under armor mouthguard

[kitay4 0]

so i picked up my UA guard today...will use it tomorrow and sunday...but right off the bat...it seems a little thicker then my old custom guard..but fits way better....

i paid like 200 for it out the door, for all that wanted to know.....

[jsmart 0]

so i picked up my UA guard today...will use it tomorrow and sunday...but right off the bat...it seems a little thicker then my old custom guard..but fits way better....

i paid like 200 for it out the door, for all that wanted to know.....

Use it and enjoy it...let us know if it allows you to score more goals! :P

[furlanitalia 1]

Yah, let us know if breathing is easier. Either way I think your game will improve because mentally you're going to feel like it's making a difference. I'm not saying it's all smoke and mirrors (it may actually provide benefits) but I'm sure you'll feel better on the ice.

[vectoranalysisgo 3]

So, I know I'm committing a double faux pas here by topping a mostly spent thread and being a rare contributor, more of a lurker on top of that.. but today at the dentist I got the hard sell on these UA mouthguards and as I was fending him off I was reminded that I did want to research mouthguards a little more, since mine needs to be replaced..

I'm topping this thread because I'm curious if any of the people who paid an arm and a leg for the fancy custom-fit guards from the dentist are happy with the purchase now that we're several months out..? That is, was it worth it? I don't care if you skate faster or have a bigger dick for it now, mostly just.. can you breath better?

I'm especially curious if anyone with TMJ issues (I have TMJ problems.. popping/clicking when I open my mouth, get occasional headaches, etc) have mouthguard advice or input. I have learned over the years not to close my mouth completely, instead resting my upper jaw on my tongue, jutting the lower jaw forward a little.. and this helps avoid TMJ pain and clenching. This is what the mouthguards are claiming to do too, of course..

When I'm playing, I have been using the same mouthguard (the ShockDoctor guard that fits on the lower teeth) for four years and I've liked it, but I still get joint pain after games from time to time that I think might be alleviated if I paid extra for a custom fit mouthguard.. the boil and fit just doesn't seem to cut it because my jaw fits together weird. But I'm not convinced I'd get anything better from a mail-order or dentist-fit guard. I wear a cage because I play in a women league that requires it and because in co-ed games I'd like to avoid smashing my lovely face.. so the mouthguard's purpose isn't so much for teeth protection as much as finding a way to position my jaw to allievate the pressure on my TMJ.

Anyone else get TMJ clicking/popping/pain..? And.. what mouthguard do you like?

[txhockey 0]

I am a clencher, and I wear one of those free bleaching trays I got at the dentist that was custom molded to my mouth (free with a checkup or something), anyway, it lets me clench without grinding the hell out of my teeth. Very very thing and does not obstruct my breathing or speaking like a full size mouthguard does. does not offer much protection if any, but I wear a cage and don't play full contact.

[jsmart 0]

I'm especially curious if anyone with TMJ issues (I have TMJ problems.. popping/clicking when I open my mouth, get occasional headaches, etc) have mouthguard advice or input. I have learned over the years not to close my mouth completely, instead resting my upper jaw on my tongue, jutting the lower jaw forward a little.. and this helps avoid TMJ pain and clenching. This is what the mouthguards are claiming to do too, of course.

Anyone else get TMJ clicking/popping/pain..? And.. what mouthguard do you like?

I'm going to ignore some of your post (please don't take it the wrong way) and just say that in most cases you will breath better if you have a custom fitted sports guard and more importantly you reduce the risk of injury regardless of your choice of facial protection (or lack of).

I have a two questions before I give you my opinion (your answers won't really change my suggestion):

• Do you only have these symptoms while playing hockey?
  
• What level of hockey do you play (do you desire to play)?
  

The symptoms you describe (popping, pain, headaches) are signs of TMD that can only be alleviated by seeing a specialist (I would recommend seeing a "good" Orthodontist or Prosthodontist) and have them diagnose the issue and set-up the proper treatment(s) for you specific condition(s). A sports guard alone will not help; you have a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. If ANYONE you see recommends surgery without prior attempts to fix the condition...RUN!

I am a clencher, and I wear one of those free bleaching trays I got at the dentist that was custom molded to my mouth (free with a checkup or something), anyway, it lets me clench without grinding the hell out of my teeth. Very very thing and does not obstruct my breathing or speaking like a full size mouthguard does. does not offer much protection if any, but I wear a cage and don't play full contact.

And whatever you do don't go see tx's dentist...bleaching tray for hockey...really??? Full contact or not the ice/boards are not soft if you happen to contact them.

