Every highly-physical sport, such as boxing, requires taking safety precautions in order to avoid getting injured. One of those is to wear boxing mouth guards as a precautionary measure.
In boxing, you are very exposed to accidental contact and whenever you spar or fight someone else in the ring, your mouth can become the target of your opponent’s punch. This is the main reason why boxing mouth guards are needed in this sport.
So, do boxers wear mouthguards? Yes, they do, or at least they should. Whether you are an amateur or professional, this is a necessary protective gear that is as important as your pair of boxing gloves.
What are some benefits of using boxing mouth guards?
According to Boxing Ready, a mouth guard can also help those people who have the tendency to grind their teeth when making an effort. This gear can help avoid damage to the teeth.
Additionally, the most obvious benefit is that it can prevent the boxer from losing a tooth. Yes, a punch thrown with great power can knock out an opponent’s teeth. “A slight angle change may cause its fracture, which may lead to other tooth problems in the future. Also, without a proper mouthpiece you become vulnerable to sustaining a broken jaw, and even brain injury, without the impact-absorbing quality a good boxing mouth guard is designed for”, the aforementioned website says.
In other words, boxing mouth guards protect the teeth, jaw and neck by absorbing the force of the punches and dispersing it. Therefore, it is a very good and wise decision to invest in a quality mouthpiece if you are boxing. Think about how much your teeth are worth to you and how much a mouthpiece will cost you. It is an investment that’s highly worth it.
What mouth guard is best for boxing?
There are several types of boxing mouth guards, here you can read a little bit about each type. You should note that these are over-the-counter mouthguards but you can also get custom-made mouth guards, which we will tell you about later.
Over-the-counter mouth guards are made of thin plastic and are meant to be used by a wide range of people. They come smooth, preformed in a u-shape tray and cover the entire top row of teeth.
- Stock mouthguards: These are easy to find and ready-to-use. However, they do not fit as nicely as a professional guard does but they come in great designs and are cheaper than other options.
- Boil and bite guards: These offer more protection than stock mouth guards and are also a little bit more expensive. They come in standard sizes but can be shaped according to the curves of your teeth and gums, therefore feel more natural.
- Custom mouthguards: These are much more expensive but they are worth every penny because they give you more protection. How do you get a custom-fit mouthguard? You need to contact a dentist to have them made. They are super effective and can be also designed aesthetically to match your boxing personality.
Pros and cons of over-the-counter mouth guards
The efficacy of over-the-counter mouth guards, according to 123 Dentists, will depend on how intensely you grind your teeth; the amount of outside force that is applied to the face; the thickness of the mouthpiece itself; if it was moulded properly after it was boiled; if they are able to stay on the teeth even when the mouth is open.
Some pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to buy
- Relatively quick to fit
Cons:
- Not suitable for violent teeth grinders
- Do not last very long
- Can be ill-fitting
- Less able to withstand forces during sports
Pros and cons of custom-fit mouth guards
These are mouth guards that can only be obtained through a dentist. He or she will make a mould from your teeth and create a mouthpiece that suits you perfectly.
Pros:
- Best protection available
- Extremely durable
- Can both protect teeth and alleviate jaw tension
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Requires a dentist appointment
How should a boxing mouth guard fit?
There are a few things you can check to be sure that your mouth guard fits properly into your mouth. Gladiator Guards recommends the following:
- Be sure the mouthpiece for boxing does not make you gag. To avoid this, the mouthguard should not touch the soft palate. There is also a myth that the mouth guard has to cover completely all of the upper teeth but it is false.
- You do not need to bite to keep the mouth guard in place. If you have to bite or clench so that the mouthpiece does not fall out, then it is not fitting properly.
- It must fit over part of your gums. Your gums also need protection from lacerations and the mouth guard also protects the roots of the teeth. Therefore, a properly-fit mouthpiece should cover part of your gums.
- You should be able to speak clearly. If you talk and can speak and breathe just fine then your mouth guard has a perfect fit. If you have trouble breathing or speaking, then this is not the right mouthpiece for you. You should even be able to drink normally.
5 best mouthpieces for boxing
You can find over-the-counter mouth guards from $7 and up, however, custom-made ones can cost anywhere from $100 and $700! Here we have gathered for you the top five over-the-counter mouth guards on Amazon, check them out!
- Venum Challenger Mouthguard
This mouth guard by Venum comes in 13 different colors. It is designed with a Nexfit Gel Frame that provides better adjustment and comfort. Its advanced design is perfect for better breathing during the fight. It also comes with a high-density rubber frame that gives better shock management and top protection.
Check this product on Amazon.
2. Shock Doctor Mouthguard
This another top product you can find today for protecting your teeth. Shock Doctor Mouthguard is made of gel-fit liner technology and it is easy-to-fit and it molds to your teeth and gums which provides extended use.
You can choose from 16 different colors depending on your personal taste. In addition, it has integrated breathing channels that make it easy to breathe while wearing the guard. A heavy-duty Exoskeletal Shock Frame provides full mouth protection during the hardest impacts, protects cheek and tongue, teeth grinding, and secures teeth in place.
Check this product on Amazon.
3. Shock Doctor Pro Mouthguard
This is another product from Shock Doctor that will guard your teeth in boxing. This one comes in only one color but is suitable not only for boxing but also for football, basketball, lacrosse, hockey, MMA, boxing, jiu jitsu and much more.
This is a mouthpiece that requires boiling before using but it will give you a comfortable fit. It can also be reformed as needed. Its shock-absorption technology will protect you against impact, even if you have braces, and it comes with a $10,000 dental guarantee!
Check this product on Amazon.
4. Everlast Evershield Double Mouthguard
Everlast always has great products for boxing and the Evershield Double Mouthguard is another one of them. It is designed with a double-layered frame and an inner shock-absorbent layer that combined provides perfect protection.
It is also engineered for both upper and lower jaw protection and it can be boiled and bitten for a custom, tight and comfortable fit. Its center breath channel allows for unobstructed airflow. You can choose between grey, red or pink colors.
Check this product on Amazon.
5. Redline Sportswear Custom Molded Mouthguard with case
From Redline you can get this great custom-molded mouth guard with its case that works great for both children and adults. Boil it and get a comfortable fit and also choose from white, red, blue, yellow, grey, green, and pink colors.
It is designed with a dual-layer gel lining and the case will assure your mouthpiece will be protected from bacteria, dirt and possible damage.
Check this product on Amazon.
Do you use a mouth guard when you are boxing? Which brand do you use or did you have it custom-made with a dentist? Tell us in the comments below!
