6 Best Mouthguards For Youth Hockey Players Dentists Recommend

You’re standing in the sporting goods store, staring at a wall of hockey gear that seems to grow every season. Skates, sticks, pads… the list is long and the price tag is climbing. But one small, crucial piece of equipment often gets overlooked until the last minute: the mouthguard.

Why a Dentist-Approved Mouthguard is Essential

The first time you see your child take a hard fall or catch a stray stick near their face, your heart stops. That moment is a stark reminder that a mouthguard isn’t just about preventing a chipped tooth. It’s a critical piece of safety gear designed to absorb and distribute the force of an impact, helping to protect against jaw fractures, tongue and lip lacerations, and even reducing the severity of concussions.

Think of it this way: a generic, ill-fitting mouthguard is little more than a piece of plastic. A well-designed, dentist-recommended guard, however, creates a precise mold that cushions teeth and stabilizes the jaw. It’s the difference between simply checking a box on the league’s equipment list and providing genuine, research-backed protection for your player.

The level of protection should grow with your child. For a 7-year-old in a learn-to-play program, the primary goal is building the habit of wearing a guard comfortably. But for a 14-year-old playing in a checking league, the speed and physicality demand a much higher level of impact absorption. Your choice should always match the on-ice reality.

Shock Doctor Gel Max: A Classic Boil-and-Bite

You need a solid, reliable mouthguard for your player who is either just starting out or hitting a major growth spurt. You don’t want to break the bank on something they might lose in the locker room or outgrow in six months. This is where a trusted boil-and-bite model becomes the go-to for countless hockey families.

The Shock Doctor Gel Max is a classic for a reason. Its design features a soft inner gel liner that molds snugly to the teeth after being boiled, creating a much more secure and comfortable fit than the most basic, single-layer guards. The rigid outer shell provides the necessary shock absorption for the bumps and tumbles common in youth hockey.

This is an ideal choice for the beginner to intermediate player, typically in the 8-11 age range. It delivers dependable protection for house league and non-checking travel hockey without a significant financial commitment. It’s a smart, practical solution that balances safety and the reality of a growing child.

SISU Aero Guard: For Comfort and Communication

Does this sound familiar? "I can’t talk with this thing in my mouth!" Or the classic move of chewing the mouthguard on the bench because it feels too bulky. For many kids, the sensory experience of a traditional guard is a major distraction that can lead to them not wearing it properly.

The SISU Aero Guard addresses this head-on. It is engineered from a non-compressible, perforated material that is significantly thinner than conventional mouthguards. This minimalist design allows players to talk, breathe, and drink with ease, which means they are far more likely to keep it in their mouth where it belongs. Despite its slim profile, the material is designed to distribute impact forces over a larger area.

This guard is a fantastic option for the player who is easily bothered by bulky equipment or who needs to communicate clearly on the ice. It’s a significant step up in comfort from a basic model and is particularly well-suited for skaters transitioning into more competitive play where on-ice chatter becomes more important.

Shock Doctor Braces: Protection Over Orthodontics

Your family has just made a significant investment in orthodontics. The last thing you want is an on-ice incident to damage that expensive hardware or, worse, cause a painful injury to your child’s lips and cheeks. When braces are involved, a standard mouthguard is not only ineffective but potentially dangerous.

Mouthguards specifically designed for braces are a non-negotiable. The Shock Doctor Braces guard is constructed from 100% medical-grade silicone that is flexible enough to fit around brackets and wires without any boiling or custom fitting. It creates a protective barrier that prevents lacerations and shields the orthodontic appliances from impact.

This is not an optional upgrade; it is an essential piece of safety equipment. It adapts as teeth shift throughout the orthodontic treatment, providing continuous protection. If your child has braces, you must use a braces-specific mouthguard to safeguard both their smile and your investment.

Gladiator Pro: Custom-Fit for Elite Protection

Your player is now fully committed, playing on a competitive travel team where the game is faster and more physical. They’ve outgrown the "one-size-fits-all" approach, and their safety gear needs to reflect their level of play. This is the point where a custom-fit mouthguard becomes a very wise investment.

The Gladiator Pro offers a lab-quality, custom-fit guard without the high cost of multiple dental visits. The process is simple: you receive an at-home impression kit, make a mold of your child’s teeth, and mail it to their dental lab. The result is a mouthguard that is perfectly molded to every contour of your child’s mouth, providing a superior level of comfort, security, and protection.

This option is best suited for the serious, older athlete (typically 13+) whose jaw and teeth have become more stable. The perfect fit ensures the guard stays locked in place during the toughest plays, allowing for maximum oxygen flow and minimal distraction. It’s the right choice when you need elite protection for high-stakes competition.

OPRO Power-Fit: A Secure and Remoldable Guard

You’ve followed the boil-and-bite instructions perfectly, but the fit just isn’t right. The guard is loose, and your child is constantly fiddling with it or taking it out between shifts. A mouthguard only works if it stays securely on the teeth, and a poor fit undermines its entire purpose.

The OPRO Power-Fit bridges the gap between standard boil-and-bite models and expensive custom guards. It utilizes a unique fitting cage that locks onto the guard during the molding process. When your child bites down, the cage applies even pressure for a highly accurate and retentive impression, mimicking a dentist-made fit.

One of its best features for parents is that it’s often remoldable. This is a huge advantage for kids in that 10-13 age range, where teeth might still be shifting or if the first molding attempt wasn’t quite perfect. It offers a more secure, comfortable fit that encourages compliance, making it a great investment for the developing player.

Under Armour ArmourFit: A Low-Profile Option

Some kids are just more sensitive. A bulky mouthguard can trigger a gag reflex or simply feel overwhelming, leading to a constant battle to get them to wear it. In these cases, finding a comfortable, low-profile option is the key to ensuring they stay protected.

The Under Armour ArmourFit is designed to be streamlined and less intrusive than many of its competitors. While still a boil-and-bite model, it molds into a thinner, lighter guard that doesn’t feel as massive in the mouth. This design makes it easier for kids to breathe and speak clearly without sacrificing certified dental protection.

This is a fantastic problem-solver for the player who resists wearing a mouthguard because of sensory issues. It provides reliable protection in a more comfortable package, which dramatically increases the chances of it being worn correctly throughout every practice and game. After all, the most expensive mouthguard in the world does no good sitting in a hockey bag.

When to Replace Your Child’s Hockey Mouthguard

It’s easy to look at a mouthguard at the end of the season and think, "It still looks fine, we can get another year out of it." But like a helmet, a mouthguard is a piece of safety equipment with a limited lifespan. Its ability to absorb impact degrades with use and time.

As a rule, you should replace your child’s mouthguard at the start of every single hockey season. Throughout the year, give it a quick inspection every few weeks. If you see any tears, thinning, or signs that your child has chewed through a spot, replace it immediately. A compromised guard offers compromised protection.

Furthermore, any significant dental changes—like losing several baby teeth, the arrival of permanent molars, or the start of orthodontic work—mean the old guard no longer fits properly. A new mouthguard is a small, annual investment. It’s a tiny fraction of the cost of league fees or a new stick, but it provides priceless protection against a traumatic and expensive dental emergency.

Ultimately, the best mouthguard is the one your child will wear correctly and consistently. By matching the fit and features to their age, orthodontic needs, and level of play, you’re not just buying equipment. You’re making a smart, simple investment in their long-term health and safety on the ice.