Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be tough on your body, and whilst most people focus on your bones and limbs, there’s also a lesser spoken issue that also crops up from time to time. That is, protecting your mouth. Whether it’s from cutting your lip, to literally losing your teeth – mouth injuries are actually quite common in BJJ.
Most people will know of someone with a chipped or broken tooth from years of training and it only takes one bump for things to go wrong. Perhaps the most famous example of this is seen with the Miyao brothers, who have teeth missing from their various battles on the mat. Whilst this is cool for a professional, if you’re a hobbyist with a day job, then the damaged face look isn’t so appealing.
This is where mouthguards come in handy. Sometimes referred to as gumshields, these will help protect your teeth from bad injuries and should also be non-interfering with your training. Here’s a bit more information on how mouthguards work.
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Three main types of mouthguard
Typically, there are three types of BJJ mouthguards to choose from. These are:
- Generic mouthguards: These are found online and in most shops. Here, you literally pop them in your mouth and you’re ready to go. Just make sure they fit correctly as this can be a potential issue if they’re too small or big.
- Boiled mouthguards: These can also be found in most stores and are a little different. You’re meant to boil these in water and put them in your mouth so they naturally shape around your teeth. After this, they will set in place to adapt to the size of your teeth.
- Custom fit mouthguards: These are done by professionals and are usually more expensive. Here, someone will measure your mouth and build a mouthguard around the size of your teeth.
Important information with a mouthguard
This goes without saying, but remember to wash your mouthguard. Too often, people get lazy and wash their mouthguards correctly. This can result in the mouthguard getting dirty and covered in bacteria. Remember, this is going in your mouth so there’s no reason not to clean it.
Although it’s great to protect your teeth, it’s a bit pointless if you’re doing it whilst also putting bad bacteria into your body – which could do more harm than good. As a result, remember to clean your mouthguard after every training session otherwise it can become problematic.
Here’s how we’ve scored each BJJ mouthguard:
- Cost and affordability
- Durability and quality of product
- Style and look
- Comfort
- Mouth protection
Oral Mart Adult Sports Mouth Guard
Available in various styles, this is a budget mouthguard that costs under $10. This also measures at 2.15 x 2.26 x 0.8 inches, so make sure you know this before buying. It’s also made in the USA and is BPA free, meaning there are no potentially dangerous chemicals involved with the creation of this.
Within the mouthguard, it also has molded teeth engravings to fit your teeth into. This is good, as some mouthguards just use a flat floor which doesn’t offer as much protection to your teeth when training.
GuardLab APEX Lite Mouth Guard
This mouthguard uses the boil and bite method to make sure it fits your teeth perfectly. It’s also incredibly slim at 2.5mm, so gone are the days of having a really clunky fitting mouthguard in your mouth.
What’s nice about the APEX is that it also has a very detailed inner mold. It not only has the typical teeth engravings but more structure surrounding where the teeth go. You can tell that a lot of effort has gone into making this and apparently they used 3D technology to do so…this is clearly visible.
Venum Challenger Mouth Guard
You may have heard of Venum as they supply the UFC with the official fightwear. With this in mind, it’s safe to say that Venum has a good reputation when it comes to making martial arts products. The Venum Challenger is a preset mouthguard and the price reflects this. It also measures 1.25 x 5 x 10 inches and comes with a carry case which is handy and also hygienic.
OPRO Power-Fit Mouth guard
If you glance at the packaging of this mouthguard then you’ll know a lot of effort and technology has gone into this product to make it work. Unsurprisingly, OPRO are also partners with the UFC which says a lot.
This was also made by dentists so you know it’s high quality. Perhaps the best bit about the OPRO mouthguard is the three layers. For instance, one layer contains the shaping gel, whilst the other layer has an ion coating for protection. This is a testament that mouthguards have come a long way since their earlier days.
Shock Doctor Pro Mouth Guard
Starting at under $6, this is truly a bargain and Shock Doctor is a reputable brand too. Measuring 5 x 3 x 1 inches, it uses boil and bite and has a shock absorber at the bottom of the guard. This is ideal if you ever bite down as it will protect your teeth from shattering.
A nice touch with the Shock Doctor Pro is that it’s also compatible with braces. Therefore, if you’re a teen that trains BJJ then this may make for an ideal choice.
Safejawz Mouth Guard
Safejawz is one of the more stylish mouthguard brands out there and is known for having flamboyant fangs on the front of their pieces. Perhaps the best part about this mouthguard though is that it can be remolded after the first attempt.
In other words, if it isn’t quite fitted correctly on the first try, then you can go again. As many mouthguard brands won’t accept returns after it’s been shaped, this is a great idea by Safejawz. It also comes with a shock absorber which certainly helps.
MENOLY 5 Pack Mouth Guards
As the title suggests, this is for the price of 5 mouthguards which seems a bargain. The catch? These are suggested to be replaced every 3 months. In other words, they will last you a total of 15 months. This works out at $1 per month, which is actually very reasonable if you think about it.
It’s also great if you lose a mouthguard or something happens. They’re also made from eco friendly materials which is great if you’re an environmentally conscious grappler.
Under Armour Gameday Pro Mouth Guard
Another well known brand is Under Armour. Their Gameday Pro mouthguard also comes with a $10,000 dental warranty so you know Under Armour are confident in their creation. One of the main benefits of this particular mouthguard is that it’s also designed to be easy to breathe whilst wearing it. This is especially important for BJJ practitioners as cardio enables you to push through tough rounds.
Fightr Mouth Guard
As the name suggests, this mouthguard is designed with combat sports in mind. A nice feature of this mouthguard is that it has a small dent in the top of the mold. This makes it easier to breathe which is ideal for doing BJJ training in. With a competitive price too, this is a good choice for a starter mouthguard.
SISU Mouth Guard
The SISU mouthguard has breathable hole in it which makes it easier to breathe which is important. It’s also fitted from canine to canine which ensures maximum protection of all your teeth.
The best feature of this mouthguard is that it comes with a bite pad which means that it’s easy to shape your mouth around. Sadly, many other mouthguards don’t come with this important feature. Available in multiple colors, this makes for a solid choice.
