Mouth protection

[Rebelninja]

I've been looking around for a good mouth-guard to protect my teeth for airsoft. Up until now, I have worn a bandanna over my mouth, but I am not sure if that is adequate protection. Any suggestions?

[Crazyman™]

Sports mouthguards. I've read about many players using those. I'm not sure how effective they are, though.

Obviously, the safest thing for your mouth would be a paintball mask.

I'm on the fence with the idea of buying one for myself after taking 500fps an inch above my mouth.

[pballer829]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Anything less than a full face (paintball preferably) mask is simply a missing tooth/perforated nose/tounge/cheek/ swallowed BB waiting for a time and place to happen. Mouthguards are great and all, but they still don't protect your nose or cheeks. If you're set on getting a mouthguard, any sports one will work. However I can't in good conscience suggest anything other than a full mask.

[Gentner]

Shemaghs work perfectly, they collect sweat, protect your face and keep the sun off of your neck, face, and ears. They can run 10-20 bucks and their 100% cotton. The only downside to them is that they make you sweat. If you fold them the right way it will work a lot better then Bandanas and mouth guards.

[Embed]

Ever since I had a tooth shout out, I've been using the ShockDoctor Pro mouthguard. It's done fine so far. I haven't been shot in the mouth with it however I have shot it with varying velocities and it stood up to all of them. You can get them for about $5 and even less on ebay, they're really nice.

[Great Troub of Troubistan]

The only problem with mouthgaurds is communication problems. For people not used to mouthguards its hard to talk clearly. Some people have an easier time.

Mostly just hockey players, as we learn real quick to talk clearly with those in, and how to understand mouthguard speak.

[Zorak]

Mouthguard speak over a radio with a mediocre mic comes out as flat gibberish, though. If you talk on the radio a lot, use a facemask or some other external protection.

[Яoman]

When I get my sniper outfit completed i will be having a small,thing,transparent veil tanking from my booney along with a "shemag" like veil to cover up my neck and other exposed areas. I suggest running with a shemag rather than the balaclava because the material is thicker but can be a lot cooler. So improved protection and air flow.

[Merrick]

Like Mr. Embed, I have been using a shock doctor pro mouthguard in attempt to protect my teeth from bbs. I worry mostly for my teeth as cosmetic dental work can be very pricey, especially for those of us with very minimal health insurance.

As for the nose and face, I have never really heard of or seen any significant airsoft injuries that would require medical attention. Therefor I just wear my goggles and mouthguard.

I have mad a few modifications to my shock doctor to help improve my communicative quality, but as Zorak personally knows my communication over the radio still suffers with the mouthguard in place. I still like my smile better than crystal clear comms though. ;D

here's a few pics of my modified and slightly chewed up mouthguard.

[frostee]

Fabric is not adequate protection from chipped or cracked teeth, even if its layered. Adequate mouth protection is a guard or full face mask.

As for the other areas of your face that aren't protected by goggles, you're likely to receive a more serious injury from the environment than a bb. Contusions and breaks from falling on rocks and lacerations from branches, thorns, and rocks. The only way to avoid those is a full mask.

Craziest minor injury I've seen, that had the potential to be serious, was a twig up a nose. It caused minor bleeding, because it scrapped along the nasal passage. Could have been serious if it had gone deep.

Bonus Karma points for the first NON GK member who can tell me who on GK that happened to.

[Embed]

Jacko

[frostee]

mrembed said:

Jacko

Wrong.

[Jacko]

That wasn't a bad guess since I tend to just run straight through small foliage instead of picking my way through it or going around it.

[PHX02]

I wear a paintball mask, but if I decide to get a good pair of goggles, I'll probably start wearing my retainer. It's kind of like those invisaline things. No verbal interruption, good protection, very nice.

[Psychosis]

Are you talking about the invisible braces, like a sheath of plastic that cover your whole teeth? Because a single line of wire isn't going to be much help against bb's.