Best Mouthguard for BJJ
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a highly decorated form of Martial Art, that incorporates a dynamic transitional system, and many elements that can impact an athlete's safety. Even though BJJ can be practised safely, there is still an element of danger attached, so it is extremely important for athletes to have some of the necessary safety equipment. Some of the bjj must haves are exceptionally protective mouth guards, the right strapping for injuries, protective guards for an athlete's ears, rashguards that fit well, and some of the best bjj gi's available. Once a student has the appropriate tools in place, then training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will become extremely fun, while giving them the best opportunity to excel in the sport.
What this article covers:
- Why Is It Important to Wear Mouth Protection
- Some Common Mouth Injuries in BJJ
- What to Think About when Buying a Mouth Guard
- The Best Mouth Guards for BJJ
- Custom BJJ Mouthguard
- How to Get Custom Mouth Guards Made
- BJJ Gum Shield
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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO WEAR MOUTH PROTECTION
Most athletes can imagine the repercussions of having several teeth knocked out, there would be lasting effects on how they smile, talk, or eat. It becomes exceedingly important for athletes to wear mouth protection, so they can prevent injuries to their mouth, or face. The impact a significant blow to mouth could cause is astronomical, and protecting the inner workings of their mouth becomes quite substantial. Just like the best groin cup for bjj protects the vital areas, the mouth guard has the same purpose for a student's teeth, and jaw. Mouth protection helps cushion a blow to the face, which can minimise the risk of broken teeth, as well as injuries to their lips, tongue, face or jaw. Mouth guards will generally cover the upper portion of a student's teeth, and are a great asset in protecting the soft tissues of a tongue, lips and the cheek lining.
In most cases the top teeth will take the brunt of a trauma, and this is due to the top teeth sticking out more. This is the reason most mouth guards only protect the upper teeth, instead of the bottom. The lower teeth are usually further back, meaning the need for protection becomes less important. However there are mouth guards that protect the upper, and lower teeth, as this becomes more important for combat sports, especially when striking is involved. Nobody wants to damage their mouth, as broken teeth, damaged gums, and lacerated cheeks can become extremely troublesome. Aside from the pain factor of an infected tooth, or a damaged nerve, there are significant costs involved when trying to secure dental work. Paying for teeth will leave a student heavily out of pocket, and in some cases deformities in the mouth can cause nasal problems, speech problems and other issues relating to the mouth.
SOME COMMON MOUTH INJURIES IN BJJ
There are many different ways that an athlete can incur injuries to their mouth region. Like all contact sports, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can expose athletes to orofacial injuries, with the most common being contusions, lacerations, and tooth fractures. Intraoral, perioral, and facial lacerations are all extremely common injuries in competitive sports. Research has indicated that around eighty percent of all dental injuries occur in the four maxillary incisor teeth, and that dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury that will be obtained during the participation of combat sports. Professional athletes of BJJ, and MMA have significantly more injuries than amateur athletes. The most common injury in combat sports is the head, neck, or face region at a whopping 38.2%, and the number one injury is contusions.
There are a multitude of ways that a student can damage their mouth. Some of the most common ways are through the practise of takedowns, chokes to the face or neck, unintentional knees to the face, and grinding of the body while transitioning between positions. There are many takedowns, and throws like the seoi nage that can land a student right into their face. This can be extremely dangerous, which can result in fractured teeth, abrasions, lacerations or worse, this is why the importance of a mouth guard is quite significant. Chokes can often become quite dangerous, as even when a student is wearing a mouth guard, they may still suffer damage due to tight chokes that land on the face or jaw. During BJJ training there are often errant knees that may find their way into an unwanted area, and even though strikes are illegal in BJJ, this still does not stop these kinds of accidents from happening.
When beginners start training in Jiu Jitsu, they will often be clumsy, and this is the leading cause for facial injuries. New students are still trying to understand the mechanics of BJJ, and getting thrown to the mat can become a danger to these students. Transitioning is where a lot of injuries occur, and this is because newer students are clumsy, and reckless. This may even be the case when students are training at home, as after finding the best bjj training dummy, they will recklessly hurt themselves during their solo drills. Other common facial injuries are caused by the Gi, as the rough exterior of the fabric will cause rashes, lacerations, contusions, and broken teeth. This is due to how strong the lapel becomes when it is tied around an opponent's facial area.
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WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN BUYING A MOUTH GUARD
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a highly dynamic contact sport, and just like the need to find the best bjj ear guards to protect the ears, finding the right mouth protection is crucial to the safety of an athlete. All combat sports athletes need to wear protective gear for training, and for competition. Even though Brazilian Jiu Jitsu does not allow strikes, there will always be accidents that can cause significant harm. Not all students like to wear mouth guards, but the importance is vital, and protecting an athlete's teeth has to be priority one. Mouth guards are specifically designed to prevent injuries, as opposed to helping an athlete through the injury. This means choosing the right mouth guard is an extremely important step, and must be taken seriously, especially if the student is a competitor.
There are certain aspects about good mouth guards that athletes need to be aware of before they buy. The first component is knowing that an athlete needs to be able to breathe freely, and be able to communicate while wearing the mouth guard. This means that finding a mouth guard that is comfortable is a necessity. The next important fact to know is about fitting a mouth guard, as a mouth guard that doesn't cover the extent of an athlete's teeth line is a bad choice. Mouth guards need to stay in place during all of the dynamic moments in a BJJ match, and common sense would say it needs to be easy to clean, and be quite durable so it lasts for a long period.
