The Best Football Mouthguard: What to Look for, What to Avoid, and Why Lip Protection Matters

Vettex Sports
2026-04-13T20:40:57-04:00

Looking for the best football mouthguard? This guide covers fit, lip protection, braces, sizing, and why the Vettex DoubleGuard stands out.

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Choosing a football mouthguard sounds simple. It isn't. The wrong one falls out mid-play, makes it impossible to breathe, ruins your ability to call a play, or fails to protect your lips when you take a hit to the face. The right one you forget is even there — until it saves your teeth.

This guide breaks down exactly what to look for, which type is right for your position, and why lip protection is the feature most players overlook until it's too late.

The 3 Types of Football Mouthguards

1. Stock Mouthguards

Pre-formed, one-size-fits-all, and cheap. Available at any pharmacy for under $5. They work as a last resort but don't fit well, which means most players spit them out between plays — which completely defeats the purpose. Not recommended for serious athletes.

2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

You soften them in hot water and bite down to create a custom impression. A significant step up from stock guards — better fit, more comfortable, and players actually keep them in. This is the most common type at the high school and college level and the right starting point for most athletes.

3. Custom Dentist-Made Mouthguards

Made from a dental impression by a professional. The best fit and protection available. Used by many NFL players. Cost is $200–$500+, which puts them out of reach for most athletes — but the fit advantage is real.

The Feature Most Players Skip: Lip Protection

Standard mouthguards — even well-fitting boil-and-bite ones — protect your teeth and reduce concussion risk. What they don't protect is your lips. Lip lacerations are among the most common facial injuries in football, and they're entirely preventable.

The Vettex DoubleGuard Mouthguard was built specifically to solve this. It's the original lip-protecting football mouthguard — a dual-layer design that guards your teeth, braces, and lips simultaneously. It's the mouthguard Tyreek Hill wears, it's NCAA and NFHS legal, and it's available in 20+ colors so you can match your team.

What to Look for by Position

Quarterbacks and Offensive Linemen

Communication is everything. A mouthguard that makes it hard to talk gets pulled out constantly — which means it's not protecting you. QBs need a guard with built-in airflow channels that allows normal breathing and speech. The Vettex DoubleGuard features two integrated airflow channels specifically designed for this.

Skill Position Players (Receivers, DBs, Running Backs)

You're taking hits to the face in contested catch situations and tackles. Lip protection matters more here than anywhere else. A strap that keeps the mouthguard attached to your facemask means you're never scrambling to find it before the next snap.

Youth Players

Fit is the most important factor for younger athletes. A mouthguard that's too big or too loose won't stay in — and a youth player who can't breathe or talk comfortably will take it out. The Vettex DoubleGuard comes in youth sizing and is explicitly safe for braces, which matters for middle school and high school players.

Players with Braces

Standard boil-and-bite guards are not designed for braces — the heat molding process can damage brackets and wires. You need a guard explicitly rated for braces. The Vettex DoubleGuard is braces-compatible straight out of the package, no molding required.

The 5 Things That Make a Football Mouthguard Worth Wearing

1. Fit — It should stay in place through contact without needing to be repositioned. If you're constantly pushing it back into place, it won't protect you when it matters.

2. Breathability — Airflow channels are non-negotiable for a three-hour game. You need to be able to breathe normally and communicate without pulling the guard out.

3. Lip coverage — Standard guards leave your lips exposed. If you've ever taken a shot to the mouth, you understand why this matters.

4. Strap compatibility — For helmeted sports, a strap that attaches to your facemask means your mouthguard is always where you left it.

5. Certifications — Make sure your guard is legal for your level of play. The Vettex DoubleGuard is fully NCAA and NFHS certified.

Mouthguard Colors and Team Matching

This gets overlooked in buying guides but matters to players. Wearing your team's colors is part of the uniform identity, and a mouthguard dangling from your facemask is visible. The Vettex DoubleGuard comes in 20+ colors — black, navy, scarlet red, kelly green, columbia blue, pink, vegas gold, and more — so you can match exactly.

Youth vs. Adult Sizing — Which Do You Need?

Youth mouthguards are sized for developing mouths — smaller jaw size, smaller teeth spacing. Putting an adult guard in a youth player's mouth won't protect them properly because it won't seat correctly. The Vettex DoubleGuard comes in both youth and adult sizes across all color options.

General guide:

Youth — ages 5–12, typically through middle school

Adult — high school through professional

If a young player is 12–14 and on the larger side, try adult sizing first — it will fit better than forcing youth sizing.

How Often Should You Replace a Football Mouthguard?

Most mouthguards should be replaced every season, or sooner if they show signs of wear — thinning, cracking, or loss of shape. A compressed or damaged mouthguard doesn't absorb impact the way a fresh one does. At $16.99 per unit with multi-pack discounts available, this is not the place to cut corners.

The Bottom Line: What to Buy

If you want the best all-around football mouthguard — one that protects your teeth, guards your lips, works with braces, allows normal breathing, comes with a strap, and is legal at every level of play — the Vettex DoubleGuard Mouthguard is the answer.

5 stars. Made in the USA. 20+ colors. NCAA and NFHS legal. Shop from $16.99 →

Keep Reading

Football Mouthguard Guide: How to Choose the Right One — a deeper dive into types and sizing

The Best Football Arm Sleeve for Grip & Protection — the other must-have piece of skill position gear

How to Stop Fumbling: Ball Security Tips & Drills — complete your game-day gear setup