A boxing mouthguard is a mandatory attribute for a fighter in the corresponding type of martial arts. The presented piece of equipment can absorb about 40% of the force of impacts, providing good protection for teeth. If an athlete does not have a mouth guard, then he is simply not allowed to participate in the fight. And this is due to the following properties of this element of equipment:
- Protecting teeth from chips that can get into the larynx and injure it;
- Protection of the oral cavity from cuts and wounds;
- Absorption of the impact force passing to the temporal part of the head from the jaw
Note that the mouthguard is used not only in martial arts, but also in some other sports disciplines, for example, in hockey and alpine skiing.
Choosing a mouthguard depending on age
There are models designed specifically for adults and for children. Features of choosing a mouthguard taking into account the age and physical characteristics of the athlete:
- Children's mouth guards are recommended for use in children under 10 years of age with a height of no more than 140 cm;
- For athletes who have reached the age of 11 or have a height of 140 cm, buy adult models.
If the mouth guard is too big, you can reduce it a little. Most adult models are adjusted to the individual parameters of the athlete - a child or an adult with a non-standard jaw. The mouthguard is trimmed to the required size and, if necessary, re-welded.
Features of alignment using a mouthguard
To straighten your teeth, you need to visit an orthodontist. The specialist will examine the oral cavity and tell you whether mouth guards can be used. If no contraindications are found, then a three-dimensional cast is made , and then a plaster model and several aligners are created, taking into account individual characteristics. In particularly difficult cases, the kit contains about 30 products.
At the next visit, the first tray is installed, and the rest are given to the patient. During the treatment process, a person replaces the structure every 2-3 weeks. In addition, it is recommended to visit a doctor every 1-1.5 months to monitor the alignment of your teeth.
The duration of treatment directly depends on the degree of deformation of the dentition. In the simplest cases, it will take only 2-4 months to correct the defects, and in complex situations, treatment will take 1-2 years.
Models
Manufacturers offer several options for mouth guards, differing in design, method of attachment and level of protection.
Unilateral
Such mouthguards are worn only on the upper jaw. This is quite enough to perform protective functions.
Pros:
- comfortable, do not cause discomfort;
- are securely held on the teeth (if subjected to proper cooking);
- allow you to speak during sparring.
It is the one-sided models that are recommended by most sports federations - boxing, karate, sambo, taekwondo and others. Athletes must wear a one-sided mouth guard when competing or they will be disqualified.
Double sided
These mouthguards provide even more protection than single-sided models. They are usually recommended to be worn during training and sparring. Double-sided models are worn on both jaws—upper and lower—providing protection for both rows of teeth.
Apart from a high level of protection, double-sided mouth guards have no other advantages, only disadvantages:
- they are not allowed to talk during sparring;
- you need to breathe through a special hole in the product.
Using two-way models requires certain skills - learning to breathe correctly and remain silent when you want to speak. It is extremely important to pay attention to these points when choosing and purchasing a mouth guard.
With strap
These are single-sided mouthguards with a fixing strap. It is located on the front of the product. The strap is needed to attach the mouthguard to external elements - for example, to a boxing, hockey, baseball or other helmet.
Models with straps are usually used by athletes who are at risk of swallowing a mouth guard? - hockey players, baseball players, etc.
For braces
Manufacturers have taken into account that among the athletes there may be braces wearers. For such cases, single- and double-sided mouthguards are produced. The first are intended for those who have braces on one jaw, the second - on two.
Mouth guards for athletes with braces, unlike regular ones, have a special groove designed for a tighter and more secure fit.
When a person wears braces, the position of his teeth gradually changes. The mouth guard should neither fix them in their original form nor interfere with their displacement.
Trays for braces are made from:
- Silicone. It does not cook and does not prevent teeth from moving.
- Hot melt plastic. Mouth guards made from this material need to be digested periodically.
The best manufacturers of mouth guards for boxing and MMA
There are many companies that make mouthguards for contact sports. But there are brands that are among the best, in any rating.
SHOCK DOCTOR
American brand Shock Doctor, a leader among manufacturers of protective equipment. They specialize in the production of boxing mouth guards from high-tech gel. Even inexpensive models have a three-layer construction.
Manufacturers claim that thanks to high technology, the mouthguard absorbs 40% of impact energy. That's why they produce models with low sides. The protector provides reliable protection to both jaws and does not interfere with conversation.
The manufacturer is so confident in its product that it guarantees compensation of up to 15 thousand dollars to anyone who loses a tooth while using the onlay.
VENUM
The company specializes in the production of protective equipment for professionals. The brand was founded in 2006. The central office is located in Brazil.
The founders of Venum know first-hand what it's like to miss a beat. The origins of the brand are Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters. The company was created specifically for the production of sports equipment.
Manufacturers Venum maintain close relationships with UFC stars. The best fighters of the Cell are involved in the development of new defense models.
OPRO
The English brand was founded in 1997. The company is a licensed partner of the UFC. This fact says a lot. You can trust such protection.
In addition, all OPRO models have an antibacterial coating. The package includes an antimicrobial box. In 2007, Opro received the Queen's Award for Innovation in Oral Protection.
EVERLAST
The brand was founded in 1910 in the USA. Specializes in the production of sportswear and protective equipment for martial arts.
The campaign's products are chosen by world-famous stars. Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and many other boxing geniuses performed in EVERLAST equipment.
Over a hundred years, the company has accumulated vast experience in the development of security elements and has its own patented technologies. For example, boxing gloves contain “EverGEL” - a special gel, the composition of which is kept secret. It protects your wrists by cushioning and dissipating impact energy. The same technologies are used in boxing mouth guards.