Sometimes I wonder how some of these people got through dental school...

[txhockey 0]

I'm going to ignore some of your post (please don't take it the wrong way) and just say that in most cases you will breath better if you have a custom fitted sports guard and more importantly you reduce the risk of injury regardless of your choice of facial protection (or lack of).

I have a two questions before I give you my opinion (your answers won't really change my suggestion):

• Do you only have these symptoms while playing hockey?
  
• What level of hockey do you play (do you desire to play)?
  

The symptoms you describe (popping, pain, headaches) are signs of TMD that can only be alleviated by seeing a specialist (I would recommend seeing a "good" Orthodontist or Prosthodontist) and have them diagnose the issue and set-up the proper treatment(s) for you specific condition(s). A sports guard alone will not help; you have a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. If ANYONE you see recommends surgery without prior attempts to fix the condition...RUN!

And whatever you do don't go see tx's dentist...bleaching tray for hockey...really??? Full contact or not the ice/boards are not soft if you happen to contact them.

Sometimes I wonder how some of these people got through dental school...

You read my post wrong, or else I miscommunicated, probably the latter. My dentist a few years back gave me free teeth bleaching trays. I never used them for teeth bleaching, but I instead use one of them instead of a mouthguard when I play hockey, not for mouth/concussion protection, but because I don't like clenching my teeth together when I play, which I tend to do. Otherwise I would not wear a mouth guard at all because they obstruct my air flow too much(non custom ones at least). I play adult league rec hockey with a cage on, and have never found the need for a mouth guard.

[Barts66 0]

Was just at the Blackhawks convention and during an interview session, someone asked a question about these mouthguards. The person that answered the question (strength coach or something like that) said that " Eight players tried the mouthguard and now only two use it, being Sharp and Toews."

Hope this helps

[rykwon 0]

Just to put in my $0.02 as another dentist on board. I cannot refute anything jsmart has said. Custom mouthguard is the only way to go, if you're going to get a mouthguard. I have tried both PPM mouthguard and the 'regular' custom mouthguard. I hated both. The issue was airway/breathing limitations. It was better with PPM. When I did have it on, performance on the ice was vastly different. PPM was it. I'm going to try the UA mouthguard in the coming months and see if the airflow is better with UA. However, if you see any NHL games, I do see quite a few players wearing the UA mouthguard. But the PPM does have some great merits, examples: New Orleans Saints team wore them last year, Bode Miller and Anton Ono both wore the PPM mouthguards. Just wish it wasn't so cost prohibitive. I'm hoping UA does something similar.

[dayroc 0]

holy $500.

I bought two from these guys http://smartguards.ca/

Total Cost $130cad shipped.

Apparently Mats Sundin and a few other leafs wore these guy's guards.

As well, i would only wear custom a custom mouth guard while playing ice hockey.

[vectoranalysisgo 3]

I have a two questions before I give you my opinion (your answers won't really change my suggestion):

• Do you only have these symptoms while playing hockey?
  
• What level of hockey do you play (do you desire to play)?
  

To answer your questions, not that they change anything:

No, I get clicking/popping and occasional headaches, not just during hockey; I'm aware of TMD and my dentist and oral surgeon both tell me I have a pretty minor case and generally I'm fine if I avoid chewing gum or other sticky things and avoid clenching, which I've done by retraining myself not to shut my jaw very tight, as I mentioned above. Mainly, it comes into play with hockey because, when I wear my mouthguard, it repositions my jaw just enough that if I play for a long enough time, I get aches/pains in my jaw, while if I play without a mouthguard all together, I wind up clenching and get far worseTMJ headaches. So I prefer the former; I wear it and generally don't have problems unless I am skating for more than 90 minutes or so, at which point I have to take off my helmet and give my jaw some rest/stretching. I'd rather deal with that and know my jaw is at least aligned correctly, than the alternative of not wearing it at all. But I am hoping a mouthguard that fits better than the boil and bite variety might help even more.

As for the level I want to play, well, as high as I can, but I'm 29 and I just started playing three or four years ago, so these days I am skating in D level beer leagues and a women's adult rec league. I'd pay for higher performance if it was really there to be had, I just doubt whether $500 for a UA branded mouthguard does anything more than the $200-$300 mail order kind? There were some good points made earlier in this thread about it, so I was hoping someone who had used both by this point would chime in and give an honest assessment of any difference in quality.

And whatever you do don't go see tx's dentist...bleaching tray for hockey...really??? Full contact or not the ice/boards are not soft if you happen to contact them.

