--- type: Article title: "Sports Mouthguard" description: "Custom-fitted sports mouthguard from your orthodontist in Cologne – for boxing, hockey & more, also designed to fit over your braces." resource: https://www.just-kfo.de/en/competencies/sports-mouthguard/ language: en tags: [orthodontics, services] timestamp: 2026-09-07T23:11:31+02:00 --- # Sports Mouthguard Expertise · Sports mouthguard Custom Sports Mouthguards & Dental Protection – Individually Fitted by an Orthodontist in Cologne A custom-fitted sports mouthguard protects teeth, lips, and jaw from impacts – precisely fabricated by an orthodontist in Cologne, also for patients wearing fixed braces. Book an appointment onlineProtection in sports ★5,0 · 228 Google reviews At a glance A sports mouthguard cushions impacts and blows and thus protects against broken teeth, tooth loss and injuries to the lips and cheeks. A guard made individually in the orthodontic laboratory fits precisely, stays securely in place and can also be worn with fixed braces – considerably more reliable than ready-made products from the store. Ideal for: contact & ball sportsProtects: teeth, lips, jawBenefit: custom-made & precise fitFabrication: custom-made in our in-house laboratory from digital scanFor: contact and ball sports, even with fixed braces 5,0228 Google reviews Precise fitoptimal protection & comfort 50 weeksopen per year In-house master dental laboratorymade in Cologne 1 Consultation2 Digital scan3 Mouthguard Book an appointment online OverviewProtection in sportsFAQGood to know Why tooth protection in sports? A sports mouthguard protects teeth during sports from injury.1 Sudden impacts or blows to the mouth can lead to tooth fractures, displacement, or tooth loss. A custom-fitted mouthguard reduces this risk, with good wearing comfort and barely impaired breathing. There is no reliable evidence for protection against concussions, however – this benefit is often attributed to mouthguards, but the research does not support it. We customize your sports mouthguard using digital diagnostics. Sports mouthguards - prevention & recommendations How much a mouthguard helps can be quantified: In an analysis of twelve cohort studies, athletes without mouthguards sustained oral and facial injuries more than twice as often as those wearing mouthguards. Here, too, a sports mouthguard can considerably reduce the risk of such injuries. In addition, a sports mouthguard is mandatory in many sports, such as boxing, ice hockey or rugby, in order to prevent injuries. In other sports, such as basketball or volleyball, the use of a sports mouthguard is strongly recommended. Can a sports mouthguard improve athletic performance? The main purpose is protection against injury. There are, however, indications that a well-fitting mouthguard can improve breathing and relieve the chewing muscles, which benefits endurance and performance. Avoiding injuries caused by misaligned teeth or jaws can also help performance. The research is not yet conclusive, but a benefit is possible. Sports mouthguards with fixed braces Anyone who wears fixed braces and plays sports needs special protection: in the event of a blow or a fall, the brackets can injure the lips and cheeks. A prefabricated mouthguard from a sporting goods store usually does not fit properly over braces and therefore offers only limited protection. As orthodontists in Cologne, we make your mouthguard for braces individually – with enough room for the brackets and a precise fit. Especially for boxing, martial arts or hockey with braces , a custom-fitted mouthguard like this is essential. You can read more about this in our article Braces and Sports. Frequently asked questions / FAQ about sports mouthguards Tap a question to open the answer. How much does a sports mouthguard cost? + A custom-fabricated sports mouthguard is a private service: Statutory health insurance does not cover it, though some insurers provide a subsidy upon request. What it costs depends on design and effort – we will provide you with the amount in writing before fabrication. It is typically far less than what the long-term care of a fractured front tooth costs: A lost tooth must be replaced for life. How much does a mouthguard from the dentist cost? + More than a prefabricated one from a sports store – but it fits precisely and stays in place during speaking and breathing. The price depends on design and effort; you will receive it in writing before fabrication. With us, the guard is made in our own in-house master dental laboratory after a digital scan. Which dental splint is covered by health insurance? + A sports mouthguard is usually not among the benefits covered by statutory health insurance. Some insurers do provide a contribution on request – so please clarify coverage with your insurer