How to choose a Mouthguard for Combat Sports? Tips you should know

LockerRoom Team

15 Jul 2022

If you are involved in Combat Sports, you probably know by now how important a Mouthguard is. But do you know how you can choose a Mouthguard? Here are some tips that can help you to choose a mouthguard. In the article, we will be covering the following topics courtesy of ONE Championship.

Are mouth guards necessary? Why Mouthguard?
What are the types of Mouthguards?
How mouthguard should fit? What to look for in a Mouthguard?
Where to buy Mouthguards?
How to clean a mouthguard?

Here is a look at the topics in detail.

Are mouth guards necessary? Why Mouthguard?

The right mouthguard will protect your mouth from the majority of serious injuries. Mouthpieces may appear to only protect your teeth, but they also protect your lips, tongue, face, and jaw.

As a result, they are useful for competition and sparring. You're going to get hit in the face in competition. However, even in sparring, which is supposed to be a more relaxed style of competition, mistakes happen and you may be hit harder than expected.

Without a mouth guard, you risk having a tooth loosened, knocked out, or chipped. If you have a chipped tooth, it can cut into your lips or tongue.

What are the types of Mouthguards?

In general, you have three options for martial arts mouthguards: stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-made.

Stock
Boil and Bite
Custom

Stock mouth guards are performed to fit either an adult or a child's mouth.

Because they cannot be tailored to the shape of your mouth, you should avoid using them for sparring in Muay Thai or other striking arts.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are a step above standard mouthguards. After purchasing one of these mouth guards, you must boil it in water, allow it to cool, then bite into it and apply pressure until it forms around your teeth. Because these mouthguards are less expensive than custom-made mouthpieces, they do not last as long and may not provide as much protection. However, they are adequate for the majority of sparring situations.

Custom mouthguards are made to fit the exact shape of your mouth. They provide the highest level of protection because they are custom-made for you. This is the mouthguard you want if you compete or spar harder than usual.

How mouthguard should fit? What to look for in a Mouthguard?

When purchasing a martial arts mouthguard, three factors must be considered.

First, can you breathe with the mouthguard on? This is significant. Because you will be increasing your heart rate while training, you will be breathing a lot through your mouth. Check that your mouthpiece does not obstruct airflow.

Second, will the mouthguard remain in place? A mouth protector is useless if it keeps falling out of your mouth.

Third, does it make you happy? If you have to train for hours with a mouthguard on, make sure it is comfortable; otherwise, you may not want to wear it.

Where to buy Mouthguards?

You can buy Mouthguards from Sports equipment and martial arts stores as they may stock boil-and-bite mouthguards. If you want a custom mouthpiece, you must shop online or visit a dentist.

In most cases, a company will send you a mouth mould to create at home. You then return the mould, and when your mouthguard is finished, they mail it to you. You can also visit specific dentists to complete the same procedure.

Some of the famous mouthguards are listed below.

Shock doctor mouthguard
Sisu Mouthguard
Battle mouthguard
Vettex mouthguard
Binky mouthguard

How to clean a mouthguard

Mouthguards are not meant to last indefinitely. However, there are a few things you can do to keep them in good condition.

Brushing your mouthguard as you would your own teeth is one of the most effective ways to keep it clean. If you don't have a toothbrush, you can clean your mouthpiece with cool water and a little soap.

When not in use, always store your mouthguard in a cool, dry place, regardless of the method you use to clean it. Never store it in direct sunlight or in a hot environment.

Finally, before each use, always inspect your mouthguard. Replace it if it shows signs of cracking or if it no longer fits snugly.

Keep these tips in mind if you are out to buy a mouthguard.

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