Mouthguard Day
September 7
About Mouthguard Day
Mouthguard Day takes place on the first Monday of September each year, falling on Monday, 7 September 2026. The day was created by mouthguard manufacturer OPRO to raise public awareness of how a simple piece of protective equipment can prevent painful, costly and often permanent damage to teeth during sport. It is timed to coincide with the start of the new school year and sporting season, when children and adults alike return to the pitch, court and ring.
What is Mouthguard Day?
Mouthguard Day is an annual awareness campaign dedicated to promoting the use of mouthguards in sport and protecting oral health. It is aimed at athletes of all ages, parents, coaches, teachers and dental professionals, encouraging them to treat mouth protection as seriously as helmets, shin pads and gloves. The day was founded by OPRO, a British company that has been designing and manufacturing custom-fit and self-fit mouthguards for decades. Its central message is straightforward: a mouthguard is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to avoid a dental injury that could otherwise last a lifetime.
When is Mouthguard Day?
Mouthguard Day is held on the first Monday of September every year. In 2026 it falls on Monday, 7 September. The date is deliberately variable rather than fixed, because it is anchored to the start of the school year and the autumn sporting season. This is the point when many young people take up contact sports for the first time or return to training after the summer, making it the ideal moment to think about protecting their teeth.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, 7 September |
| 2027 | Monday, 6 September |
| 2028 | Monday, 4 September |
| 2029 | Monday, 3 September |
| 2030 | Monday, 2 September |
Why Mouthguard Day Matters
Dental injuries are among the most common and most preventable injuries in sport, yet awareness of mouth protection remains surprisingly low. Research suggests that between 13 and 39 per cent of all dental injuries are linked to sporting accidents, and roughly 80 per cent of traumatic dental injuries affect the upper front teeth, the part of the smile most visible and most difficult to repair. Traumatic dental injuries are remarkably widespread: they have been described as one of the most prevalent health conditions in the world, with more than a billion people living with the consequences of trauma to their teeth.
The case for protection is compelling. A landmark study tracking more than 70,000 college basketball players found that those who wore mouthguards suffered dental injuries at around one fifth the rate of players who went without. Basketball, perhaps surprisingly, records one of the highest rates of dental injury of any sport, ahead of many traditional contact games, largely because players rarely wear protection. A knocked-out adult tooth does not grow back, and the lifetime cost of repairing and maintaining a single lost tooth can run to thousands of pounds. Set against that, a mouthguard is an inexpensive and sensible investment. Mouthguard Day exists to close the gap between how easy protection is and how rarely it is used.
How to Get Involved in Mouthguard Day
There are many ways to mark the day, whether you are an athlete, a parent, a coach or a dental professional.
- Get fitted for a mouthguard – Visit your dentist to discuss a custom-fit mouthguard, which offers the best protection and comfort. If cost is a concern, a quality boil-and-bite version is far better than nothing.
- Check your existing mouthguard – Mouthguards wear out, lose their shape and harbour bacteria over time. Use the day as a prompt to inspect yours and replace it if it is cracked, loose or no longer fits well.
- Encourage children and teenagers to wear one – Young athletes are especially vulnerable as their adult teeth come through. Parents and guardians can make mouthguards a non-negotiable part of kit alongside boots and shin pads.
- Coaches: make protection part of the rules – Set a clear team policy that no one trains or plays without a mouthguard. Leading by example normalises protection for the whole squad.
- Dental practices can run an awareness drive – Surgeries and orthodontists can offer fitting sessions, share advice on social media and remind patients with braces that they need specially designed mouthguards.
- Spread the message online – Share statistics, before-and-after stories and protection tips on social media to help others understand the risk and the simple solution.
- Learn basic dental first aid – Know what to do if a tooth is knocked out: handle it by the crown, keep it moist in milk or saliva and seek a dentist immediately, as quick action can sometimes save the tooth.
- Talk to your club or school – Ask whether your local club, gym or school has a mouthguard policy, and suggest one if it does not.
History of Mouthguard Day
The mouthguard itself has a long history that stretches back well over a century. The earliest documented design is credited to British dentist Woolf Krause, who in 1892 fashioned a protective device from gutta-percha, a natural latex, to shield boxers from cut lips and broken teeth. His early version had to be reinserted before each round. His son, Philip Krause, later developed a reusable design that became the standard for many years and helped establish mouth protection as a fixture of boxing and, in time, many other sports.
Mouthguard Day is a far more recent creation. It was launched by OPRO, a mouthguard manufacturer with deep roots in dentistry, to give the cause a dedicated moment in the calendar. The company grew from the work of a dentist who saw at first hand how often children lost teeth in sport through wearing ill-fitting protection or none at all. That clinical perspective shaped both the products OPRO makes and the awareness campaign it founded.
By placing the day on the first Monday of September, the organisers tied it to the rhythm of the school and sporting year. As pupils return to lessons and clubs restart training, families are already buying kit and thinking about the season ahead, making it a natural moment to add a mouthguard to the shopping list. Since its launch the campaign has been supported by dental professionals, sports clubs and governing bodies who share the goal of preventing avoidable injuries.
Noteworthy Facts About Mouthguard Day
- The day always falls on the first Monday of September, lining it up with the start of the school and sporting year.
- The first known mouthguard was made from gutta-percha by British dentist Woolf Krause in 1892, originally for boxers.
- Around 80 per cent of traumatic dental injuries affect the upper front teeth, the most visible part of the smile.
- A study of more than 70,000 college basketball players found mouthguard wearers had roughly one fifth the dental injury rate of non-wearers.
- Basketball records one of the highest dental injury rates of any sport, in part because players seldom wear mouthguards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mouthguard Day?
Mouthguard Day is an annual awareness campaign, founded by manufacturer OPRO, that promotes the use of mouthguards in sport to prevent dental injuries. It encourages athletes, parents, coaches and dentists to treat mouth protection as essential kit.
When is Mouthguard Day in 2026?
Mouthguard Day falls on Monday, 7 September 2026. It is always held on the first Monday of September, so the date changes slightly each year.
Who organises Mouthguard Day?
The day was created by OPRO, a British mouthguard manufacturer founded on dental expertise. It is supported by dental professionals and sports organisations who want to reduce preventable injuries to teeth.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Mouthguard Day with your friends, family, teammates and followers. Use the hashtags #MouthguardDay and #MouthguardDay2026 on social media. The more people who know about Mouthguard Day, the more smiles can be saved on the sports field.
Related Awareness Days
- International Retainer Day – A dental awareness day focused on protecting orthodontic work and keeping smiles aligned after treatment.
- National Align Your Teeth Day – Encourages people to consider orthodontic care and the long-term benefits of a healthy, well-aligned smile.
- Toothache Day – A reminder of the importance of looking after teeth and seeking prompt care when dental problems arise.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