beforehand. Custom-fitted splints for treating misaligned teeth or temporomandibular joint problems (TMD) are generally a private-pay service as well. Private health insurance and supplementary dental insurance are more likely to contribute, depending on the plan. Why a mouthguard only on top? + In most cases the mouthguard is made for the upper teeth only, since these are hit most often during sports. A splint for the upper jaw protects well against impacts and interferes less with speaking and breathing than one for the lower jaw. In some cases protection for the lower jaw also makes sense – we clarify this based on your needs. Why wear a mouthguard? + A mouthguard protects the teeth and mouth from injury – especially in contact sports such as boxing, ice hockey or rugby, where it is often even required. In boxing it cushions blows and clearly reduces the risk of broken, displaced or lost teeth. It is also advisable in basketball or volleyball with body contact: an accidental impact can cause painful and costly damage to the teeth. A well-fitting guard also provides added confidence, so athletes can focus on their performance. Care, Durability, and Cost Care. Rinse with cold water after each use and let air-dry – hot water warps the material. Store the guard in its ventilated case, not loose in a gym bag and not in the car. Bring it to checkup appointments so we can examine the fit and condition. Durability. Replace the guard when it develops cracks, warps, or no longer stays in place on its own. For children and adolescents, this happens sooner than for adults, because the jaw is growing and teeth are erupting. During ongoing treatment with fixed braces, tooth position changes continuously – how often adjustment is needed then depends on the treatment stage and is discussed on a case-by-case basis. Cost. A custom-fabricated sports mouthguard is a private service; statutory health insurance does not cover it, though some insurers provide a subsidy upon request. What your guard costs depends on design and effort – you will receive the amount in writing before fabrication, not only with the invoice. +Sources & Studies Sources: Knapik, J.J., Marshall, S.W., Lee, R.B. et al., 2007. Mouthguards in sport activities: history, physical properties and injury prevention effectiveness. Sports Medicine, 37(2), S.117–144. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737020-00003 Bastian, N.E., Heaton, L.J., Capote, R.T., Wan, Q., Riedy, C.A. & Ramsay, D.S., 2019. Mouthguards during orthodontic treatment: Perspectives of orthodontists and a survey of orthodontic patients playing school-sponsored basketball and football. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2019.04.034. Zamora-Olave, C., Willaert, E., Parera, L., Riera-Puñet, N., & Martinez-Gomis, J. (2020). Experience with mouthguards and prevalence of orofacial injuries among field hockey players in Catalonia. Dental traumatology : official publication of International Association for Dental Traumatology, 36(3), 285–290. https://doi.org/10.1111/edt.12531 Miró, A., Buscà, B., Solana-Tramunt, M., Aguilera-Castells, J., Arboix-Alió, J., Vergnoux, F. & Arellano, R., 2021. Effects of wearing a customized bite-aligning mouthguard on powerful actions in highly trained swimmers. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 19(4), pp.259-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2021.09.003. ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations; ADA Council on Scientific Affairs, 2006. Using mouthguards to reduce the incidence and severity of sports-related oral injuries. J Am Dent Assoc, 137(12), pp.1712-1720. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2006.0118. Newsome, P. R., Tran, D. C., & Cooke, M. S. (2001). The role of the mouthguard in the prevention of sports-related dental injuries: a review. Int J Paediatr Dent, 11(6), 396-404. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0960-7439.2001.00304.x. Lässing, J., Pökel, C., Lingener, L., Falz, R., Kwast, S., Schulze, A., & Busse, M. (2021). The Influence of Customized Mouthguards on the Muscular Activity of the Masticatory Muscles at Maximum Bite and Motor Performance During Static and Dynamic Exercises. Sports Med Open, 7: 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-021-00354-2. Nam, H. J., Lee, J-H., Hong, D-S., & Jung, H. C. (2020). The Effect of Wearing a Customized Mouthguard on Body Alignment and Balance Performance in Professional Basketball Players. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(17): 6431. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176431. Perunski, S., Lang, B., Pohl, Y., & Filippi, A. (2005). Level of information concerning dental injuries and their prevention in Swiss basketball–a survey among players and coaches. Dent Traumatol, 21(4), 195-200. