Top 5 Youth Football Mouthguards: Buyer’s Guide

Imagine the roar of the crowd, the crunch of pads, and the thrill of the game. Football is exciting! But underneath all that action, there’s a real risk of injury, especially to the mouth. Did you know that thousands of young athletes need emergency dental care each year from sports-related mouth injuries?

Choosing the right mouthguard for your young football player can feel like a confusing maze. You want the best protection, but you also need one that fits well, lets them breathe easily, and won’t break the bank. Many parents worry: Is the cheap one safe enough? Will the expensive one actually get worn?

This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a great youth football mouthguard. You will learn the key features to look for, how to spot a poor fit, and how to ensure your athlete stays protected without complaining about comfort. Keep reading to find the perfect shield for your young MVP’s smile.

Top Youth Mouthguard For Football Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1
5 Pack Kids Youth Mouth Guard for Sports, Boys Girls Mouth Guard with Case, Child Teen Sports Mouthguard for Football Lacrosse Basketball Boxing Soccer Taekwondo MMA Karate
  • 『Package include』- 5 pieces Kids/Youth Mouth Guard for Sports in different colors to satisfy your child's quantity and color requirements, each also comes with plastic carrying case, so Mouth Guard Sports won't get lost easily and easy to storage.
  • 『Safe & Environmentally Friendly Material』- The inner layer of the mouthguard for children and adolescents is made of soft and environmentally friendly EVA food-grade material, which is odorless and non-toxic, easy to use, and has good shockproof and cushioning properties. We recommend changing it every 3 months, and disinfect it before and after use.
  • 『Comfortable, Soft and Fit』- Sports Mouth Guard will fits perfectly that feel comfortable and light when worn by children/teenager. Their teeth, tongue and jaw are well protected, and breathing passages are designed to make breathing easier. So it won't hurt your child's gums and lips, or cause pain and discomfort.
  • 『Applicable Scene』- Our mouthguards are suitable for many sports. Can be applied in Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Boxing, MMA, Basketball, Taekwondo, Karate and other competitive sports, Sports Mouth Guard can effectively protect teeth and mouth, suitable for sports enthusiasts and athletes to use.
  • 『100% Satisfied』- There are two sizes Kids Youth Mouth Guards available. Size Small suitable for boys and girls below 7 years old. Size Medium suitable for 7-14 years old boys and girls. Please Choose the size that suits you best. If there is any problem with the product, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will give you 100 points of satisfaction.
Bestseller No. 2
5 Pack Kids Youth Mouth Guard for Sports, Boys Girls Mouth Guard with Case, Child Teen Sports Mouthguard for Football Lacrosse Basketball Boxing Soccer Taekwondo MMA Karate
  • 『Package include』- 5 pieces Kids/Youth Mouth Guard for Sports in different colors to satisfy your child's quantity and color requirements, each also comes with plastic carrying case, so Mouth Guard Sports won't get lost easily and easy to storage.
  • 『Safe & Environmentally Friendly Material』- The inner layer of the mouthguard for children and adolescents is made of soft and environmentally friendly EVA food-grade material, which is odorless and non-toxic, easy to use, and has good shockproof and cushioning properties. We recommend changing it every 3 months, and disinfect it before and after use.
  • 『Comfortable, Soft and Fit』- Sports Mouth Guard will fits perfectly that feel comfortable and light when worn by children/teenager. Their teeth, tongue and jaw are well protected, and breathing passages are designed to make breathing easier. So it won't hurt your child's gums and lips, or cause pain and discomfort.
  • 『Applicable Scene』- Our mouthguards are suitable for many sports. Can be applied in Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Boxing, MMA, Basketball, Taekwondo, Karate and other competitive sports, Sports Mouth Guard can effectively protect teeth and mouth, suitable for sports enthusiasts and athletes to use.
  • 『100% Satisfied』- There are two sizes Kids Youth Mouth Guards available. Size Small suitable for boys and girls below 7 years old. Size Medium suitable for 7-14 years old boys and girls. Please Choose the size that suits you best. If there is any problem with the product, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will give you 100 points of satisfaction.
