RDA Practice Exam – California RDA Test Prep & Free Practice Test (2026)

Wearing a mouth guard is recommended for a competitive swimmer primarily because it helps protect the teeth and jaw from potential injuries that can occur during training or competition. Competitive swimming often involves frequent starts and turns, where swimmers might inadvertently collide with the pool edge or other swimmers. A mouth guard can provide a cushioning effect that helps absorb impact and prevents dental injuries such as chips, fractures, or dislocations.

Additionally, mouth guards can encourage proper mouth and jaw alignment, which contributes to better breathing and overall performance. In contact sports, the prevalence of injury is a well-recognized risk, and while swimming is generally not as contact-heavy as other sports, the potential for impact still exists. For these reasons, wearing a mouth guard can be a proactive measure to ensure the swimmer's dental health and safety during both practice and competition.

Though some may argue that mouth guards are unnecessary in non-contact scenarios, the protective benefits they offer in safeguarding against unforeseen accidents make their use advisable for swimmers at all competitive levels.