This summer, we considered whether highly competitive cyclists should start wearing mouth guards while racing down single-track trails or speeding along gravel roads. For thoughts on that, we turned to the Steamboat Locals trusted dentist, Dr. Jim McCreight of McCreight Progressive Dentistry. As winter approaches and young athletes gear up for high-speed races or gravity-defying tricks, we wanted to revisit the importance of wearing a mouth guard during winter sports.
For young athletes in Steamboat Springs, winter is not just a season—it is a lifestyle. From soaring off kickers to threading the tight lines of mogul fields, Steamboat’s skiers and snowboarders embody both skill and daring. For members of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), the mountain is their playground, their training ground and occasionally, the site of their greatest challenges.
As thrilling as these pursuits are, they come with undeniable risks. Dr. McCreight knows this all too well. He has spent years treating athletes whose passion for winter sports has occasionally collided with reality in the form of injuries. “Nobody plans to fall,” he explains. “But we all know that in high-impact sports like skiing and snowboarding, the possibility is always there. A mouth guard is not just about protecting your teeth—it could stabilize your jaw and potentially lower the risk of a concussion.”
Much like helmets and goggles, mouth guards are quickly becoming a must-have for competitor safety.
Steamboat’s mountainous terrain offers endless opportunities for adventure, but with that comes increased exposure to crashes and falls. Whether it is a mistimed rotation on the halfpipe or a slight miscalculation on a downhill run, the risk is as inherent to competitive winter sports as the adrenaline. Dr. McCreight reflects on the shift in safety awareness over the years. “Back in the 70s and 80s, we didn’t wear helmets or mouth guards, and we rarely heard about concussions,” he says. “Now, there’s a heightened awareness, especially in sports where high-impact collisions are common. For athletes racing down the slopes or navigating big mountain terrain, the risk of injury can be significant, which is why protective equipment like mouth guards has gained recognition as a necessary part of the gear.”
Mouth guards provide more than just dental protection. They can absorb impacts, reducing the risk of teeth being knocked out, jaws being fractured or soft tissues being cut. Beyond the visible injuries, however, lies another, often overlooked benefit: concussion mitigation. “Research is still evolving,” Dr. McCreight explains, “but we now understand that stabilizing the jaw can help reduce force transmission to the brain. It’s not a guarantee against concussions, but it’s another layer of protection. When you’re flying down a mountain at high speeds, every bit of prevention matters.”
Dr. McCreight has treated countless ski and snowboard injuries, many requiring extensive and costly smile reconstruction.
One common misconception is that mouth guards are an expensive addition to an athlete’s gear. While custom-fitted options provide the best protection and comfort, Dr. McCreight emphasizes that even over-the-counter models are effective. “There’s really no excuse not to wear one,” he says. “Something as simple as a Shock Doctor mouth guard, which you can pick up for a reasonable price, can make all the difference. It’s a small investment that can save you thousands in dental repairs—or worse, a long-term injury.”
Parents often hesitate to add another piece of equipment to their child’s already long list of gear, but the potential cost savings—and peace of mind—make it worth considering. “If it were my child,” Dr. McCreight continues, “and they were competing in something as high-risk as halfpipe or downhill racing, I’d insist on it 1000%. You don’t want to be in a position where you’re asking, ‘What if?’ after an injury.”
Beyond the dental protections, mouth guards may also have the potential to enhance athletic performance. By keeping the jaw properly positioned and reducing clenching, they can help athletes maintain better focus and control. “When athletes are under stress, their instinct is often to clench their teeth,” Dr. McCreight explains. “A mouth guard helps keep the jaw in alignment, which can reduce strain and improve overall biomechanics. It’s a subtle advantage, but for competitive athletes, even small improvements can make a big difference.”
For competitive athletes, wearing a mouth guard has become just as essential as helmets and goggles. Does this mean everyone should wear a mouth guard when on the slopes or in the backcountry? “While I know other dentists who do, I don’t typically wear a mouth guard when I’m skiing casually,” Dr. McCreight admits, “I’m simply not skiing as aggressively as the young athletes who are competing, and therefore pushing their limits on a regular basis. The risk of injury is higher in those settings, and the mouth guard helps reduce that risk.”
Dr. McCreight has seen firsthand the devastation that injuries can cause. Reflecting on his time as the on-call dentist for the emergency room, he recalls athletes arriving with teeth in hand—or missing altogether. “Sometimes the teeth are just gone, lost in the snow,” he says. “In those moments, you wish the athlete had been wearing a mouth guard. Not only might it have helped prevent significant injury, but in some cases it can act as a natural splint, holding damaged teeth in place.”
For young athletes and their parents, the message is clear: A mouth guard is not just another piece of equipment. It is a critical tool for protection, prevention and even performance.
This awareness has grown significantly in recent years, especially in sports where high-impact collisions can be common. “Another arena that’s probably as popular as ski racing in this town is hockey”, McCreight muses. “In the hockey culture, due to the heightened awareness around lowering the risk of concussions, mouth guards have become a standard part of the equipment. It’s interesting that using a mouth guard is standard in hockey, so why isn’t it equally common in other competition sports where high-impact head injuries are a risk?”
In high-impact sports like skiing and snowboarding, the risks are undeniable—especially when pushing the limits in competition. Just as helmets have become essential for protection, mouth guards should be viewed as more than an optional accessory. They are an investment in safety, performance and peace of mind. For competitive athletes and their parents, choosing to include a mouth guard could make all the difference—on the mountain and beyond.
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