SaleBestseller No. 3
Under Armour Lip Gaurd for Football, Football Mouth Guard With Strap, Football Mouthpiece, Full Mouth Protection, Football Mouth Guard for Braces, Lip Guard Mouth Piece, Adult and Youth Mouth Guards
  • FULL MOUTH PROTECTION: This youth & adult football mouthguard with strap offers full mouth protection, covering both lips with an integrated breathing channel for maximum airflow and improved performance
  • COMFORTABLE FIT: This football mouth guard with strap boasts an instant fit with no molding required, featuring low-profile bite pads for additional comfort
  • COMPATIBLE WITH BRACES: This football mouthguard for braces allows you to keep your braces on while playing, protecting your orthodontic investment
  • DESIGNED FOR FOOTBALL: Crafted for football players, this lip guard mouthpiece football includes a lip shield and integrated bite pad, wearable with or without a strap based on personal preference, this mouth piece is ideal as youth football mouth guard
  • HIGH-PERFORMANCE DESIGN: Built for athletes, this football mouth guard with strap features a large breathing channel for maximum airflow. This mouth guard football uses Bite Flex absorption technology and BPA & latex-free materials
SaleBestseller No. 4
Under Armour Lip Gaurd for Football, Football Mouth Guard With Strap, Football Mouthpiece, Full Mouth Protection, Football Mouth Guard for Braces, Lip Guard Mouth Piece, Adult and Youth Mouth Guards
  • FULL MOUTH PROTECTION: This youth & adult football mouthguard with strap offers full mouth protection, covering both lips with an integrated breathing channel for maximum airflow and improved performance
  • COMFORTABLE FIT: This football mouth guard with strap boasts an instant fit with no molding required, featuring low-profile bite pads for additional comfort
  • COMPATIBLE WITH BRACES: This football mouthguard for braces allows you to keep your braces on while playing, protecting your orthodontic investment
  • DESIGNED FOR FOOTBALL: Crafted for football players, this lip guard mouthpiece football includes a lip shield and integrated bite pad, wearable with or without a strap based on personal preference, this mouth piece is ideal as youth football mouth guard
  • HIGH-PERFORMANCE DESIGN: Built for athletes, this football mouth guard with strap features a large breathing channel for maximum airflow. This mouth guard football uses Bite Flex absorption technology and BPA & latex-free materials
SaleBestseller No. 5
Shock Doctor Lip Guard, Adult and Youth Mouth Guard Football with Strap, Breathable Wide Opening Football Mouthpiece for Youth and Adults OSFA, Shock Doctor Mouth Guards, Max Airflow
  • MAX PROTECTION: This Shock Doctor adult / youth football mouth guard with strap meets national and state regulations with a reinforced outer frame for increased protection and high-impact tech. The large breathing channel is compatible with braces mouth guard.
  • ULTIMATE COMFORT: Updated design and platform relax the jaw and prevent teeth from blocking the breathing channel. Flexible Shock Doctor mouthguard polymers and integral bite pads ensure comfort and an easy, no-mold fit.
  • BREATHABILITY: The Max Airflow is the oxygen king of lip guards, offering 10% more flow capacity via our Airflow breathing channel. No more feeling winded in the end zone with this Shock Doctor mouth guard, perfect for football.
  • PERSONALIZED STYLE: Impose your style on the field with a variety of mouthguard sports graphics, chrome, and color options. Perfect for kids, adults, and including football, hockey, lacrosse, etc., like Shock Doctor mouthguard versatility.
  • DEPENDABLE WARRANTY: Shock Doctor is a world leader in mouthguards due to our continuous search for the best materials, technology, and innovation. We provide a 10,000 dollar dental/teeth warranty which applies to kids mouth guard for football for your peace of mind.
Bestseller No. 6
Oral Mart Black/Red Youth Mouth Guard for Kids - Youth Mouthguard for Karate, Flag Football, Martial Arts, Taekwondo, Boxing, Football, Rugby, BJJ, Muay Thai, Soccer, Hockey
  • UNIQUE DESIGN 1). What’s Your Kid’s Favorite Color or Design?! USA Flag & 3 Vampire Fangs & 15 Best Colors to choose from to match uniform and boost confidence. 2). “Fit You Better” Design: Small gap for front teeth for snug fit. You may have fitted many mouth guards in your days of sports and realize fitting it on different person is totally different. Our unique design and materials give your kids much better chance for a snug fit (Make sure the instruction is properly followed)
