Mouthguards: non-negotiable
A mouthguard cushions teeth, lips and jaw during impact. It is the cheapest insurance in combat sports, and the item most often “forgotten” by beginners right up until it isn't.
The three tiers
- Stock guards — pre-formed, no moulding. Cheap, poor fit, mostly a box-ticker. Skip if you can.
- Boil-and-bite — thermoplastic you mould at home. The standard choice: good protection at low cost when moulded carefully.
- Custom-fitted — made from a dental impression. Best fit, protection and ability to breathe/talk; worth it for regular sparring and competition.
Moulding a boil-and-bite properly
- Follow the maker's times — over-softening thins the material where you need it most.
- Mould in front of a mirror: centre it, bite firmly, suck out air and press into the front teeth with fingers and tongue.
- Cold-water set, then test: it should stay on your upper teeth without clenching.
- Bad mould? Most can be re-boiled once or twice — a loose guard protects badly.
Single or double?
Single (upper) guards are standard for striking sports — they protect well and let you breathe. Double guards protect both rows but restrict airflow; some people prefer them, most don't. Braces need brace-specific guards — ask your orthodontist.
Replace it when
- It's bitten through, split or thin at the impact points;
- Fit loosens (it will, as the material fatigues);
- Each season for regular sparrers, and after any dental work that changes your bite.
Rinse after use, brush it occasionally with a toothbrush, and keep it in a vented case — a closed wet case is a science experiment.