Should I Wear a Mouthguard for Tennis? The Case for Protection on the Court
Tennis might not look like the kind of sport where a mouthguard is necessary. It’s not football, you’re not trading punches like in boxing, and nobody’s swinging hockey sticks near your face. Still, that doesn’t mean your teeth are automatically out of harm’s way. Fast serves, stray rackets, and unexpected collisions are all part of the game, and they can turn into dental emergencies before you know it. The idea of wearing a mouthguard in tennis might sound excessive at first, but once you start weighing the risks against the comfort of a thin protective piece, the question becomes less about “why would I?” and more about “why wouldn’t I?”
The Reality of Tennis-Related Injuries
When people think about tennis injuries, they usually picture sprained ankles, elbow strain, or shoulder fatigue. Dental injuries rarely make the highlight reel, but they happen more often than most realize. A doubles partner lunging for the same ball can clip you with their racket or elbow. A misjudged overhead shot might send a ball rocketing toward your face at a speed that rivals a baseball pitch. Even a fall on a hard court can put your teeth in danger. Dentists and sports physicians know this, and that’s why some already recommend mouthguards in sports that traditionally haven’t embraced them. It’s not about painting tennis as dangerous—it’s about recognizing that risk exists and preparing for it.
What often surprises players is that dental trauma doesn’t take much force. A ball traveling at 60 or 70 miles per hour is enough to chip a tooth or cause painful soft-tissue injuries inside the mouth. At higher levels of play, where serves can exceed 100 miles per hour, the risk only increases. While pro players don’t commonly wear mouthguards, many recreational athletes have started to use them, especially those who know how expensive and time-consuming dental repairs can be. Prevention is almost always easier to live with than a crown or implant.
The Comfort Factor and Practical Concerns
The biggest hesitation for tennis players is comfort. Nobody wants something bulky in their mouth while they’re trying to breathe, call shots, or stay focused during long rallies. Fortunately, mouthguards have come a long way. Today’s versions are thin, lightweight, and custom-molded to fit snugly without interfering with speech or airflow. You can even find models designed specifically for non-contact sports, where protection is needed but not at the level of collision-heavy games. Once fitted properly, many athletes say they barely notice them after a few minutes of play.
Another concern is heat. Tennis is often played outdoors in the sun, and players worry that a mouthguard might make them feel hotter or more uncomfortable. In reality, modern guards are made from materials that don’t trap heat and don’t significantly affect hydration or breathing. For anyone who’s worn orthodontic retainers, the adjustment period is similar—strange at first, then quickly part of the routine.
Building Safer Habits on the Court
There’s an important connection between protective gear and habit formation. Many tennis players already follow a set of tennis safety tips without thinking about them: stretching before play, hydrating often, wearing proper shoes, and applying sunscreen for outdoor matches. Adding a mouthguard to that list is simply one more way to protect yourself. Safety doesn’t have to feel like overkill; it’s about small decisions that add up to more confident and enjoyable play. For parents of junior players, the case is even stronger. Kids are more prone to accidents and less likely to anticipate collisions, which means an affordable guard could save them from serious injury during their formative years on the court.
The best part is that the presence of a mouthguard doesn’t just protect teeth—it also reduces the risk of lip and tongue lacerations. Even if you’ve never been hit in the mouth with a tennis ball, you’ve probably bitten your lip or tongue during an unexpected jolt. Multiply that by the speed and unpredictability of tennis, and you can see how protection has value beyond broken teeth.
Comparisons With Other Sports
Skeptics often point out that mouthguards are non-negotiable in sports like football, hockey, and lacrosse, but not in tennis. That’s true, but it’s also worth remembering that football and tennis don’t share the same injury profile. The difference is that one sport is recognized as full-contact and the other is not. Still, protective practices often filter down. For example, football mouthguards weren’t always mandatory; it took years of data and advocacy for the culture to shift. Tennis is unlikely to ever require them, but individual players can make their own call based on awareness of risk.
What makes tennis unique is the combination of speed and proximity. In doubles, players often hover near the net while opponents rip volleys from only a few feet away. A mistimed shot can easily find your mouth. Even in singles, stray balls and self-inflicted mishaps with a racket aren’t uncommon. Those realities blur the line between so-called contact and non-contact sports. Mouthguards don’t need a rulebook mandate to be a smart choice—they just need a player who values prevention.
Psychological Confidence and Performance
There’s also a less obvious angle: psychology. Some athletes find that wearing protective gear helps them play with more confidence. When you’re not distracted by the “what if” of an accidental hit, you’re free to swing more boldly and chase down tough shots without hesitation. Confidence doesn’t come from a piece of plastic alone, of course, but eliminating one area of vulnerability can make a noticeable difference. The peace of mind is especially helpful for players recovering from past dental injuries who want to get back on the court without fear.
That said, a mouthguard isn’t for everyone. Some players simply can’t get comfortable, even with the most advanced designs. Others may feel their risk is low enough that they don’t see the point. Tennis is ultimately a personal sport, and like choices about footwear, strings, or training routines, decisions about gear come down to individual needs and comfort. The important thing is knowing the facts and making an informed choice instead of assuming that risk doesn’t exist.
When It Makes the Most Sense
For players who spend hours on the court each week, especially those in competitive or high-intensity matches, the case for a mouthguard is stronger. The more time you spend in the game, the more opportunities there are for accidents. Junior players, college athletes, and anyone prone to aggressive net play are also in higher-risk categories. Even recreational players who only play on weekends might decide the trade-off is worth it if they’ve experienced or witnessed dental injuries in the past. Think of it like sunscreen: you don’t need it every second of your life, but when you’re exposed, it’s better to have the protection in place than to deal with damage later.
Dentists often recommend custom-made mouthguards for serious athletes because they fit better and last longer than store-bought options. They’re not cheap, but compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a tooth, the investment is reasonable. For casual players, boil-and-bite models from sporting goods stores provide decent protection at a fraction of the cost. Whichever path you choose, the goal is the same: reduce risk without interfering with the joy of the game.
The question of whether you should wear a mouthguard for tennis doesn’t come with a universal yes or no. What it comes with is an understanding that accidents happen in every sport, even ones not known for contact. Tennis may not require a wall of padding, but your teeth are worth protecting. The decision ultimately rests on how you balance comfort with caution, but there’s no denying that this simple piece of gear has the potential to prevent major setbacks. On a court where you already juggle speed, skill, and strategy, safeguarding your smile might be one of the smartest plays you can make.
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