Ice hockey is one of the most dangerous sports around due to the physical nature of the game along with common injury-causing elements such as flying elbows, high sticks, and wayward shots. And even though tooth enamel is known as the hardest substance in the human body, many hockey players lose a few of their pearly whites at some time during their career.
While losing teeth is quite common in hockey, NHL players don’t have to wear mouthguards even though many of them choose to do so. In the NHL Official Rules book, under section 3 “Equipment”, there is no mention of the mouthguard.
Visors are allowed in the league, but full-face shields aren’t unless it’s to protect an injury. This means the best way to protect your teeth on the rink is to wear a mouthguard.
However, mouthguards are mandatory in just about every children’s league and many amateur adult leagues across the world.
What is the Point of a Mouthguard in Hockey?
While a mouthguard’s job is to protect a player’s teeth it’s also designed to help prevent concussions, fractured jaws, cut lips, and to stop players from possibly biting their tongues when they’re hit. But even though a mouthguard provides plenty of protection, it’s still possible to lose or damage teeth while wearing one as most modern mouthguards cover the top row of teeth only. For better mouth protection in children’s hockey, players also wear full-face shields.
What are Mouthguards Made of?
Hockey mouthguards were an invention of Arthur Wood, a Canadian dentist, in the 1950s. Most of them are built with a rubber-type of polymer material known as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). NHL teams provide their players with custom mouthguards which are specifically molded to the shape of the individual’s teeth.
Take a look at Cole Sillinger of the Columbus Blue Jackets wearing a mouthguard in the NHL:
First NHL goal mouthguard appreciation post https://t.co/HtQoXFJsae pic.twitter.com/JeE8pPjbai
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 22, 2021
Are there Different Types of Mouthguards?
There are several types of mouthguards available and you may also find them in different colors You’ll probably notice that NHL players often wear colored mouthguards since they’re easy to locate on the ice if they should happen to fall out. An effective mouthguard should be at least three millimeters thick as this will help cushion, absorb and properly distribute the impact if you’re hit in the mouth.
Below is a list of the most common types of mouthguards:
Custom Fit
This is the most popular and effective style of mouthguard as it’s molded to the shape of your teeth by a dentist or other type of oral professional. This results in the mouthguard fitting properly and comfortably, making it harder to fall out. In addition, a custom mouthguard makes it easier to speak and breathe while wearing it. A custom-designed mouthguard can also be adapted for orthodontic appliances and braces.
One Size Mouthguard
A one-size-fits-all mouthguard is exactly as it sounds, which means it is available in one particular size. You simply but the item and place it in your mouth and bite down on it to keep it in place. These are typically inexpensive, harder to keep in place, and don’t offer the greatest amount of protection.
Boil and Bite Mouthguard
This type of mouthguard is sort of a combination of a molded and once-size piece. It’s usually made of a thermoplastic material that softens when boiled in water. Once it’s been boiled you place it in your mouth and bite down on it so it molds to the shape of your teeth. When it hardens it should keep the shape and fit better than a one-size-fits-all model.
Should I Clean my Mouthguard?
Yes, it’s important to keep your mouthguard clean as it could possibly gather and produce harmful bacteria which in turn could result in an infection. It’s a good idea to keep the piece of equipment in a protective case that has adequate airflow.
You can clean a mouthguard after each use with toothpaste or mouthwash as well as soap and water, mouthguard cleaners and/or a hydrogen peroxide cleaner. When a mouthguard begins to lose its shape, become uncomfortable or wear out, it should be replaced. Be aware that extreme heat could cause a mouthguard to lose its shape.
Why Do Some NHL Players Not Wear Mouthguards?
Tradition and toughness are the name of the game in the NHL and losing your teeth has always been a part of it. Also, some players have difficulty breathing, speaking drinking, and spitting with a mouthguard in place and simply feel they’re uncomfortable and not worth the annoyance. It is not mandatory to wear one so some choose not to, it is their own personal choice.
Will the Mouthguard Ever Become Mandatory in the NHL?
While visors are mandatory for most NHL players they cover only the upper portion of the face and this leaves the mouth area generally unprotected. The result of this is often the loss of teeth and this means players may have to undergo expensive dental surgery or have dentures or teeth implants made for them.
This is a long and sometimes painful process and most players don’t really want to go through it. However, it’s debatable if the NHL will soon enforce players to wear mouthguards unless the NHL Players’ Association agrees when the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is ironed out.
Ian is an experienced ice hockey writer with a passion for the game. He has been covering hockey for over 25 years and has contributed to various publications. He covers all aspects of the sport, from NHL rules to in-depth analysis of the game as well as previews. Ian is also an avid fan who attends numerous games and has played hockey regularly since moving to Canada at the age of 10.
