Although many people don’t really agree with this, combat sports are exciting, addictive, they provide a great opportunity to make money (if you practice them at professional level), and can even assist in stress management. Obviously, with the passing of time and the development of various types of combat sports such as boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, and karate, adequate sports gear has been perfected to protect the athletes and provide them with better training experiences. For example, nowadays almost anyone can afford a pair of high-quality
boxing gloves, a heavy
punching bag, and specially designed
boxing shoes, all of which are necessary accessories if you take combat sports seriously.
Apart from this standard protective gear, you'll also need a mouth guard. Even if you do your best to avoid direct hits to your face, it is rather likely that at some point during your career you'll get a forceful blow – you know, the ones that make you see stars rotating above your head. The job of a mouth guard is to minimize the impact of these impacts and protect your teeth and, without use of one, athletes can end up with broken teeth.
The purpose of this guide is to help you figure out what mouth guard is best for you and how to pick one. Don’t worry, such accessories are not that expensive anwith consideration for the benefits they offer, you'll soon realize that they are worth every penny!
Price
Speaking of pennies, let's talk about the price aspect first to get that out of the way. High-quality mouth guards can cost between 10 and 50 dollars, depending on various factors such as the size, design, material, and inclusion of a protective case.
On the same note, we advise you to stay away from excessively cheap mouth guards, usually those priced around five dollars, because they don’t provide adequate protection. They tend to be flimsy and poorly formed and you shouldn’t take risks when it comes to the health and wellbeing of your teeth.
Features
When it comes to features, we will look at a few below, but keep in mind that these accessories can include many other advantages aside from those listed.
- Size - in most cases, mouth guards are made for adults or youths, but you may be able to find something in between if a specific model doesn’t fit your particular needs dependent on the size and structure of your mouth
- Warranty - you might be happy to know that many high-quality mouth guards include dental warranties which can basically cover treatment plans in case you get injured while using the product
- Color - yes, girls, there are pink mouth guards out there too, as well as many in different shades of black, blue, red, yellow, and other nuances
- Material - mouth guards can be made from different materials, but usually they are designed using various types of rubber or tough gel-like materials
Now that we've covered the basics, let's go ahead and take a closer look into these accessories and see how they stack up when it comes to construction and design.
Construction and Design
As mentioned above, you'll find guards made from thermo-rubber or even medical-grade silicone that are sure to provide adequate protection and dissipate the force of a powerful hit, while preventing discomfort during use.
Also, multiple guards have built-in breathing channels to allow you to talk and breathe normally which is vital while training or during a fight (particularly breathing). Some guards are even specifically designed to be used by people who wear braces and most of them are ideal for near all contact sports.
Using a mouth guard is not complicated and there are instructions provided in the package on how to apply it, especially for the first time. Some guards are boilable so you can customize them in the comfort of your own home to fit your specific needs. Lastly, remember that mouth guards come in various colors and this can be an interesting aspect to explore if you are offering one as a gift.
Performance and Ease of Use
In some cases, your mouth guard will also come with a protective case which is very useful and highly recommended for hygiene purposes. If your specific model didn’t include a case in the package, you might need to spend a couple of extra bucks to buy one.
Regarding the dental warranty, the manufacturer will typically provide one valued around five to 10 thousand dollars all the way up to 35 thousand dollars in some cases, usually limited to one year and hopefully never needed. This should cover the costs of your dental treatments in the case the mouth guard didn’t work as promised for you.
Remember that is entirely necessary for you to have a mouth guard, even when engaging in basic sparring sessions with your partner. The info we provided above will help you pick a good one, so let's examine a couple of great guards and what benefits they have to offer.
Features
Sisu is a brand mainly focused on mouth guards for people of all ages. It produces a wide variety of such items in various colors, sizes, and styles, all of them being made from high-quality materials. You can also buy protective cases for your mouth guard from Sisu and some of their products can also be used to stop teeth grinding during sleep.
