Do a quick google search of hockey and teeth and you’ll find frightening images that make this dentist/hockey mom’s heart skip a beat!    You’ll find countless images of players flashing a toothless grin.    Fortunately, USA hockey mandates all players through high school, are required to wear a colored (non-clear) internal mouthpiece that covers all the teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper.  This small piece of protective equipment can help prevent serious and costly dental injuries.

Mouthguards are designed to help protect not just the teeth but the lips, cheeks and tongue.    Research shows that most oral injuries occur when athletes are not wearing mouth protection.

Mouthguards can be classified in 3 types: stock mouthguards, mouth-formed/boil and bite and custom-fabricated.

• Stock mouthguards can be purchased over the counter and are held in place by clenching the teeth together. These are considered less protective as they can interfere with speech and breathing.
• Mouth-formed or boil and bite mouthguards are adapted to the mouth by finger, tongue and biting pressure after submersing in hot water. They can vary in protective benefit based on how well they are adapted to the mouth and how comfortable they are for the player to wear.
• Custom-fabricated mouthguards are made on a dental model of the players mouth. They offer the greatest protection, comfort and retention.

Remember that the mouthguard only works when it is in your child’s mouth.

Thanks Youth USA Hockey for keeping young players safe and protecting their smiles.