Best Youth Hockey Mouthguards
The Best Youth Mouthguards For Hockey in 2023
When it comes to choosing the best youth mouthguard for a young athlete, it's important to know that the best for one child might not be a good choice for another.
Like with all protection equipment, there are differences in so many areas ranging from skill level to playing style, budget, and more, that there’s never a single cookie-cutter answer to the question as to what the “best” product is.
In fact, getting the right mouthguard is one of the most important aspects when it comes to hockey equipment. If a child has gloves that aren't the best match for them, they might be a little uncomfortable and get annoyed. However, if the child is wearing a mouth guard that doesn't fit properly, they'll probably be more than uncomfortable, and they’ll have a hard time breathing and speaking, and will most likely refuse to wear it. It's hard for a young athlete to have fun if they're uncomfortable and struggling to breathe and speak the whole time they're playing. Not to mention the risk of serious dental injury involved when they refuse to wear their mouth guard.
Young athletes don't always think if the possible consequences involved when playing without the recommended protection equipment. If your athlete plans on playing multiple times a week, getting the proper mouth guard is important not just for protection, but also because if they're playing with an uncomfortable mouth guard, it can make playing hockey so unpleasant that they might not want to play anymore.
We believe every young hockey player should at least have the chance to decide if they like the sport on its own merits, and not be turned off due to discomfort and having the wrong equipment.
With that being said, we want to discuss our top 3 youth mouth guards designed for hockey. Again, not one mouthguard model will be perfect for all athletes, but among the list based on our product research, there will be at least one great option for every player.
1st Choice: Nxtrnd RUSH
2nd Choice: Nxtrnd Classic
3rd Choice: Nxtrnd ZERO
What are the different types of mouthguards available?
Before we get into the specific models, there are some things we want to mention that will help you understand the mouthguards.
As you may already now, Nxtrnd has three different styles of mouthguards: Rush, Classic and Zero. Fortunately, these mouth guards come in multiple colors, material thicknesses and price points.
You may wonder why this list only includes mouthguards from Nxtrnd. Nxtrnd is a brand that specializes in mouth guard design and manufacturing, but there are other respected brands. However, based on feedback from athletes, these brands don't make well-fitting youth mouth guards like Nxtrnd does, which is why we believe we are the best choice when it comes to professionally designed youth mouth guards.
Youth Hockey Mouthguard: #1 Best Choice
[RUSH]
The Rush mouthguard is an excellent choice for the more advanced player that can benefit from the added material thickness and dual layer design of the guard. The guards include added material in the most important impact zones of the mouth, which allows better energy absorption and protection. The Rush also features Nxtrnd's signature material blend on the interior layer allowing for a tight customized fit and hard shock absorbing outer layer for maximum force absorption.
Unlike many other mouth guards, the Rush is made of thermoplastic EVA, which can really form a tight fit around the teeth. The customized fit not only make the mouthguard extremely comfortable, it also helps with the ability to breath and speak when on the ice, as the guard won't wiggle or move around in the mouth while playing.
This mouthguard has a dual layer design featuring a soft and moldable inner liner made of a unique EVA blend and a more robust shock absorbing outer liner made of rubber. The rush utilizes our "snap-in" fit technology, which helps lock the mouthguard in place around the teeth. Because of its material, the flexibility and mold ability of the guard enables it to fit a wide range of mouth sizes. With that in mind, the Rush is a good fit for players with small to average size mouths, but probably won't be comfortable for players with wide/large mouths.
Pros: Allow speech and breathing. Excellent impact protection. No movement while playing.
Cons: More material might feel more bulky in the mouth.
Youth Hockey Mouthguard: #2 Best Choice
[CLASSIC]
When we created the Nxtrnd Classic Mouthguard, we limited the amount of colors it would be available in and is currently only available in a clear colorway. Don't let that fool you though, because the classic's material and design is a very good product for the money.
The Classic has a single layer frame that provides excellent mold ability and protection. Being made of 1 layer, the guard doesn't offer as much protection as thicker models, but is a perfect choice for beginner and intermediate skaters that don't really play as rough and fast as the pros.
This mouth guard is made of our signature TP-EVA material that tightly molds to the athletes teeth providing a slim and customized fit. The classic material features a smooth polished finish for optimal wearer comfort and efficiency. The guard is not as high-end as the Rush, but does have design attributes that make it a very solid choice. With that in mind, the Classic is a good fit for players with average size mouths, but probably won't be comfortable for players with very small mouths.
Pros: Excellent breathability and speech. Lightweight design. Very durable.
Cons: May not fit small mouths
Youth Hockey Mouthguard: #3 Best Choice
[ZERO]
The Zero Mouthguard is a high-end mouth guard that offers a different fit and feel than other mouth guards on the market. The design of the Zero mouth guard and the materials it is made from are extremely important. Having added material in areas that don't require protection is what makes many mouth guards uncomfortable and bulky. By adding material in high impact areas only, the ZERO is thinner, more comfortable and more protective.
The Zero is a super thin, 1.6 mm guard that's so small, you’ll honestly forget you’re even wearing it. Unlike competing brands that sell "flat" mouth guards that ripple, causing pressure points and discomfort when molded, the Zero™ mouth guard comes pre-shaped to the form of upper teeth eliminating the possibility of material ripples and painful pressure points found on other guards.
The Nxtrnd Zero utilizes our signature EVA material blend that's 5 times tougher and 40% stronger than conventional mouthguards. By combining our impact absorbent material with highly effective perforated design features, the guard successfully deflects all impact forces away from your teeth. When properly fitted, these energy-absorbing zones direct forces away from your teeth, reducing the risk of dental injury. That being said, the Zero is a good fit for players with average to large size mouths that aim to play professionally.
Pros: Excellent impact absorption. Ultra-slim fitting. Feels like not wearing a mouthguard.
Cons: May be difficult to properly fit.
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