You've seen it on Sunday highlights: NFL stars like Dyami Brown and George Pickens rocking two mouthguards in bold, clashing colors that pop off the screen. But here’s the part most fans get wrong: they’re not wearing two mouthpieces simultaneously.
One guard stays in for protection. The other? It dangles from the facemask as a backup, a style move, or a statement piece. This trend has exploded because it checks every box: player safety, swagger, and personal branding.
In this guide, you'll discover the real reasons behind the two-mouthpiece look, from fashion and team spirit to practical backup strategies. We'll also break down the league rules that make this trend possible in the NFL but tricky for high school and college athletes, plus show you how to build your own compliant, game-ready setup with Battle Sports gear.
Why Do Football Players Wear Mouthguards?
A mouthguard is an essential protective gear that covers your teeth and gums to absorb impact during collisions and reduce injury risk. When you take a hit, it prevents chipped or knocked-out teeth, cuts to your lips and tongue, and cushions your jaw from the force. Research shows that the risk of orofacial trauma in contact sports increases by 1.6–1.9 times when a mouthguard is not used.
While football mouthguards are mandatory in NCAA and high school football, they're optional for NFL players. This key difference in rules explains why you see more creative and bold mouthguard choices at the professional level.
The Rise of the Two-Mouthpiece Trend
This look has been amplified on social media, transforming basic safety gear into a powerful personal branding tool. Social media has amplified this look, transforming basic safety gear into a powerful personal branding tool. A new trend calls for doubling-up on the safety gear, even if that isn't its intended purpose.
This growing trend reflects how modern athletes use football drip to express themselves within strict uniform codes. When league rules limit things like custom cleats or wild jersey tweaks, the mouthguard becomes one of the few pieces you can fully personalize.
Reasons Players Have Two Mouthpieces
The reasons behind wearing two mouth guards extend far beyond basic protection. Today's players use this dual setup for style, messaging, and practical purposes that help them stand out on the field.
The Fashion and Self-Expression Factor
Your mouthpiece represents one of the few gear items you can customize under strict league uniform rules.
Washington Commanders receiver Dyami Brown has made his signature yellow-and-blue combo a recognizable trademark. When asked about it in 2022, Brown said he was changing up the drip and "trying to be a trendsetter." Meanwhile, other players pick combos that match:
- Team colors
- Cleats and gloves
- Visors, towels, or other accessories
For athletic players who care about both performance and presence, layering two mouthguards visually lets them build a complete look that reflects their style and mindset. The second one is often there to enhance the aesthetic, not double the protection.
Beyond individual expression, you can also coordinate your mouthguard with your cleats and football gloves to build a complete, cohesive look. Battle Sports offers football gear in multiple colorways, enabling you to create your own distinctive style while staying compliant with all league rules.
Intimidation and Team Spirit
A dual-color mouthpiece setup sends a clear message before you even take your first snap:
- One color tied to your home team.
- Another for a rival, a big matchup, or a statement.
- Both together sending a message before the ball is even snapped.
Coordinated combos across a group, like a wide receiver room or defensive back unit, can show unity. On the flip side, a bold, contrasting hanging guard can be a quiet way of saying, "I’m here, I’m locked in, and I’m not backing down.
That kind of visual confidence can fire up your sideline and mess with opponents’ heads without any extra bulk or adjustment to your actual protective setup.
Color Coordination and Messaging
Beyond team spirit, most players now use their mouthguards to support causes they care deeply about. You'll commonly see pink football gear during Breast Cancer Awareness Month or camo designs for Veterans Day games.
Having two mouthpieces allows you to layer your messaging more effectively:
- Cause awareness - One color represents a charity or social issue close to your heart
- Team identity - The second color proudly shows your squad loyalty
- Personal branding - Both colors together create your signature, recognizable look
This strategic practice transforms your protective equipment into a powerful platform for both advocacy and personal expression.
Practical Considerations
Beyond style and messaging, there's also a genuinely practical side to having a secondary mouthguard ready. It serves as a convenient backup if your primary one gets lost, becomes dirty, or gets damaged during intense gameplay.
With dental injuries costing families between $500 million and $1.8 billion annually, maintaining continuous protection becomes even more critical. This dual setup allows for a quick fix without frantically searching through equipment bags on the sideline, especially when proper maintenance keeps both guards game-ready.
That’s why your main piece needs to be something you can trust every snap. A design like the Battle Speed Pro Football Mouthguard uses an advanced composite, a thick connected strap that resists breaking, and a lip shield with built-in airflow so you’re protected without constant adjusting or worrying it’ll snap mid-drive. Plus, the two-tone colorways make it easy to match your game-day drip.
League Regulations and Player Freedom
The rules surrounding mouthguards vary greatly by competition level, which directly influences your freedom to participate in this popular trend.
NFL players enjoy the most flexibility here since mouthguards remain optional, and you're given the freedom to make customizations. While you can't display political or commercial messages, virtually all colors and creative designs are considered a fair game.
However, college and high school rules are significantly stricter. Here's how:
|
Level |
Required? |
Color Restrictions |
Dangling Allowed? |
Enforcement |
|
NFL |
No |
None (no political/commercial messages) |
Yes |
Player choice |
|
NCAA |
Yes |
Some conferences require visible colors |
Varies by conference |
Referees may flag |
|
NFHS (High School) |
Yes |
Must be readily visible |
No; refs can remove the player |
Strict enforcement |
At the high school level specifically, referees can immediately remove you from the game for not wearing your mouthguard properly or for having one dangling from your helmet.
New NFHS rules specify that items attached to mouthguards that do not serve a protective purpose will not be allowed. This means younger athletes must carefully prioritize following rules over personal expression and style to stay actively in the game.
Protect Your Game with Battle Sports Football Mouthguards
Battle Sports designs mouthguards specifically for superior comfort, optimal airflow, and elite dental protection at every competitive level. Our gear undergoes strict testing to ensure it consistently stands up to the toughest hits while maintaining perfect fit and comfort throughout entire games.
If you want to build your own two-mouthguard look without crossing the line on safety or rules, it starts with a legit primary guard. You can build your complete setup with these key components:
- Primary protection - Custom fit mouthguards that mold perfectly to your unique teeth.
- Specialized options - Football mouthguards for braces that provides full protection without compromising comfort.
- Color coordination - Matching secondary guard for your signature look.
- Proper storage - Ventilated case to keep both guards clean and game-ready.
At Battle Sports, you never have to compromise essential protection for fashion. Our innovative gear empowers you to stand out confidently while staying completely safe, whether you're changing up the drip or trying to be a trendsetter on your team.
Sources:
- Frontiers in Medicine. Mouthguard types, properties and influence on performance in sport activities: a narrative review. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1527621/full
- Yahoo Sports. Why are some NFL players wearing two mouth guards? https://sports.yahoo.com/why-nfl-players-wearing-two-160440647.html
- Orthodontic Products. April is National Facial Protection Month. https://orthodonticproductsonline.com/industry-news/association-news/april-is-national-facial-protection-month/
- National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Football Rules Changes – 2025. https://nfhs.org/resources/sports/football-rules-changes-2025