The Best Basketball Mouthguards for Basketball Players: Sparkling White, Clutch, Shock Doctor, SISU Aero, OPRO, and NXTRND

Safety first, right? That’s especially important in contact sports where safety might take a backseat when things get heated up.  Basketball mouthguards can be your first line of defense.

I learned this the hard way a couple of years ago when I took a hard elbow to the mouth in a battle for a rebound. I didn’t get the rebound and ended up with my tooth poking through my upper lip. I ended up at a UNMC plastic surgeon’s office a couple of hours later and a 1000 dollar plus bill from the stitching and follow-up visits. A mouthguard likely would have reduced the elbow to a bruise and not a tooth peeking through my lip.

If you are here just for the list of basketball mouthguards I will give you that now:

The Best Basketball Mouthguards:

• SPARKLING WHITE SMILES PROFESSIONAL SPORT MOUTH GUARDS
• Clutch Performance MouthGuards for Basketball
• Shock Doctor Mouthguard
• SISU Aero Sports Mouthguard
• OPRO Snap-Fit Mouthguard
• NXTRND RUSH MOUTH GUARD SPORTS

The Necessity of Basketball Mouthguards

Basketball, while not as aggressive as sports like football or hockey, carries its own risks of oral injuries. From accidentally getting elbowed in the face to falling face-first on the court, there are numerous situations where a mouthguard can be a real savior.

Mouthguards play a pivotal role in preventing dental injuries. According to the American Dental Association, they can help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth or injuries to your lips, tongue, face, or jaw.

The Best Basketball Mouthguards for Basketball Players: Features Summary

This is a roundup of the best mouthguards, it’s a general idea about each product and its main features.

1. SPARKLING WHITE SMILES PROFESSIONAL SPORT MOUTH GUARDS

• Transparent chemical-free material
• Effective and Budget-friendly
• Comes with a portable case

This a transparent mouthguard that molds to the shape of your mouth. It’s made from premium quality plastics free from chemicals and even colors.

The precise fit allows you to talk and breathe without restriction. It stays in its place and resists chewing, which extends its lifespan. It offers significant protection through the thick base of the guard.

One of the good features of this product is that it comes with a ventilated portable case. It’s also a budget-friendly option which is always a plus.

2. Clutch Performance MouthGuards for Basketball

• Transparent well-fitting design
• A portable case and backpack hook
• Two mouthguards in a budget-friendly package

Crafted for a universal fit, these mouthguards cater to individuals of all ages and genders, serving as an inclusive protective accessory. Their transparency adds a dash of style and a cool factor, perfect for game-day aesthetics.

These affordable mouthguards come in a practical double-pack. The additional piece serves as a handy backup, ensuring you’re always covered even if one goes missing.

Each mouthguard is accompanied by a portable case and a carabiner. This enables neat storage, easy transport, and the option to attach it directly to your backpack.

Engineered to fit perfectly without any gaps, these mouthguards have reliable protection while maintaining stability. They allow normal speech and breathing, making them a good choice for safeguarding your smile without compromising comfort or functionality.

3. Shock Doctor Mouthguard

• Heavy-duty silicone frame
• High-protection composite structure
• They come in an array of colors and flavors

This is a cool, heavy-duty, high-protection mouthguard. It’s great if you play intense contact games and see much rough play, it has three layers of composite plastic, the outer frame being the strongest.

They mold easily to your bite, and there are breathing channels embedded in the mouthguard, so it’ll let air in for easy breathing. They could be a little bulky, but they offer good protection with their composite structure.

They do look cool, as they come in a wide array of colors, with various flavored and unflavored options.

4. SISU Aero Sports Mouthguard

• Lightweight and extra thin
• Perforations let you breathe and even drink
• Smart design gives good protection

It’s lightweight, thin with only 1.6 mm thickness, and provides good protection through its smart design. It’s good for the younger players as well, and it comes in a variety of colors that’ll suit any taste and jersey.

There are perforations around the SISU Aero to provide maximum airflow and let you have a drink without needing to take it off. That’s a more hygienic alternative to the excessive handling and possibility of contamination if it’s constantly replaced.

The perforations are fortified and the lace-like curves help in dispersing the impact, which is a smart design, that lets the SISU guard be 50% thinner than other models, and still give effective protection.

5. OPRO Snap-Fit Mouthguard

• Snap-On without boiling or preparation
• Budget-friendly so it can be used as a spare set
• 18 months warranty and insurance coverage

It’s just like the name implies, a snap-on mouthguard that fits nicely. It doesn’t need boiling or any preparation of any kind, you just put it on.

It’s a practical guard which you can use promptly, and it’s wise to keep one in your bag for these just-in-case possibilities. It’s budget-friendly and comes in a variety of colors.

It’s suitable for intense contact sports, and its warranty extends to 18 months, with insurance coverage of $5000.

6. NXTRND RUSH MOUTH GUARD SPORTS

• Manufacturer with wide MMA-mouthguards experience
• Thin double density frame
• High protection and good ventilation

The Nextrnd Rush mouthguard comes from a manufacturer who supplied similar guards to MMA and football, so they know a thing or two about tough sports. This guard is about protection, but it does so while keeping the player comfortable and well-ventilated.