Let's talk about the Aero 1.6mm Custom Fit mouth guard from Sisu, which is available in a plethora of colors such as purple, red, pink, yellow, and many others. It also comes in two styles – original and NextGen – the difference between them being in design and shape.
This type of mouth guard is specially designed for young athletes as well as seasoned pros. It is made from a high-quality, hygienic material and can be used for all contact sports including boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and others. Best of all, you'll be able to talk and breathe normally while wearing this guard due to its super-slim design that remains effective in dissipating the energy of a forceful blow.
Features
We are sure you've heard of Under Armour before as they are a leading manufacturer of sports equipment, backpacks, apparel, and other accessories. This company designs some of the most eye-catching, practical, and reliable items such as athletic footwear, hoodies for boys and girls, duffle bags, and backpacks. The brand was founded in 1996 has gained a great reputation since then.
For now, let's explore the benefits of the ArmourFit Mouthguard from Under Armour and see why its worthy of your purchase. This mouth guard is available in a large size and a timeless black color, but Under Armour makes other guards in different colors as well, if that's important to you.
This guard also meets the NFHS rules, is designed to be used for all contact sports, is latex-free, and the shape allows you to breathe and talk comfortably. The material from which it is made is durable and lightweight, so it will be comfortable to wear during your training sessions or fights. It also comes at a reasonable price, so why not give it a try?
Features
Shock Guard is another impressive brand specializing in protective equipment for athletes competing in various sports. For example, apart from its wide array of mouth and lip guards, you can also find high-quality knee supporters as well as low-profile insoles, ankle stabilizers, and other accessories. Safety is vastly important when practicing sports which is where the items made by Shock Doctor come into play!
The Double Braces Mouthguard is ideal for all contact sports, meeting NFHS guidelines. This model is also available in blue or red, in strapped or strapless styles as well as two sizes – youth and adult. You really cannot go wrong with this mouth guard.
It is made from medical-grade silicone and features integrated breathing channels which will basically allow you to breathe and talk normally while training or during a fight. It also does not require boiling and can fit instantly while giving you the sensation of comfort all the times. Lastly, this mouth guard will protect athletes with braces from lacerations thanks to its clever design and quality of material.
Features
If you're into boxing and contact sports in general, you probably have already heard of Venum, one of the largest suppliers of equipment and accessories for athletes who practice contact sports. You can get pretty much everything you need from this brand, starting from boxing gloves and mouth guards up to protective headgear, bags, and even Venum-branded apparel.
The Challenger Mouthguard from Venum is available in many colors such as black, blue, red, purple, yellow, and more and it is delivered with a protective case for hygiene purposes. This model from Venum features a special gel frame as well as components made from high-density rubber to ensure that you are protected during a fight, without compromising on comfort.
The guard also allows proper breathing as it has special channels that don’t obstruct airflow. You can use this accessory for all contact sports, rest assured that your lips and teeth won't be damaged by forceful blows. It is worth mentioning here that this model and many other accessories from Venum are developed with the help of professional athletes, particularly UFC fighters, such as Lyoto Machida and Wanderlei Silva.
Features
We are happy to report that Vettex is another excellent brand specialized in mouth guards for athletes who practice different types of combat sports, so you have yet another option at your disposal. This company makes guards in different sizes, colors, and shapes from some of the most durable and resistant materials out there.
For example, the Adult Football Mouthguard from Vettex comes with a one-piece adjustable strap and it is made to fit adults and young adults, making it ideal for young, aspiring boxers or football players who need protection while playing their favorite sports.
This model is made from thermo-rubber which ensures great strength while remaining comfortable and easy to wear. It is also available in numerous color options such as blue, white, red, yellow, and others with breathing holes incorporated, so you'll be able to talk and breathe with little to no effort.
Professional athletes and amateur fighters all over the world use these guards to shield their teeth and minimize injury. They can be used for a variety of sports including football, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. Pick your favorite one and your teeth will thank you afterwards!