  • SUPERIOR QUALITY – We have tested out many different materials and come up with our Oral Mart kids mouth guards for sports. Our dual-layer sports mouth guards give you the best customized fit (Inner Gel Layer) and the most superior impact resistance (Outer Impact layer). You will see the differences like many other parents! Our one-of-a-kind designs and safe materials are tailored to your youth future superstars.
  • BPA-FREE - Your kids safety is our ultimate goal. Super easy to follow and the adult & youth mouth guards give you maximum protection for flag football, karate, lacrosse, hockey, football, field hockey, rugby, roller derby, martial arts, MMA, boxing, sparring, BJJ, wrestling and other contact sports.
  • DIRECT FROM ORAL MART - We back ourselves and we understand sometimes it's hard for some parents to decide which size is right for your kids. Female adults with smaller mouth could go with youth size. Big boys with bigger mouth could go with adult size. OUR PROMISE to you is if you feel the other size could fit better for you or your kids after purchase, please let us know and we will send you a replacement or if you have any questions about the molding instructions, we are here to help!
  • DIRECT FROM ORAL MART - We back ourselves and we understand sometimes it's hard for some parents to decide which size is right for your kids. Female adults with smaller mouth could go with youth size. Big boys with bigger mouth could go with adult size. OUR PROMISE to you is if you feel the other size could fit better for you or your kids after purchase, please let us know and we will send you a replacement or if you have any questions about the molding instructions, we are here to help!
Bestseller No. 7
Under Armour Lip Gaurd for Football, Football Mouth Guard With Strap, Football Mouthpiece, Full Mouth Protection, Football Mouth Guard for Braces, Lip Guard Mouth Piece, Adult and Youth Mouth Guards
  • FULL MOUTH PROTECTION: This youth & adult football mouthguard with strap offers full mouth protection, covering both lips with an integrated breathing channel for maximum airflow and improved performance
  • COMFORTABLE FIT: This football mouth guard with strap boasts an instant fit with no molding required, featuring low-profile bite pads for additional comfort
  • COMPATIBLE WITH BRACES: This football mouthguard for braces allows you to keep your braces on while playing, protecting your orthodontic investment
  • DESIGNED FOR FOOTBALL: Crafted for football players, this lip guard mouthpiece football includes a lip shield and integrated bite pad, wearable with or without a strap based on personal preference, this mouth piece is ideal as youth football mouth guard
  • HIGH-PERFORMANCE DESIGN: Built for athletes, this football mouth guard with strap features a large breathing channel for maximum airflow. This mouth guard football uses Bite Flex absorption technology and BPA & latex-free materials
SaleBestseller No. 8
2 Pack Football Mouthguard,Youth Sports Mouth Guard for Braces,Football Mouthpiece with Strap for Youth and Adult,Sport Mouth Piece,Mouth Guard for Boxing, Lacrosse,Hockey,Rugby,Basketball, MMA
  • 【SAFE MATERIAL】The youth football mouthguard is made of food-grade EVA material with high quality resilience which is soft,shakeproof and malleable protecting you from the fierce Physical confrontation and strong impacts
  • 【COMFORTABLE DESIGN】The sports mouthguard is designed with triple-layer construction,protecting mouth,tongue, cheek and teeth grinding well.Three strategically placed perforations allows you to breath more freely and comfortably in your exercise or games
  • 【EXTENSIVE USE】The youth mouthguard boxing is fit for many sports such as football, basketball, boxing,wrestling, rugby, hockey etc. and even in dress up. and the mini compact size allow you to take it to anywhere to use for outdoor
  • 【PREFECT SIZE】The size of football mouth guard is 2.00*2.08 inch, which is well formed for the age 8-14years old teeth,If the size is bigger than your teeth, the pre-produced silicone material at both side can be cut to match the teeth size
  • 【EASILY MOLDED】Put the football mouthpiece in 70-80℃ hot boiling water about 30-45 seconds first, then rinse quickly in cold water. Put it in your mouth, close your mouth and bite the braces hard, and wait for the braces to form about 30 seconds. Finally put in cold water for 30 seconds and grab it for use