This guard is closer to the thin varieties with only 2 mm of thickness, but it has a double-density frame, which still manages to protect from high-impact situations. The design is tested for optimal performance, it fits neatly and allows for good oxygen flow through ingrained channels.

The package comes with 2 guards in basic black and white colors, plus a carrying case for clean storage.

According to the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), 13-39% of cases presenting with dental injuries were associated with sports. Basketball was mentioned in several studies as one of the sports with a high incidence of dental injury.   

Studies show that wearing a mouthguard decreases the possibility of suffering from dislodged teeth or any similarly painful incidents. Read on to find out more about mouthguards, why you need to wear them, and the best mouthguards for basketball players.

Everything You Need to Know About Basketball Mouthguards

Here’s the whole story about basketball mouthguards, next we’ll take a look at the best products.

How Mouthguards Work

They offer protection for the teeth, gums, and the soft tissues surrounding them, by providing an elastic surface that absorbs the shocks directed at that area and distributing the point load evenly to the whole surface.

Studies show that many players aren’t aware that wearing mouthguards minimizes the power of the blow significantly, and decreases the likelihood of dental injuries caused by an elbow or a misdirected shot. 

Image	Title	Price	Buy
Top	Shock Doctor Gel Max Power Mouth Guard		Buy Now
Top	Nxtrnd Rush Mouth Guard Sports		Buy Now
Top	SISU Mouth Guards		Buy Now
Top	OPRO Snap-Fit Braces Mouthguard		Buy Now
Top	Professional Sport Mouth Guards		Buy Now

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Breathing

Players need far more oxygen when they play than at any other time, that’s why the mouthguard shouldn’t obstruct the air passage to any degree.

Some models have extra channels to maintain normal breathing.

Talking

Basketball players communicate verbally during the game to coordinate their moves. It’s hard to imagine wearing a protection device that interferes with speech.

Manufacturers took this into consideration, and many new models are so thin and well-fitting that they don’t affect talking that much.

Aesthetics

Basketball mouthguards come in all kinds of colors and prints. It’s a matter of taste of course, but my personal recommendation is to go with the transparent guards, or a neutral color.

Maintaining Your Mouthguard

It’s not unusual to see a mouthguard thrown into a sports bag with the rest of a player’s stuff, or left on the bleachers during breaks. This is not the best way to maintain basketball mouthguards. The saliva, handling, sweat, and dust should be cleaned routinely. If these organic materials are left on the plastic, they could become a trap for bacteria and mold. Having a plastic container to keep your mouthguard away from any contaminants is also a good idea.

Some players absentmindedly ‘chew’ on their mouthguard, which can tear up the guard or cause it to lose shape. Much like you see Steph Curry in the picture below.

Types of Mouthguards

There are several kinds of mouthguards, mostly different in their fit, and how easy it is to get one.

Snap-On Mouthguard

You just take it out of the box and use it. No customization is performed. It’s the most practical, but occasionally it’s an awkward fit.

Some varieties are made from a rubber material that molds itself around the contours of the mouth. The good ones are quite popular, as they don’t need a trip to the dentist or any other pre-preparation before use.

Boil and Bite Mouthguard

It’s a plastic template that needs to be softened by dipping it in boiling water, and then you mold it by biting on it and shaping it as much as possible around your teeth and gums.

The result is usually good enough, and it’s a practical alternative to custom-made guards.

Custom-Made Dental Mouthguard

This is a custom-made mouthguard, based on your dental impression. It’s light, thin, and fits snugly. It’ll let you talk and breathe easily, and you wouldn’t have to keep your mouth semi-opened to accommodate it.

It’s also the most expensive option, and it takes a visit to the dentist and a waiting period to get one made. That’s probably why the other models are used more often.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Mouthguard

When selecting a mouthguard, you’ll want to consider the following factors:

1. Fit and Comfort: The mouthguard should comfortably fit in your mouth without needing to clench your teeth to keep it in place.
2. Durability: Look for a mouthguard made from durable material that can withstand the pressure of intense gameplay.
3. Ease of Cleaning: Choose a mouthguard that is easy to clean to maintain oral hygiene.
4. Price: The cost of mouthguards can vary greatly, so consider your budget.
5. Style: While protection is the primary concern, many players also consider the style and color of the mouthguard.

Final Thoughts on Basketball Mouthguards

Good quality basketball mouthguards can reduce the likelihood of dental injury significantly, and there are so many models out there, so it’s easy to find the perfect fit. Having a dental guard custom-made at the dentist is the number one choice of course, but there are many other options to choose from as well.

I recommend the SISU Aero Sports Mouthguard, it’s lightweight and thin, and it has a smart design that disperses the impact away from the hit point. It has a cool appearance, and it’s easy to talk, breathe, and even drink while you’re wearing it.

There’s another good alternative, which is the Nxtrnd Rush Mouth Guard Sports, it’s a premium quality mouthguard made by a company that understands the demands of high-impact contact sports. It’s not too bulky, looks quite elegant, and gives high protection.

Check out our review of knee braces here.

Troy Wallace

Troy Wallace is Certified Basketball Speed Specialist and shares his experiences in trying to stay as healthy as possible to stay on the court. He is active in coaching youth basketball in YMCA, Team Work Sports Nebraska, and, currently, in the Jr. Warriors program in Omaha, NE. Visit Troy's Full Author Bio Page or email him directly.

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