THE BEST MOUTH GUARDS FOR BJJ
There are many different styles, and grades of mouth guards that athletes can choose from. The Venum Challenger mouth guard has to be one of the best guards going around. Even though it is small in stature, it is huge in protection. This mouth guard is a popular choice in competitive grappling, and this is due to the modern design which provides an uninhibited airflow, while still giving the athlete the maximum protection. The inside of the Venom Challenger has a gel frame that offers superb protection, while still giving the wearer the best comfort available. The double layered mouth guard offers an increased protection, while showcasing its soft, flexible and durable exterior, and interior.
The SISU 1.6 Aero Guard is revered by many high level BJJ competitors, as the best mouth guard ever made. The dental protection rating is extremely high, and even though it seems to be a thin mouth guard it excels in impact protection. The Aero Guard is up to 50% thinner than most mouth guards, which makes this mouth protection probably the most comfortable piece of equipment going around. The unique size factor means that it provides a complete protection against all kinds of impact, and trauma. The main benefit to buying this mouth guard is how well it fits, as it can be custom molded to fit any sized mouth. There are no problems talking, or breathing while wearing this bad boy, as the hygiene with this mouth guard is first class, making it one of the first choices in mouth protection.
The Shock Doctor has produced arguably some of the best mouth guards in the world. The Shock Doctor Pro is a mouth guard that is suitable for adults, and kids alike. This lightweight, and double layered mouth guard offers unique protection of the oral cavity. The best aspect of this product is its ability to absorb significant impacts. The additional features allow significant padding for the jaw, meaning the athlete's mouth is protected from all sides. Another product that aligns with great craftsmanship is the Shock Doctor Gel Max mouth guard. This guard was among the first generations to feature gel technology. The gel fit system means athletes will never have to bite down, instead the mouth guard stays completely contoured to their mouth, making it easier to breathe. One of its original features is the exoskeletal frame, which is a heavy duty rubber frame that offers athletes the best protection for their teeth. This mouth guard has a reusable molding system, meaning it can be re boiled as many times as needed for the perfect fit.
The Pro Defenda mouth guard is a little gem that goes under the radar, as the company is small compared to other companies. The simple design has only two main colors black or white, and even though it may falter in terms of design style, it more than makes up for it with mouth protection. This guard has an extremely thick exterior, making the durability, and protection par on par. In addition to the Pro Defenda's substantial protection, its air flow technology is ahead of its time. It has a built in air flow device at the back, which allows for air to circulate easily, making it extremely easy to breathe. The Pro Defenda is a great choice of mouth guard for the brand new novice, or the most seasoned competitor.
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CUSTOM BJJ MOUTHGUARD
For those seeking enhanced comfort and protection, a custom BJJ mouthguard is the ultimate choice. These mouthguards are tailored to fit the exact contours of an individual's mouth, ensuring a snug fit and optimal protection. With a custom BJJ mouthguard, practitioners can focus entirely on their technique and strategies without being distracted by an ill-fitting mouthpiece. They offer superior protection, reducing the risk of cuts, bruises, and other oral injuries. Moreover, many athletes find custom options to be more comfortable and less obstructive, fostering better breathing and communication during intense sessions. Investing in a personalized mouthguard underscores a commitment to safety and performance in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
HOW TO GET CUSTOM MOUTH GUARDS MADE
Custom made mouth guards are essentially the best way that an athlete can get the perfect fit. Most dental practices offer custom made mouth guards to their customers. To fabricate a mouth guard, a dentist will take impressions of an athlete's teeth. This can be achieved digitally with an intra oral 3D scanner, or with the old school way of teeth molds, which are filled with a resin impression material. This will help the dental laboratory to create a mouth guard that has an exact fit for the athlete, as it matches their teeth and the line of their gum. There are three types of custom made mouth guards, the first is a single layer mouth guard, which is the best for young kids 12 and under, and this is because their teeth are still in the development phase. The single layer is perfect for helping children get used to wearing a mouth guard, without the restrictions of a thicker guard. The single layer is more flexible, which makes the mouth guard less of a hindrance to the wearer.
The dual layer mouth guard is highly recommended for contact sports that have an intermediate physical contact. It is suitable for usage by children above the age of 12 years, and adults. The double thickness makes this mouth guard more durable, which will help athletes when they are competing against other combat athletes. The dual layer mouthguard with a hard insert is the mouth guard needed for all serious competitive athletes. This mouth guard is used in high impact sporting activities, including combat sports like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Mixed Martial Arts. This specifically designed mouth guard has shock absorption, which will help with extra teeth and jaw protection.
There are many benefits of having a custom made mouth guard, as a dentist will always secure a better fit than an over the counter mouth guard. The custom made mouth guard is made in a dental laboratory using the impressions of an athlete's teeth. This means the dental technician will specifically design the guard to mold to the athlete's teeth, jaw and their gum line. A perfect fit will always result in the athlete having a greater sense of comfort, while wearing the mouth guard. This also means that a properly fitted mouth guard will always be worn during combat sports activities, which will lead to the best possible protection. There are other benefits like the style, as the dentist can customise the mouth guard to a range of different colours, and even mix match the colour scheme. Other specifics like placing initials, numbers, logos, or images are also available on a fully customised mouth guard. All in all an athlete can't go wrong with a custom made mouth guard, as all dental technicians will use their expertise to ensure the comfort, durability, and protection their mouth guards will provide.
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BJJ GUM SHIELD
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a BJJ gum shield is a fundamental piece of equipment that every practitioner should consider. It plays a crucial role in protecting the teeth, gums, and jaw during the intense rolls and spars. A BJJ gum shield is designed to absorb and disperse the impact, reducing the risk of oral injuries. They’re made from durable, comfortable materials that can withstand the pressures of grappling. Choosing a gum shield that fits perfectly ensures that communication isn’t hindered and breathing remains unrestricted, allowing for optimal performance on the mat.
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