Exercising after custom mouthguard: the short version
You can exercise immediately after getting a custom mouthguard, and using it is the whole point. The fitting leaves nothing to recover from. Wear the guard for every practice and game in sports with contact, sticks, balls, or falls. A new guard may feel bulky and make you aware of your breathing and speech for the first few sessions, which passes as you get used to it.
What is actually going on
A custom guard is made from an impression or scan so that it grips the upper teeth without you having to clench to hold it. That is its advantage over store-bought types: it stays put when you open your mouth to breathe or call out, so you are more likely to keep it in. In the first sessions, expect extra saliva and a slight lisp. If it triggers gagging, the back edge may be too long, and if a spot on the gum gets sore, the border may be pressing; both are simple adjustments for the dentist. The guard should feel snug, not tight to the point of aching teeth. Guards are made for a mouth at one moment in time, so children who are still growing, and anyone with braces or new dental work, will need the fit checked or the guard remade periodically.
The first time, step by step
Nothing was treated, so exercise is unrestricted and the first session is really the guard's debut. Give it a practice before a match. Seat it on the upper teeth with your thumbs instead of biting it into place, then jog and call out a few plays to find your breathing rhythm. It should stay up when you open your mouth. Drink from a squeeze bottle with it in. Keep your jaw loose, since the guard is there for impact and not for biting on. Afterward, note any spot on the gum that feels rubbed, and take that back to your dentist to be eased.
Exercise After Custom Mouthguard: What You Need to Know
Wait time
After a custom mouthguard, you can typically resume exercising immediately.
Why
That is its purpose
Tips for Exercising After Custom Mouthguard
- 01Wear the guard around the house for short periods before the first game to get used to breathing and talking with it.
- 02Rinse it with cool water after each use, let it dry, and store it in a ventilated case out of heat and sun.
- 03Do not trim or reshape the guard yourself; take fit problems back to the dentist who made it.
- 04Bring the guard to dental checkups, and replace it when it is torn, thinned, or loose.
Common mistakes
- 01Wearing the guard half out, hanging from the lips or tucked into a helmet cage between plays. It picks up dirt there and is not on the teeth at the moment a hit arrives.
- 02Lending the guard to a teammate who forgot theirs. It was made for one mouth, it will not protect a different set of teeth, and it comes back carrying someone else's saliva.
- 03Biting down on a sports guard as a brace during heavy lifts. Sustained clenching chews through the material and tires the jaw, and a dentist can advise on a guard meant for lifting.
Other Activities After Custom Mouthguard
See when you can do other activities after your custom mouthguard:
Table 1 — Other activities after custom mouthguard
| Activity | Wait |
|---|---|
| Use a Straw | Immediately |
| Eat Normally | Immediately |
| Smoke | No restriction |
| Drink Alcohol | No restriction |
| Drive | Immediately |
| Return to Work | Immediately |
Recovery info
Recovery timelines are general guidelines based on typical cases. Individual recovery may vary based on your health, the complexity of your procedure, and other factors. Your own dentist's or surgeon's post-operative instructions always take priority over anything on this page. Call them if you are unsure.