Finding The Best Athletic Mouth Guard For Hockey
You probably already know that every hockey player, (whether professional or not) is required to wear a protective mouth guard when playing.
Hockey involves a lot of force and energy. Many times, falls and collisions (not to mention a hockey puck or stick to the mouth) can cause injuries to the mouth. Again, if your mouth gets hit by a hockey stick or puck – or a fist – and you are not wearing a mouth guard, you may face severe problems such as losing your teeth, suffering from a broken jaw, or even worse, getting a concussion.
Because of these risks, having a quality mouth guard and using it whenever you’re playing hockey is very important. You should get yourself the right mouth guard that fits well in your mouth, is comfortable to wear, and offers the protection you need. Read on to find out how to find the best hockey mouth guard, and why you should consider having one custom-made for you.
So, what is the best mouth guard for hockey? Hockey players will oftentimes cut the back molars out of their guards to make them more comfortable. A player should not have to go that route if the guard is made to be as comfortable as possible. A mouth guard can be trimmed and polished in a way that makes it fits like a glove onto the teeth, while still offering the protection needed.
What is the best mouth guard for hockey?
If you’re looking to purchase a protective mouth guard for hockey, choose one that fits properly in your mouth.
You don’t want to buy a mouthpiece that will fall off/out. A correctly fitting mouth guard is also comfortable; it is not obtrusive, and it allows you to communicate with your teammates easily.
The best hockey mouth guard should be thick enough to adequately absorb the impact from say, falling or getting struck with a hockey stick. The impact may come with a lot of force, and only a thick enough mouth guard can fully protect your teeth and jaws by taking most of the blow. Besides, a thick mouth guard made from quality material will keep your top and bottom teeth properly separated when you clench or grind your teeth.
How thick should your hockey mouthguard be?
At least 3 mm thick.
Taking proper care of your mouth guard is also extremely important. A mouth guard that tastes badly can be very distracting – not to mention the germs that can accrue.
Ever heard of mouth thrush? Keep your guard clean. Clean it almost as often as you brush your teeth. You don’t want a “flavored” mouth guard!
To take proper care of your night guard, you’ll need a toothbrush and mild organic soap.
- Clean nightly.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry after cleaning and store in the original case.
It’s a good idea to do a deep cleanse every two weeks with a night guard cleaner or a denture cleaner. The longevity of your custom mouth guard depends on how well you take care of it.
Durable material
While playing, most players do a lot of clenching and grinding (which may be involuntary). This, coupled with the saliva in your mouth, accelerates wear and tear of mouth guards. The best mouth guard for hockey should, therefore, be water-resistant and made from high-quality material to ensure long-term reliability.
While you can find a good boil and bite type of mouth guard at a local store, it is important to note the fact that custom-made mouth guards are far superior to standard one-size-fits-all mouth guards. Sentinel Mouth Guards are made using quality thermoplastic material. Here are some of the reasons you should consider getting a custom fit mouth guard;
- A custom fit mouth guard is not only professionally made to fit your unique dental anatomy, but it is also designed for your particular type of sport (hockey in this case).
The lab will adjust your mouth guard depending on various factors, including the size of your mouth and the level of your sport. A full contact sport such as hockey would require a 3mm thick mouth guard. - Because custom-fit mouth guards are made with complete precision, they fit perfectly in your mouth, giving you maximum comfort and safety. Most boil and bite mouth guards don’t often provide this. A custom fit mouth guard will stay snug against your gums and teeth, so it doesn’t fall off easily.
- The thermoplastic material used in making custom-fit mouth guards provides unrivaled protection. The material is specially designed to absorb impact forces effectively.
- Custom-fit mouth guards are also unobtrusive, and unlike many boil and bite types, they allow users to talk without them flipping around in the mouth. Since they stay in place when worn, they do not restrict air flow, meaning you will be able to breathe just as you would without a mouth guard.
- Custom-fit mouth guards are also known to last longer than the boil and bite types. This is because only high-quality material is used in making them. Their durability is also enhanced by their snug shape which makes them stay in place when worn.
Additionally, the Sentinel Mouth Guard comes with a 1 year warranty. If it wears down or warps during that time frame, we will replace at no cost to you.
The best hockey mouth guard on the market today
Can we toot our own horn here? Why not? We offer the exact same custom mouth guard sold in dental offices for a fraction of the price.
Same machinery, methods and materials. Plus, you take your dental impression in the convenience of your own home.
Custom mouth guards are by far the best protective device for your teeth. This mouthpiece comes with a soft clear inside lining that allows the teeth to sink in perfectly. It has an exoskeleton-like shock frame that offers optimum protection, and the fitting is made from your unique dental anatomy.
This is by far the top tier in mouth protection. Dentist grade quality direct from the Sentinel lab, with multiple colors available. BPA, Silicon and Latex free. On sale for a limited time.
Best Mouthguards for Hokey: The Bottom Line
There are various brands and types of hockey mouth guards in the market today, but only a premium, custom made mouth guard can guarantee you the best results.
The next time you plan to shop for hockey mouth gear, remember to check out our custom guards. Use the guidelines given in this article when shopping for a hockey mouth guard. That way, odds are you get the best mouth guard.
Key points to remember
- You don’t need to cut your mouth guard to make it comfortable. The Sentinel Mouthguard is custom made for you and will fit snug onto your teeth. You can breath naturally with the guard in your mouth. You can talk, and drink water.
All of the bulkiness typically found in mass produced guards is not needed. Most of the lab technicians at Sentinel Mouthguard Co. have played sports themselves and have a thorough understanding of what makes a mouthguard comfortable, and what makes it intolerable. - Taking your dental impression is easy. The putty you receive in the package is a lot like play-doh. Once the putty is mixed together, submerge all the whites of your teeth. After 3 minutes, it will harden to a rubber-like consistency. For a well fitted sports Mouthguard, you will need to make sure you submerge all the whites of your teeth and up into your gum-line.
- The average person buys 3-5 store bought Mouthguards per year at an average cost of $20 for each purchase. This equates to $60-$100 per year on Mouth Guards. The most common reason a new mouthguard is purchased is because it has been bitten through. The Sentinel Mouthguard is made with a high quality dentist-grade material and is made to withstand biting and chewing.
