Why Mouthguards Matter in Rugby
Rugby is a tough sport. It’s fast, physical, and challenging—a combination of traits that makes it thrilling to play and watch. Given how demanding it is, player safety must be made a priority. In addition to pads and scrum caps, one of the most important tools players can keep in their personal protection arsenal is a well-fitted mouthguard.
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A Brief History of Mouthguards in Rugby
This initial acceptance among boxers opened doors for mouthguard use in other contact sports, a shift that has significantly improved player safety. In American football for example, over 50% of all injuries prior to the 1950s involved players’ teeth. Rates of dental injuries among football players nowadays have plummeted to less than 3%.
Today, whether or not mouthguards are required in rugby depends on a large extent on where you play:
- Rugby Australia says that players should be encouraged to wear mouthguards, but they are not mandated.
- England Rugby requires school players above school level use mouthguards, although it does not go so far as to necessitate them for all rugby players.
- The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) requires its players to wear mouthguards and has made moves to enforce that regulation.
- In the United States, USA Rugby says that mouthguards should be worn by players.
Even if your team’s rules don’t require you to wear a mouthguard during play, you can still take your safety into your own hands (or mouth) by choosing to use a mouthguard. Remember, dental and orofacial injuries don’t affect star players alone. They can happen to anyone, which is why you must always keep yourself protected by wearing a mouthguard.
Player Profiles
The drama unfolded during Australia’s game against the USA when Stannard went to tackle Martin Iosefo. As Stannard crunched in, real-time camera footage caught Stannard’s tooth flying out of his mouth. Another player was lucky enough to stumble across the tooth and passed it back to Stannard. Stannard, unsure of what to do, approached the referee Craig Joubert and asked Joubert to keep it safe for him.
Joubert’s microphone caught his surprised response. “No, I’m not going to put it in my pocket.”
Fortunately a member of the Australian management stepped in to take the tooth from Stannard, putting it in his pocket for safekeeping so that Stannard could finish his game.
Leigh Halfpenny is beloved by his fans for many things including his skill, sportsmanship, and strength. One extra attribute he has picked up over the years, however, is a uniquely toothless smile.
Halfpenny was interviewed after kicking his team to the European Champions Cup final in 2015, and it became quite clear quite quickly that something wasn’t right.
Halfpenny was missing a tooth.
“It’s my false one, it is,” he replied when presenter Alex Payne posed the question.
Unfortunately for Halfpenny, his dental drama didn’t end there. After Toulon’s winning championship match against
Clermont, Halfpenny’s teammate Matt Giteau posted a picture on Twitter with the caption “He’s given a little extra again for the game.. Now he smiles like a piano.” Halfpenny, standing beside Giteau, is now down a second tooth.
Click here to learn more about Halfpenny’s first missing tooth and here to find out more about his second.
Which Makura Mouthguard Is Best for Rugby Players?
That being said, there are some characteristics you can keep an eye out for when choosing a football mouthguard:
Fit
Certification
Features
Compare Makura Mouthguards
- Boasts the highest level of impact resistance (Level 3) attainable for mouth-adapted mouthguards.
- Features a SHOKBLOKER™ outer, FLEXICORE™ inner, and GELFORM™ liner for unparalleled shock absorption and comfort.
- CE approved and certified.
- Available in one size—senior (ages 11 and over)—and three colour combinations.
- Is Level 2 impact resistant.
- Features a SHOKBLOKER™ outer and GELFORM™ liner for maximum protection.
- Comes with a strap you can use to attach your mouthguard to your helmet.
- CE approved and certified.
- Available in two sizes—senior (ages 11 and over) and junior (ages 10 and under)—and three colour combinations.
- Is Level 2 impact resistant, the highest achievable for ready-made mouthguards.
- The ORTHO Channel fits over fixed braces for a secure fit.
- Features a SHOKBLOKER™ body for maximum shock absorption and SLIPSAFE pads that prevent it from slipping while the jaw is closed.
- CE approved and certified.
- Available in one size—senior (ages 11 and over)—and two colour combinations.
- The TOKA PRO™ is Level 2 Impact Resistant.
- The SHOKBLOKER™ outer keeps players safe, while the BOIL & BITE™ fit ensures uncompromised comfort.
- CE approved and certified.
- Available in two sizes—senior (ages 11 and over) and junior (ages 10 and under)—and six colour combinations.
- Available in strapped and strapless versions.
- Made with a tough SHOKBLOKER™ outer, AIRTHRU channel, and SLIPSAFE pads.
- Available in two sizes—junior (ages 10 and under) and senior (ages 11 and over)—and two colours, clear and black.
Shop Makura Mouthguards Online
Please be advised that the above link will take you to Amazon.co.uk.