having mouthguards, questions have been raised about the type that should be reserved for them. There are three major types of mouthguards used in soccer.
- Boil-and-bite mouthguards – which must be boiled before being inserted between the teeth. By boiling it, the material softens, allowing the guard to conform to the user’s teeth and gums. Good examples of this type of mouthguard are the ISH Sports Gum Shield Mouthguard and Vanmor Sports Mouthguard.
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- Instant-fit mouthguard – which comes in only one size per package. When purchased, it can be used immediately by affixing it to the teeth. However, because it cannot be adjusted, it does not always fit all users properly – players rarely choose this model because it usually provides the inverse of what it was designed to provide. Examples are the OPRO Snap-Fit Mouthguard and Under Armour Football Mouthguard.
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- Custom-fit mouthguards – it is the most expensive because it is custom-made for a specific user by a qualified dental professional. It is the most convenient of the three major types available, and soccer goalies are advised to use them.
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All mouthguards are susceptible to damage if not properly cared for after use, and goalie mouthguards are no exception. As such, it is recommended that mouthguards be cleaned in the same manner as your teeth.
The major drawback of using mouthguards in general is that they can obstruct airflow during a sprint. Although goalies are not expected to be involved in much sprinting, soccer is generally an intense sport.
As it relates to each type of mouthguard, each has its own drawback.
- Boil-and-bite – they have a bulkier feel, limiting airflow and speech. They’re the least durable and wear out quickly.
- Instant-fit – they offer the least protection, especially because the fit cannot be adjusted to all mouth sizes. It’s only comfortable when the mouth is closed. It’s still bulky and restricts proper airflow.
- Custom-fit – a major drawback is a fact that it is expensive.
Conclusion
The majority of professional soccer goalies do not wear or care about having mouthguards.
While a mouthguard is not one of the mandatory protective items required by FIFA, the world soccer governing body, it is not barred should a goalie deem it fit to wear during gameplay.
These mouthguards, whose primary purpose is to protect the teeth, are available in various styles.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!