To make the famous brand available to the masses, production was moved to China. Affordable prices, plus modern technologies. Summarize and you will understand why Everlast mouthguards are known in all boxing schools.
Material
Mouthguards are made from special materials that meet their functionality and safety requirements. They are most often made from silicone, POE thermoplastic, or latex. These materials are safe for health and are widely used in various martial arts.
All materials used for dental onlays are divided into cast (non-thermoplastic) and thermoplastic. Thermoplastic protectors - dental protectors - are classified into a separate group.
Cast
These mouthguards are completely ready for use. All you have to do is take them out of the box and put them on your jaw. This is a convenient but not practical option.
It is extremely difficult to choose a ready-made molded mouth guard that would exactly fit a specific jaw. If the guard does not fit tightly on the teeth, it will not provide adequate protection during combat.
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic mouth guards are semi-finished products from which a mouth guard is yet to be made. The purchased product is heated and placed on the teeth. As the plate cools, it takes on the exact contours of the jaw. Thanks to anatomical precision, thermoplastic pads reliably protect the athlete.
Dental
They are made from individual impressions taken from the athlete’s lower and upper jaw. How to make a dental mouth guard:
- Contact a sports dentist.
- Make a plaster cast of him.
- Receive a custom mouth guard, pressed using special equipment.
The disadvantage of such a mouth guard is its high cost. Such services and products are not cheap. But you can order a product with an individual design - choose any color, make a drawing or inscription. In this way, pros often emphasize their style and extravagance.
Overlay thickness
The thickness of the mouth guard is affected by the number of layers. Manufacturers offer single-layer and multi-layer models, differing in the level of protection and other parameters.
Single layer
Single layer plates provide single protection. When choosing such a mouthguard, pay attention to the front (outer) wall - it should be high enough. The protection of the gums and the redistribution of the impact load - the transfer of a certain part of the impact from the teeth to the gums and palate - depend on the height of the side.
Multilayer
Most boxers choose a two-layer mouthguard - it creates double protection. Its outer layer is tougher than the inner one. It is made of rubber. Its function is to absorb and dissipate impact force.
The second layer - the inner one - is much softer than the outer one. It is made of gel and exactly follows the shape of the teeth and jaw. The purpose of the inner layer is to absorb shock.
There are manufacturers offering three-layer models. The structure is reinforced with special inserts for the outer layer. The inner layer has shock-absorbing inserts.
What mouth guard are you using?
Single layer
50%
Multilayer
50%
Voted: 38
Color
The color of the mouthguard is not regulated by sports organizations. Manufacturers produce a variety of options. Not only models of different colors are sold - there are mouth guards with drawings and inscriptions.
Manufacturers offer products with various flavor interpretations, with mint flavor being the most popular. This plant is an antiseptic; it not only serves as protection against pathogenic bacteria, but also freshens breath.
Coaches recommend that their players choose mouthguards of light colors, without any smell or taste, so that they do not remind anyone of their presence and do not distract the athletes during a fight or game.
What other requirements apply to good mouthguards?
- color. Oddly enough, it matters here. The main thing is that it is light and not red. All this is done so that dangerous damage can be noticed in time;
- absence of smell, taste, aroma, etc. These characteristics must be at an absolutely zero level, because over time they begin to irritate the owner, or even cause allergic reactions;
- The pad should not be felt in your mouth at all. Indeed: good mouth guards do not cause any pain, do not cause discomfort, do not interfere with speaking, breathing, or hinder movements;
- You should choose a rubber according to the sport you are playing. Wrestling mouthguards will be uncomfortable for hockey players and vice versa. Mouthguards differ even by gender: male and female.
Price
The cost of mouth guards varies widely. You can find a cheap plastic product for 200 rubles, and there are models made using innovative technologies that cost several thousand rubles.
Examples of prices for mouthguards:
- plastic flavored mouth guard MoGo - 990 rubles;
- PAFFEN SPORT thermoplastic mouth guard with mint flavor — RUB 1,390;
- transparent Fight Empire MG-10 mouth guard made of thermoplastic silicone (needs to be “cooked”) - 230 rubles;
- multi-layer mouth guard Venum Predator Mouthguard Black / White made of high-density rubber alloy - RUB 1,572;
- two-layer silicone mouthguard Fight Empire — 534 rub.
Brand
When choosing, you should focus on manufacturers and the specialization of their products. Among the most famous brands are Shock doctor, Khan, Everlast, Century, each of which provides high-quality products made in different price categories. The most popular model is Shock doctor Gel Max 61, made of special Exoskeletal Shock Frame rubber and equipped with Gel-Fit silicone inserts. The company also produces excellent inexpensive options that are suitable for a beginner, for example, Pro 5100A Sr.
Useful tips
When choosing a mouthguard, it is important to take into account as many nuances as possible in order to buy a product that best suits your individual characteristics and tasks. Tips for choosing a mouthguard:
- the product should adhere tightly to the teeth;
- make sure that the mouthguard does not interfere with your bite;
- the mouthguard should not interfere, create discomfort or cause a gag reflex - check this;
- the product should have a moderate thickness - do not buy a mouthguard that is too thick or too thin;
- the optimal thickness of the front side is 3-4 mm, from the side of the palate - 2 mm, from the bottom side - 3 mm;
- the product should not interfere with breathing during a conversation;
- sniff the product to see if there is an unpleasant odor.
Expert advice
Demchenko Vitaly Petrovich
boxing trainer, Moscow
Ask a Question
The mouth guard requires serious care; you should not put a dirty product in your mouth. After every workout, my players clean their mouth guards with a brush and toothpaste. This allows you to remove plaque that remains after contact with the teeth. Store mouthguards in special ventilated boxes (boxes). Otherwise, the products will acquire an unpleasant odor.
