If you are a player in sports such as hockey, then you should know that protection is a factor that should never be joked with. The hockey game requires all your energy, and the sticks used in the game can cause severe pain as well as other detrimental issues peradventure your mouth gets hit.
No player wants to lose their beautiful smile just to score in a hockey playground. Hence, if you must play hockey, then mouth protection is an absolute must. It is important that you get your hands on the best field hockey mouthguard (mouthpiece or gum shield) with the perfect fit to fully secure your teeth, mouth and beautiful smile.
In times past, mouthguards were uncomfortable, bulky, and there was no way you could speak with one in your mouth. But, technology happened and kept on happening. Now, mouthguards are comfortable and safer. You do not have to suffer through the bad taste of an athletic mouthguard anymore as, in addition to being lighter, today’s market offers topnotch hockey mouthguards that actually taste great.
However, amid so many mouthguards, choosing the best can be a difficult task, hence I have gone through several mouthguards on the market to come up with this review on the top best hockey mouthguards.
What to consider when choosing the best field hockey mouthguards
If you are on the hunt for the best field hockey mouthguard, then there are definitely some factors that you have to consider. For instance, I noticed that the best field hockey mouthguards are thick in such a way that they keep your top, and bottom teeth separated as you bite down. Also, the thicker material will provide extra shock absorption, which serves as great protection for your teeth and jaw.
However, while reviewing most of the regular hockey mouthguards on the market, I observed that they are quite thin, made with cheap materials, and cannot protect your mouth and teeth adequately.
This is why you need to seriously research and read reviews such to know the best hockey mouthguards which are made with top-grade materials that can offer maximum protection.
Here are some of the other factors to consider before purchasing a field hockey equipment.
Comfort
While protection is a key factor of a mouthguard, you should know that the best do not neglect comfort for protection, instead, they offer the best of both. The variation level differs. Some players prefer protection over comfort and vice versa. When purchasing a mouthguard, you have to consider this factor in your personal preference.
Mouthguard Style
From my research, I know that there are three different main styles of mouthguards. The first is the ready-made mouthguards which are ready to be applied straight from the box, and no alteration is needed to fit them. These are easy to put on and take off, but they are also less secure and bulkier.
The next type is the more popular mouth-adapted mouthguards which are designed to be adapted to fit by the users. This type is preferred by both amateurs and professionals as it is easily accessible, affordable, and provides a better fit. On the other hand, the custom-fit mouthguards are more expensive as they need to be mouth-moulded by a dentist.
Strapping
You might decide to purchase a strapped mouthguard or a strapless mouthguard, it all depends on your personal preference. If you misplace your equipment frequently, then a strapped mouthguard might be the best choice. I noticed that on teams where it is allowed, players who dislike opting for one of the strapless mouthguards.
Top 4 Field Hockey Mouthguards
Below I have reviewed some of the best field hockey mouth guards that are absolutely worth every penny you spend on them.
SISU Mouth Guards Aero Custom Fit Sports Mouthguard
I love the SISU Aero mouthpiece, and apparently I am not its only fan, as it is one of the best and most popular sports mouthguards on the market today.
You might ask, Why? Well, one of the many reasons for this is its ultra-light, super-slim design. Measured at a 1.6 mm width, this Aero is thinner than the regular mouthguard by 50%. I can boldly say that communicating and breathing are very easy in this mouthguard, and you can even drink water while on it.
Despite its thin width, it features a material that is highly absorbent as well as a Diffusix Technology which join forces to distribute the force of impact throughout the guard, thoroughly reducing injuries. If you are on braces, you can conveniently wear this mouthpiece though, it has to be moulded properly by your orthodontist.
This Aero design is convenient as it is made of a quick, removable and custom fit that makes it easy to forget that there is plastic within the market. It is ideal for players above the ages of 11.
Pros
- The Diffusix Technology maximizes protection by distributing the force of impact across a larger area and reducing dental injury risks
- It is ultra-thin
- Breathing, communicating and hydrating is made easy by the extra-thin material
- Its rounded edges and wide bite pads provide more comfort
Cons
- It is not an ideal fit for persons less than 11 years of age
- It is expensive
- Some hockey players prefer the thicker models
Sparkling White Smiles Professional Sports Mouth Guards
If you are after a budget-friendly option to protect your teeth that still offers great value, then I assure you that the Sparkling White Smiles professional mouthguard is definitely a noteworthy option. It belongs to the mouth-adapted style category, also known as boil and bite which I mentioned above. You can modify the fit to best suit you, and it also offers to chew resistance.
When you consider the price of this product, it is surprising that it features top quality materials that make breathing and talking possible, further improving the performance of the athlete. It utilizes material that is free of latex, BPA and colour additives.
Pros
- Its thick base of cushioning enhances shock absorption
- Sold with a carrying case (free)
- High-quality material that is free of Latex, colour additives and BPA
- It offers great value even at a very affordable price
- Allows breathing and talking
- Can be worn with braces
Cons
- It is only suitable for adults
Shock Doctor Mouthguard: #1 Sport Mouth Guard – Gel Max Mouthguard
This is definitely one of the top three most popular sports mouthguards in reviews. To start with, the Shock Doctor brand has been at the top of advancement and technology as pertains mouth protection, offering the best standards to meet the needs of athletes. From my research and testing, I can say that this Gel Max mouthguard is an ideal example of the quality the brand has to offer. It offers maximum protection and comfort which speak volumes of its top quality.
First, it is designed with an Exoskeletal-kind of shock frame, which offers excellent durability and protection. While you’re on the field, you can breathe easy as it has a triple-layered construction with a Gel-fit liner and breathing channels.
The Gel-fit liner makes it a custom fit and more comfortable. More interesting, this product comes with a tether, so you can either decide to use it strapless or attach it to your facemask. It comes in adult and youth sizes, ten different colours, and in flavoured options.
Pros
- It does not require boiling
- It is sold with a $10, 000 dental warranty which is a testament to its quality and durability
- Provides good breathing room
- It can be used strapless or strapped as a tether is included
- Comes in various colours, so you can choose one that matches your hockey wear
- Its flavoured options eliminate the problem of bad taste
Cons
- It is costly
- It doesn’t work with braces
- Some users also complained that they had troubles talking while on it
SISU Mouth Guards Junior 1.6 mm Custom Fit Sports Mouthguard for Kids
Is your kid into playing hockey sports? Then, you know that you have to prevent against serious mouth injury and maintain the precious smile of your kid by using the best mouthguard protection.
I know a child player who wears a hockey mouthpiece and, is fond of removing it, rubbing his small hands filled with layers of mud and sweat through it, and then re-inserting it. Yuck! I bet this was your first reaction. You can only imagine the number of germs that’ll go into his system this way.
Amazingly, you can prevent your child from doing this with the SISU Junior Custom Fit mouthpiece for kids. As it is extremely thin at 1.6 mm, children feel so comfortable in it that they don’t feel that pressing need to always take it out. This makes it a cleaner mouthguard for a healthier and better performing kid.
Pros
- It is a perfect fit for child players between the ages of 7 and 10
- It is backed by a one-year limited dental warranty
- Free of latex, BPA, phthalates and PVC
- Ultra-light
Cons
- It is on the pricier side
Final Words
The hockey mouthguards mentioned above are some of the top best picks on the market. When purchasing a mouthguard, ensure that you never compromise on the quality of materials as this guarantees that you have a safe hockey game.
You just cannot risk disabusing yourself of your beautiful teeth and risking serious injury by going for the cheap low-quality mouthguards on the market. Consider all the factors mentioned above as well as the brand image, material’s impact absorption and brace-friendliness (if you use braces) before making any decision.