More than three million teeth are knocked out each year in youth sports, according to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, and athletes who do not wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth.

“While competitive sports help kids remain active and healthy, they also increase the risk of oral injuries, including tooth loss,” said Delta Dental of Oklahoma chairman, president and CEO John Gladden. “Despite being a reliable way to mitigate this risk, mouthguards are not required to play the vast majority of youth sports in Oklahoma. We hope this program helps expand use of mouthguards for all sports, even when they are not a required piece of safety equipment.”

The microwaveable, moldable mouthguards are available in a variety of styles and sizes for athletes up to 18 years old. The mouthguards come with or without a strap and in two different sizes, adult (ages 11-18) and child (ages 10 and under). Mouthguards with straps are recommended for sports that utilize helmets, such as football or ice hockey, while strapless mouthguards are ideal for any sport.

Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation will provide kids with free Game On mouthguards, which are accepted by the American Dental Association and offer high-performance impact absorption. Game On mouthguards are made with a unique microwaveable material that fits easily over braces and contain hydrophobic properties that help prevent illness.

Oklahoma parents, coaches and league commissioners can secure free mouthguards for their young athletes by submitting a request online. The deadline for requests is April 30, 2024, or while supplies last. Orders will be delivered in June, just in time for summer and fall sport seasons.