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-9657.2005.00310.x. Pae, A., Yoo, R., Noh, K., Paek, J., & Kwon, K. R. (2013). The effects of mouthguards on the athletic ability of professional golfers. Dent Traumatol, 29(1), 47-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-9657.2012.01123.x. Patrick, D. G., van Noort, R., & Found, M. S. (2005). Scale of protection and the various types of sports mouthguard. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(5), 278-281. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2004.011767. Schildknecht, S., Krastl, G., Kühl, S., & Filippi, A. (2012). Dental injury and its prevention in Swiss rugby. Dent Traumatol, 28(6), 465-469. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-9657.2012.01115.x. Knapik, J.J., Hoedebecke, B.L., Rogers, G.G., Sharp, M.A., & Marshall, S.W., 2019. Effectiveness of Mouthguards for the Prevention of Orofacial Injuries and Concussions in Sports: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 49(8), 1217–1232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01121-w Knapik, J. J., Hoedebecke, B. L., & Mitchener, T. A. (2020). Mouthguards for the Prevention of Orofacial Injuries in Military and Sports Activities: Part 2, Effectiveness of Mouthguard for Protection From Orofacial Injuries. Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals, 20(3), 114–116. https://doi.org/10.55460/IFCD-6D3A Allison, P., & Tamimi, F. (2020). Mouthguards should be worn in contact sports. British journal of sports medicine, 54(17), 1016–1017. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102041 Which sports is a sports mouthguard useful for? The higher the risk of a blow, fall or collision to the face, the clearer the recommendation. In some sports, a mouthguard is even required by competition rules. Required or strongly recommended Boxing, kickboxing, MMA, karate, taekwondo, judo and wrestling – plus ice hockey, field hockey, rugby, American football and lacrosse. In these sports either a blow hits the jaw directly, or sticks, pucks and balls reach speeds at which a front tooth has no chance. Clearly recommended Handball, basketball, water polo and soccer – especially in goal – as well as horseback riding, skating and inline skating, BMX and mountain biking, plus skiing and snowboarding. An opponent’s elbow or a fall to the ground happens less often than a deliberate blow, but it does the same damage. Always with fixed braces Anyone wearing brackets should wear a mouthguard for every sport involving body contact. A blow to the lip presses the soft tissue into the appliance and leads to deep cuts that would not have occurred without braces. A custom-made mouthguard is built over the brackets and leaves room for them – models from the sporting goods store cannot do that. This mainly affects teenagers in club sports. How treatment works in this age group is explained on our page about orthodontics for children and teenagers in Cologne. Why off-the-shelf isn’t enough A do-it-yourself mouthguard stays in place only as long as you bite down on it. When you speak, breathe or exert yourself, it works loose – and a guard that slips no longer protects. Our sports mouthguards are made from a digital scan in our own in-house master dental laboratory in the same building, stay in place without biting down, and allow free breathing and speaking. Sportmundschutz in Köln – so finden Sie zu uns Sie interessieren sich für Sportmundschutz in Köln? Unsere Fachpraxis liegt im Kölner Süden – gut erreichbar aus der ganzen Stadt, mit eigenem Meisterlabor im selben Haus. Fachpraxis für KieferorthopädieHauptstraße 50 · 50996 KölnÖffnungszeiten werden geladen … Termin online buchen0221 – 93 53 02 0 Mit dem AutoKostenfreie Parkplätze im Innenhof – an der Schranke einfach klingeln. Über die Rheinuferstraße aus der Innenstadt, über die A555 aus Richtung Bonn, über die Rodenkirchener Brücke vom rechten Rheinufer. Mit Bahn und BusZwei Haltestellen in Gehweite: Bahnhof Rodenkirchen (Linien 16 und 17, Bus 130, 131, 134, 135) und Heinrich-Lübke-Ufer (Linien 16 und 17, Bus 130, 134). Jugendliche kommen so allein zum Kontrolltermin. Aus ganz Köln erreichbarKurze Wege aus Rodenkirchen, Sürth, Weiß, Hahnwald, Marienburg, Bayenthal, Raderthal, Zollstock, Rondorf und der Südstadt – über die Rodenkirchener Brücke auch aus Porz und dem rechtsrheinischen Köln, aus dem übrigen Stadtgebiet über Rheinuferstraße und Militärring. SprechzeitenMo–Do 8:00–12:30 und 13:30–18:00 Uhr, Fr 8:00–12:30 und 13:30–16:00 Uhr. Geöffnet an rund 50 Wochen im Jahr, Termine auch online rund um die Uhr. Questions about sports mouthguards? Schedule your no-obligation initial consultation at JUST KFO – Dr. Steinmaier & Kollegen in Cologne. 0221 – 93 53 02 0 Mon–Thu 8:00–12:30 & 13:30–18:00 · Fri 8:00–12:30 & 13:30–16:00 Book an appointment online