Recently i was contacted by a director from Signature Mouthguards, and asked if i would review their top Tier Mouthguard, the Type 4. To do a video and written review as follows.
Signature Mouthguards is a company based out of Australia. You may not know this, but they’re the first and only recognized company to have created and credited with making the first ever Mouth Guard to protect people’s mouths, Since 1984 we have been blessed to have the original company, innovate and renovate the true process of protection.
In case you have not heard of this company, but you play hockey or other sports and buy RBK, or CCM and have seen “Smarthmouth” labels on those? Guess who makes the mouth guards for those two under that label name? You guessed it! But the real deal here is the main Signature Mouthguards Label. With their top flight protection model labeled Type 4. This is the Mouthguard before the extra gels added to them.Fit – How do you grade the fit of a Mouth guard when it offers two fits to make it the most comfortable, protective fit ever?
Signature Mouthguards offer the most customizable and protective fit, I have ever seen in any mouth guard without getting into the dentist custom price. I have used different brands and not a single one fits the right way. Anyone can shove hard gelatin inside of a shell made to fit over anyone’s teeth. It takes real genius to actually make a Shell, make the shell with a little bit of gelatin to customize. BUT, any mouth guard at that level will still fall out, they’re not protective if you see the players easily remove them and the “Horseshoe” just hangs out of everyone’s mouths? How is it supposed to protect? It doesn’t.
One thing that really stuck out to me is you have to fit the MG shell. Depending on the fit you like of a MG shell, you trim it to the right fit. By the way, so you’re aware the MG comes with lines etched out for you to cut the Height and the length going to the back of your mouth. So Grab some good scissors and trim to your needs. Once we finish cutting to fit, boil the mouth guard. Then you’re going to fit it to form to your teeth and molars, you know, the normal way to suck and push the mouth guard to fit.
Then comes the SUPER DUPER cool part, I know that sounds off but it really is, that that cool! The Mouth guard comes with two Gels, (latex free for those of you and I who are allergic to latex since many mouth guards are made with Latex) that you mix together, once mixed you’ll see them change color when mixed. Pour the Gelatin into the mouth guard and make sure it’s all in it. Next you shove that MG back in your mouth and you let it mold to your teeth. Creating the ULTIMATE Customized fit from any mouth guard.
Due to the fit of this mouth guard it has to be one of the best I have ever used out of all the kinds I have tried.
Score: Fit Score 9.5/10
Ventilation/Breathability – There’s quite a few products out there that always preach how easy they make it to wear the Mouth guards, and how well you can breathe with them in. 5 out of 7 I have used makes me feel like I’m choking. Seriously I feel like I have a fat tongue and oversized upper mouth and can’t breathe. Granted I have the nose but sometimes you need that bigger hole in the face right? Especially after those long hauling plays that you really need to just suck the oxygen when you hit the bench right? My only Gripe about the mouth guard is the air bubbles up at the top of my mouth but that’s a minor annoyance that has bugged me with every mouth guard I’ve ever used. Luckily because of the extra Gelatin insert it helps eliminate most of that annoyance
Sitting neutral on my mouth, not being able to even MOVE like a MG should, the ventilation is just how it should be with and without a mouth guard, which is EASILY.
Score: 10/10
Protection-
One big problem with every mouth guard is the player’s ability to remove it and it just drops out of the mouth. You see it everywhere, the horseshoe hanging out of the mouth. How is that even protective?
Like I stated with the other topics, this mouth guard is really hard to remove from your teeth, it really sticks to them. Like a suction, which makes it fit...Like a Glove.
So how did we test for protection? I have a bad habit of punishing myself. Pushing myself to do things that most normal people won’t do if it means any pain comes their way. So I took the liberty.
1. Punches: There was a poor on another team who I kept doing things on ice to really annoy him and make him mad on purpose. At the peak of his anger, I explained the situation and said “I’ve angered you enough, I want you to do something about it” and shoved him. He proceeded to punch me very hard with his glove on, to my mouth. Did you know when you get punched the first thing you feel is your teeth getting rattled? I felt nothing but my lip being torn on the inside. I had my teammate punch me repeatedly at different angles with his glove on and with out his glove on and nothing but damage to the inside of my lip. No tooth soreness either afterwards.
2. Pucks to the mouth: Thank the Upper Being I did not take a puck to the mouth, I’m actually well OVER that, thankfully. Luckily, for your benefit, I took a wrist shot deflection off my mouth, right on the upper lip, and I felt nothing on the teeth, but yet again my inner lip felt the rest which wasn’t wonderful as I spat blood out on my skate over to the bench, but as the night went on and the next few days, No soreness to my teeth or anything. Luckily I did not take another puck to the mouth, as I did manage to take a slap shot to the visor, breaking my visor, but I’ll take that over a destroyed face.
Score: 10/10
Shell- The shell of the mouth guard is quite similar to most that are out in the market, strong, single density, refusing to tear with impact and just being what it should be, an armour piece to the main protection.
Gels for impact- this gelatin as stated before is quite peculiar. Latex free, Mixing two separate types that makes the Gel for the final step just adds so much to the protection, a better feel than the impact gels other companies use, and a true fit to your teeth and as I said before the most 100% Custom Fit. Unlike most this mouth guard also doesn’t take to bad smells. Bacteria build up is what gives off those bad smells. The Gel is the best I’ve used in the aspects of protection and the ability to reject most bacteria and smell. I still suggest dunking your mouth guard in Listerine, as I have to keep it clean.
Weight – Some mouth guards really weigh quite a bit especially those heavy with gel, this one does not have that problem. You can easily have your baby flick it without an issue, and it doesn’t have that “Heavy” feel that makes you see the mouth guard actually fall off the teeth. That will never happen, as I have to stick my fingers in my mouth just to remove it.
Score: 10/10
Durability – So far so good, I’ve used the mouth guard at least 14 times at this point of writing after squeezing my one game a week hockey into two games and one skate a week since and I can say there are no effects that affect the mouth guard negatively. Everything so far has been great, and as I’m sure will continue to be great. Normally when you take a hit, you have a tendency to clench your teeth; I have actually bitten through a mouth guard before. So far with bites I have not had the issue.
I have also stepped on the mouthguard on purpose with my skate and it didnt even cut it, i also chewed on it to see if it would break down and nothing.
Score: 10/10 (May change but I doubt this)
Conclusion – Overall this is the best mouth guard I have used for hockey or any sport. The contact protection feels amazing, from direct contact or passive contact that can lead to the most random concussions. Not one single issue. No Taste, no smell, no miscues.
Would I recommend this mouth guard? Absolutely. This is one of the most solid mouth guards as far as protection, durability, and safety. You cannot go wrong.
Is this going to be the best money you ever spend to protect your teeth? Yes, immediately will easily become one of your best investments.
Should you get this mouth guard if you play without face protection? There should be no other option available in stores.
Score: 9.8/10
For the price, it's well worth it, this isn't a typical boil and bite, this is a really good one to have If your kid loses mouthguards like crazy, i suggest making sure they use the carrying case and keep track of it, if its for you, you're an adult you can do take care of it.
Price: 65$ American, and well worth it.
*Editors Note, Mouth guard will go by MG at certain times. So as you’re not confused.
By Humberto Yanez
