I have been involved in Martial Arts for over 30 years. I believe the best mouthpiece for anyone involved in any sport, especially "impact" sports such as football, hockey, boxing and of course martial Arts is the double guard mouthpiece.

During a demonstration at a "boxing smoker" held between several college fraternities two of my "heavy-weight" intermediate rank students where sparring. These two 6 foot tall, 200lb students could kick well and enjoyed "mixing it up" together.

Near the end of their three-minute "light-contact" match one student delivered a picture perfect, one in a thousand, "spinning back kick" to the mouth. It landed perfectly on the double guard mouthpiece. The student dropped, knocked out immediately by the force of what is considered in Martial Arts as the most powerful kick.

The crowd of "lively" college students roared in approval. I rushed to the downed student and removed his mouthpiece expecting to find several teeth imbedded in it and ample amounts of blood for the crowd to enjoy. I was amazed to see only a small "blood bruise" on the upper lip and a "dirt mark" from the impact of the bottom of the heel on the mouthpiece.

My student shook it off fought another ten seconds and I had the two young men "bow out", ending the match. My student received a kick I have seen break jaws, knock out teeth, knock out opponents and when delivered to the body breaks ribs and end fights. This mouthpiece saved my student from a serious injury to his teeth and jaw. I also believe the impact it absorbed protected my student from a mild concussion.

I became a believer in the mouthpiece and I will not fight without it. There was a permanent dirt mark from the heel making such hard contact on the mouthpiece, the mark couldn't be washed off and my student purchased a new mouthpiece in red instead of white. He didn't like being reminded of that "kick". 

I will not allow my students to compete or spar in class without it. I have put up with good natured ribbing about the "pacifier" look but let me add most of my "black belt" friends that use the old style mouthpiece that molds to the upper teeth are missing their front teeth. My students and I will stick to the double guard mouthpiece. It is the preferred and recommended mouthpiece of the AYSMA.

Covert Blackledge
7th Dan, Black Belt, American Taekwon Do
President, American Youth Sport Martial Arts Association