Custom Volleyball Mouthguards
Volleyball has a net between the teams, but teeth still get hit: by spiked or blocked balls, by a teammate's elbow or head on a shared dig, or on a dive to the floor. The American Dental Association (ADA) lists volleyball among the sports where it recommends a properly fitted mouthguard. This guide covers what the ADA says, why we recommend NanoBite for volleyball, and how clubs and school teams order.
Is a mouthguard required for volleyball?
It is recommended, though not usually required. The ADA's guidance on athletic mouth protectors includes a table of activities in which mouthguard use is recommended. Volleyball is listed there under limited-contact and other sports, along with gymnastics, softball and weightlifting.
Requirements are different. According to the ADA, the NFHS (high school) and NCAA (college) require mouthguards in football, field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse, plus NFHS wrestlers with braces. Volleyball is not on that list, so check whether your club or league has its own rule. To compare sports, see mouthguard rules by sport.
Why wear one anyway? The ADA cites a 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis which found that mouthguard users were 82% to 93% less likely to suffer dentofacial injuries than non-users. More on how a guard helps: how mouthguards protect your teeth from chips and cracks.
Stock, boil-and-bite or custom?
Stock guards are pre-formed in a few sizes, and the ADA calls them the least effective type because they fit poorly and you have to keep your mouth shut to hold them in place. Boil-and-bite guards are softened in hot water and molded with bite pressure, so the fit depends on how well the molding goes. Custom guards are made from an impression of your own teeth, so they stay in place without clenching. They usually cost more than over-the-counter options. More on the difference: why custom mouthguards outperform boil-and-bite.
Our pick for volleyball: NanoBite
NanoBite is the AlienGuard we recommend for volleyball. It is our ultra-slim, 4 mm, lowest-profile guard and the best of our models for breathing and talking, so you can call "mine," call out hitters and talk through rotations with it in. It is the same guard we recommend for basketball, soccer, wrestling and other team sports.
- Base colors: Clear, White or Black.
- Custom text: up to 3 characters, such as your jersey number or initials, with a choice of text colors, including metallic and satin finishes.
- Extras: Impression Storage keeps your model on file and takes 20% off future reorders. Expedited Lab Service (3 Day) is available before a deadline, like the start of club season.
How thick should a volleyball guard be?
Choose by how hard you get hit, not by the size of your mouth. Volleyball hits are less direct than combat strikes, and that is what our 4 mm guards are made for. Our 5 mm guards, Origin and Origin Pro, are made for boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate and taekwondo. Those combat sports involve heavy, direct strikes, so we don't recommend those guards for volleyball. See the sizing and fit guide, or read how thick a mouthguard should be.
Players who lift
NanoBite also works in the weight room. If heavy lifting is a big part of your training, PowerBite is our guard built for powerlifting and weightlifting. It is meant for lifting, not for the court. See weightlifting mouthguards.
Braces and dental work
Every order requires a liability waiver. Athletes with braces can get AlienGuards, but their dentist needs to take the impression instead of using our at-home kit, so the braces don't get damaged. Your dentist can take an impression or 3D scan, then ship it to us or email it to impressions@alienguards.com. There is no age limit. Parents can read our guide to custom mouthguards for kids and youth athletes.
Ordering for a volleyball team
Club teams, school programs and coaches can order through team orders:
- 20% off mouthguards and merch, with a minimum order of 5 mouthguards.
- Your team logo on the guards, plus player names or numbers.
- On-site fitting to help every player take a good impression (minimum order and location apply).
More on team programs: custom mouthguards for gyms and teams.
How ordering works
- Build and order. Pick your base color and custom text. We ship you an impression kit.
- Take your impression. Follow the impression guide at home, or read how to take your impression without a dentist visit. It takes about 10 minutes, and the putty sets in 2 minutes 30 seconds. Email us a photo of the impression, then mail it back to our lab.
- We make it. Your guard is formed on a model of your bite, pressure-formed from dental-grade material and finished by hand in the USA. It is crafted within 10–14 business days after we receive a good impression, then shipped with tracking.
Not sure which model fits your sport? Read how to choose the right mouthguard for your sport. If a tooth does get knocked out at a match, follow our knocked-out tooth first aid guide and see a dentist right away.
Volleyball mouthguard FAQ
Do volleyball players need a mouthguard?
The ADA recommends a properly fitted mouthguard for volleyball. It lists volleyball among the limited-contact sports where mouthguard use is recommended. The NFHS and NCAA mouthguard mandates the ADA lists don't include volleyball, so check whether your club or league has its own rule.
Which AlienGuard is best for volleyball?
NanoBite. It is our slimmest guard, 4 mm thick, and the best of our models for breathing and talking. Origin and Origin Pro are for combat sports, and PowerBite is for lifting.
Can I call the ball with a mouthguard in?
Yes. Custom guards are thin and precise, so most athletes breathe and talk normally in one. See can you breathe, talk and drink with a mouthguard?
Can I wear one with braces?
Yes. Your dentist needs to take your impression instead of using our at-home kit, so your braces don't get damaged. Your dentist can take an impression or 3D scan, then ship it to us or email it to impressions@alienguards.com.
Do volleyball clubs get team pricing?
Yes. Teams, clubs and schools get 20% off mouthguards and merch with a minimum order of 5 mouthguards. Apply through team orders.
More answers are in the FAQ. Prices for every model are in how much a custom mouthguard costs.