Sometimes I wonder how some of these people got through dental school...

Haha, no kidding.. I was thinking the same thing when I read that. But you know the joke..

Q: What do you call the guy who graduates with the worst grades of his class in medical school?

A: Doctor

Just to put in my $0.02 as another dentist on board. I cannot refute anything jsmart has said. Custom mouthguard is the only way to go, if you're going to get a mouthguard. I have tried both PPM mouthguard and the 'regular' custom mouthguard. I hated both. The issue was airway/breathing limitations. It was better with PPM. When I did have it on, performance on the ice was vastly different. PPM was it. I'm going to try the UA mouthguard in the coming months and see if the airflow is better with UA. However, if you see any NHL games, I do see quite a few players wearing the UA mouthguard. But the PPM does have some great merits, examples: New Orleans Saints team wore them last year, Bode Miller and Anton Ono both wore the PPM mouthguards. Just wish it wasn't so cost prohibitive. I'm hoping UA does something similar.

So you are saying you hated both the regular and PPM mouthguards, because you couldn't breathe well, but you're going to try the UA even though it's ostensibly pretty similar? Have you tried the type of guards that sit on the bottom teeth? That's what I like so much about my shitty old ShockDoctor boil and bite guard from Dick's.. I just want that same thing but made with a more custom fit and a little longer-lasting..

Thanks for the input guys.

[jsmart 0]

You really need to work with someone (sounds like either your dentist or oral surgeon will do, although you can't go wrong with a specialist) that can get you in centric and then take a good impression that can be sent to a lab that can make a custom fit sports guard. You don't need a $500 sport guard (although your visits and sport guard could cost that total due to the some extra steps needed to get you into centric), it will not do any more than a $100 sport guard that is fitted properly to your mouth. There is a great chance you will notice a positive change to the conditions you describe above. Boil and bite does not cut it for people without TMD or other conditions much less someone that already has a bite issue.

Don't be fooled by the UA marketing hype, just get to someone that can get you in a comfortable position with your bite, get an impression and try a custom fit sport gaurd. If you decide you really like it pay the extra for a UA (or PPM -- and please not the one that offers no protection to your front teeth). Good luck!

[Tikkanen 1]

I play on a team with a dentist-he doesn't wear a mouthguard. I'm old school. I chew gum when I play hockey. Gets me to breathe more, open my mouth, I'm fighting cavities and I have fresh breath. When is somebody going to post pictures of mouthpieces with bloody teeth in them?

[BlackIce 1]

Jsmart, thanks for the info. Great thread. Don't mean to hijack it but most guys in a no checking beer league wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth. However, look at Duncan Keith, he was wearing a mouth guard and he lost 7 teeth!

Keith was wearing a mouth guard

[jsmart 0]

Jsmart, thanks for the info. Great thread. Don't mean to hijack it but most guys in a no checking beer league wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth. However, look at Duncan Keith, he was wearing a mouth guard and he lost 7 teeth!

Keith was wearing a mouth guard

And think what kind of damage could have been done had he not been wearing one. There may not have been enough Novocain in Chicago to get him back on the ice. A sports guard is not going to stop a puck traveling at that speed, but at least he only lost teeth with no other major damage to his mouth.

I play on a team with a dentist-he doesn't wear a mouthguard. I'm old school. I chew gum when I play hockey. Gets me to breathe more, open my mouth, I'm fighting cavities and I have fresh breath. When is somebody going to post pictures of mouthpieces with bloody teeth in them?

You can use that gum to hold your denture (dentures are old school) in when you get your teeth knocked out, if your lucky your teeth will stick to the gum when they fly out so you can keep them as a souvenir. Maybe the dentist that doesn't wear one either can do your dental work (cause he sure wouldn't touch my mouth)

[Tikkanen 1]

And think what kind of damage could have been done had he not been wearing one. There may not have been enough Novocain in Chicago to get him back on the ice. A sports guard is not going to stop a puck traveling at that speed, but at least he only lost teeth with no other major damage to his mouth.

You can use that gum to hold your denture (dentures are old school) in when you get your teeth knocked out, if your lucky your teeth will stick to the gum when they fly out so you can keep them as a souvenir. Maybe the dentist that doesn't wear one either can do your dental work (cause he sure wouldn't touch my mouth)

I'm hoping for a steep discount. If these mouthguard companies want to start making serious money launch a product where it is near impossible to lose teeth and breathe good every player will buy one-or they can buy a cage for $30. I've been playing for 16 years and I rarely see players wear mouthguards, the technology seems to be lacking up until recently and the price for high performance guards are so far out of the average hockey players price range I doubt they pick up steam. If you're afraid of losing teeth you wear a cage, bottom line. Even then you are exposed to injury, just the nature of the sport or sports in general and I accept that risk. To charge $300 to prevent teeth grinding while playing recreational sports is ludicrous.

