American Football Mouthguards

Quick answer: in American football, a mouthguard is compulsory as soon as there is contact, alongside the helmet and its facemask. It has to stay on the upper arch without a strap, let you breathe between plays and let you call the cadence. Some rules require a clearly visible colour to make inspection easier. A boil-and-bite model is fine for flag football and beginners; a custom-fit model is better for players who string together tackles and blocks.

In this guide

1. Helmet, facemask and mouthguard
2. Flag or contact
3. Strap and colour
4. Choosing by position
5. Teams and youth players

The facemask does not protect your teeth

The helmet and its facemask stop direct contact to the face, but not the shock transmitted to the jaw during a tackle, a block or a fall to the ground. The lower jaw slams against the upper arch, and that is where the mouthguard, or gum shield, does its job: it separates the two arches, cushions the impact and protects the lips and cheeks from the teeth. That is why the rules require it at the same time as the helmet.

The mouthguard does not replace any certified equipment. It must work with the chin strap fastened and the facemask in place, without you having to change the position of your helmet to tolerate it.

Flag football or contact football

Flag football is played without tackling or helmets, but collisions between players, elbows and balls to the face still happen. A mouthguard is recommended there, and sometimes required for young players depending on the league: check the rules of the French American Football Federation or of your organiser.

In contact football, there is no question: the mouthguard is compulsory at every training session and every game. Linemen, who take contact on every play, benefit from enough thickness at the front and a fit that does not shift when the head is pushed.

Helmet strap and visible colour

Many players use a mouthguard tethered to the facemask with a strap so they do not lose it between plays. A moulded model that holds on the upper arch by itself can be worn without a strap; just check that your league does not require one. In any case, avoid chewing the guard when it hangs from the facemask: it deforms and loses its fit.

Some rules require a bold colour that the referee can see, rather than white or clear. Team colours are a good way to meet this requirement while keeping the changing room uniform. Confirm the rule in force in your league before choosing.

Boil-and-bite or custom-fit, depending on your position

For a beginner, a flag football player or a first season, a well-moulded boil-and-bite mouthguard (thermoformable, moulded at home in hot water) does the job. Mould it by following the instructions, let it cool, then test it with your helmet on: a model that feels loose in the changing room will not hold under contact.

For regular players, linemen and competitors, a custom-fit mouthguard made from a dental impression gives a precise fit, controlled thickness at the front and a profile that breathes better during long drives. At Proteksports, generally allow 5–10 days after your impression has been approved: plan ahead of the start of the season. The rugby guide covers the same tackling constraints in detail.

Kitting out a team and youth categories

American football clubs often equip a whole roster at the start of the season. A team order in the team’s colours, with each player’s name or number, makes equipment checks easier and avoids players mixing up their guards. Team managers can go through the club offer.

For young players, check the fit at the start of every season and after any dental change: growth quickly makes an old model unsuitable. With orthodontic braces, ask the orthodontist for advice before choosing the type of protection.

Fit, care and ordering

The steps common to all sports are in the instructions and the comparison.

In American football, check your league’s colour and strap requirements, then test the mouthguard with your full helmet on before the first contact session.