Social care and health Health and wellbeing Your health Oral health Teens' teeth Sports protection
If you're a keen footballer, rugby player or take part in other contact sports then you might need to think about protecting your teeth.
A misplaced kick could cause you some serious issues, so it is important to consider using a mouth guard for contact sports.
A mouth guard is a specially made, rubber-like cover which fits over your teeth and gums, protecting them from injury when playing a sport.
Mouth guards can make you less likely to get a mouth or face injury.
It's best to get a sports guard made by your dentist, but this usually is not covered by the NHS and may involve a private charge.
Unfortunately home kit sports guards can fit badly and be uncomfortable.
Find out more about sports guards from the Oral Health Foundation.