[Ao8 0]

I'm hoping for a steep discount. If these mouthguard companies want to start making serious money launch a product where it is near impossible to lose teeth and breathe good every player will buy one-or they can buy a cage for $30. I've been playing for 16 years and I rarely see players wear mouthguards, the technology seems to be lacking up until recently and the price for high performance guards are so far out of the average hockey players price range I doubt they pick up steam. If you're afraid of losing teeth you wear a cage, bottom line. Even then you are exposed to injury, just the nature of the sport or sports in general and I accept that risk. To charge $300 to prevent teeth grinding while playing recreational sports is ludicrous.

Guys, if you want a custom guard it will cost you but I do agree the UnderArmor custom is very pricey. I have a custom mouthguard from when I was doing muay thai and bjj, but is overkill over beer league and I wear a cage.If you want a custom heavy duty mouth guard, check out some of the mma sites for custom mouth guard companies (dont want to look like i am sponsoring companies or step on the mods toes) but there are some great custom companies out there. And for you canadian folks, there are some great comes up there as well.

[dayroc 0]

Guys, if you want a custom guard it will cost you but I do agree the UnderArmor custom is very pricey. I have a custom mouthguard from when I was doing muay thai and bjj, but is overkill over beer league and I wear a cage.If you want a custom heavy duty mouth guard, check out some of the mma sites for custom mouth guard companies (dont want to look like i am sponsoring companies or step on the mods toes) but there are some great custom companies out there. And for you canadian folks, there are some great comes up there as well.

What A08 said, my two mouthguards are for MMA. I use them for both ice hockey and Muay thai - sparring.

The breathing part takes a bit of a learning curve, after a few games i dont even notice it and can speak and breath the same.

[jcp2 2]

Is that why I see a lot of folks wearing the Tapout mouthguards?

[Chadd 916]

Is that why I see a lot of folks wearing the Tapout mouthguards?

They were at the hockey trade show in Vegas. Wasn't impressed with the product at all.

[jcp2 2]

They were at the hockey trade show in Vegas. Wasn't impressed with the product at all.

But they come in packs of two! One with white and color choice and the other with black and color choice! Home and away mouthguards.

[jcp2 2]

They were at the hockey trade show in Vegas. Wasn't impressed with the product at all.

But they come in packs of two! One with white and color choice and the other with black and color choice! Home and away mouthguards.

[tro 4]

Going through the thread and there isn't one first hand review of the UA guard. Anyone actually use one?

My dentist says if I get the UA, my insurer will cover it, but they don't cover they regular custom(he didn't really have an answer as to why) so I can pay $80 for a regular custom or $130 approx for the UA.

My main concern has always been breathing and talking, which have been fails with every store guard. If by chance it provides performance increase, all the better, but I am very sceptical

Thanks

[danno25nh 3]

Going through the thread and there isn't one first hand review of the UA guard. Anyone actually use one?

My dentist says if I get the UA, my insurer will cover it, but they don't cover they regular custom(he didn't really have an answer as to why) so I can pay $80 for a regular custom or $130 approx for the UA.

My main concern has always been breathing and talking, which have been fails with every store guard. If by chance it provides performance increase, all the better, but I am very sceptical

Thanks

I box in addition to playing hockey. I've tried the UA and found it better than boil bite. I still couldn't talk or breathe well. After trying 15 or more mouth pieces I found this.

Protech

As a biomedical engineer the science makes sense. As an athlete I'll say this is hands down the most comfortable I've ever worn. I keep 2 with my boxing gear and 2 with my hockey gear.

The biggest complaint is it fits so well it's hard to get out. You can't pop it loose with your tongue. Will it save your teeth with a puck to the mouth? Probably not. I doubt any mouthpiece would.

Breathing and talking is absolutely no problem.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Going through the thread and there isn't one first hand review of the UA guard. Anyone actually use one?

My dentist says if I get the UA, my insurer will cover it, but they don't cover they regular custom(he didn't really have an answer as to why) so I can pay $80 for a regular custom or $130 approx for the UA.

My main concern has always been breathing and talking, which have been fails with every store guard. If by chance it provides performance increase, all the better, but I am very sceptical

Thanks

Have you tried a shock doctor gravity 2?