Choosing the Best Mouthguard for Young Football Players

Football is an exciting sport, but it demands protection. A mouthguard is a vital piece of safety gear for any young player. It guards teeth, gums, and even helps reduce the risk of concussions. Finding the right one can feel tricky. This guide breaks down what parents and players need to know.

Key Features to Look For

A good youth football mouthguard must do a few important jobs well. Look for these features when you shop:

1. Proper Fit and Retention
  • Boil-and-Bite vs. Custom: Most youth mouthguards use the “boil-and-bite” method. You heat it in hot water, then bite down to mold it. This creates a decent fit. Custom-made guards offer the best protection but cost more.
  • Stay-Put Design: The guard should stay comfortably in the mouth without needing the player to clench their jaw constantly. If it falls out easily, it won’t protect them when they need it most.
2. Breathing and Speaking Ease

If the mouthguard makes breathing hard, kids won’t wear it. Look for designs that allow for open airflow. Also, the player should be able to communicate basic instructions to teammates without removing it.

3. Protection Level

Ensure the mouthguard meets safety standards, often indicated by certifications like those from the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment). This confirms it handles impact forces.

Important Materials That Matter

The material determines comfort, durability, and safety.

1. EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)

EVA is the most common material. It is soft, flexible, and molds well when heated. High-quality EVA is durable and provides excellent shock absorption. Lower-quality EVA might break down faster.

2. Latex-Free Options

Many children have allergies. Always check the label. Most modern mouthguards are latex-free, but it is a crucial check for sensitive players.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Not all mouthguards perform the same. Quality depends on design and construction.

Factors That Improve Quality:
  • Thickness in Key Areas: The best guards are thicker over the biting surfaces (where the upper and lower teeth meet) to absorb hard hits.
  • Integrated Straps: A durable, detachable strap allows the guard to attach to the helmet facemask. This prevents the guard from getting lost on the field.
  • Antimicrobial Properties: Some guards resist bacteria growth, keeping them cleaner and less smelly between uses.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
  • Too Thin: A very thin mouthguard offers minimal protection against strong impacts.
  • Poor Molding Retention: If the material cools too quickly or doesn’t hold the shape after molding, the fit will be loose, reducing its effectiveness.

User Experience and Use Cases

A great mouthguard is one the player actually wears for the entire game and practice. Comfort drives compliance.

Comfort During Play

Young athletes need to focus on the game, not an uncomfortable lump in their mouth. If the guard causes gagging or excessive slobbering, the player will push it out of place.

Durability Over a Season

Youth football involves many practices and games. A high-quality guard should last the entire season, or at least until the player grows out of it. Constantly replacing cracked or chewed-up guards shows a quality issue.


10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Youth Football Mouthguards

Q: Does my child really need a mouthguard for practice?

A: Yes. Most dental injuries happen during practice drills, not just in the games. Always wear it.

Q: Can I use a generic sports guard instead of a football-specific one?

A: While any guard is better than none, football mouthguards are designed to withstand higher impact forces common in tackling sports.

Q: How often should I replace my child’s mouthguard?

A: Replace it at the start of every new season. Also, replace it immediately if you notice it cracking, tearing, or if the fit becomes loose.

Q: What is the difference between a boil-and-bite and a custom guard?

A: Boil-and-bite guards mold at home and are affordable. Custom guards are made by a dentist for a perfect, superior fit and best protection.

Q: How do I clean the mouthguard properly?

A: Rinse it with cool water after every use. Clean it daily with mild soap or a denture/retainer cleaning tablet. Never use hot water, as it warps the shape.

Q: Does a mouthguard prevent concussions?

A: Mouthguards help protect the jaw and absorb some shock, which *may* reduce the risk of concussions, but they do not guarantee concussion prevention.

Q: My son has braces. Can he wear a regular mouthguard?

A: Players with braces need a special “orthodontic” mouthguard. These are designed to fit over the brackets safely. Standard boil-and-bite guards can get stuck or cause injury.

Q: How long does it take to mold a boil-and-bite mouthguard?

A: The molding process itself takes only a few minutes. You need to follow the heating instructions exactly for the best result.

Q: Should the mouthguard cover the back teeth?

A: Yes, a proper mouthguard should cover all teeth up to the second molars (back teeth) for complete protection.

Q: If the guard has a strap, do I have to use it?

A: It is highly recommended. The strap keeps the guard secure and prevents it from being dropped and lost on the field. It also keeps it cleaner.