Is a mouthguard a necessary part of your gear or is it just a cumbersome piece that distracts you and does no good whatsoever? This kind of debate has been raging in the world of combat sports for as long as the notion of safety became part of the daily discourse.
The truth is when you’re involved in a sport like BJJ or Judo where there’s a chance you get your teeth knocked out, then a mouthguard is essential. Consider the times you’ve been rolling with nothing standing between the mat or your opponent’s knee and your teeth but your lips. That will make you think that a mouthguard is more than an accessory.
If that’s not enough to convince you of the importance of the mouthguard and settles that debate, this article delves deep into this topic, discusses the various opinions regarding this crucial subject, and also sheds light on the types of mouthguards and how to take care of it.
To Mouth-guard or not to Mouth-guard
When it comes to mouthguards, the experts differ and offer a wide variety of opinions. What’s more surprising is that the policies and regulations regarding mouthguards vary from one academy to the next and even from one teacher to the next inside the same academy.
Some teachers would make it a requirement that all students should wear a mouthguard before they start the class. Others take a more lenient approach and make it a personal choice of every student. So what gives? It’s simple really. Not all BJJ practitioners are serious about the practice enough to worry about their teeth. So unless you have an MMA background and you’ve had your fair share of sparring, you wouldn’t value a mouthguard crowding your mouth area.
Another issue has to do with individual differences. While some people plug in the mouthguard and immediately forget about it, other players have plenty of trouble with the accessory. So much so that some players find it hard to breathe. Others cannot open their mouths to talk without having the mouthguard slip out and fall. It’s a nuisance, to say the least.
Due to all these problems, many teachers prefer to give the students the freedom to choose whether to put on a mouthguard or not. The logic of their thinking is that as the students get serious about their training, they will decide for themselves whether a mouthguard is necessary for them or not. But as you’ll notice, every BJJ champ tends to use a mouthguard whether they’re training, teaching, or competing.
The Need for Mouthguards
The question must have crossed your mind before. Why is it that BJJ champs and even practitioners who walk around with belts of all colors except white are so anxious to wear a mouthguard? It’s not an accessory and it doesn’t make them look cool. It’s hidden inside their mouths. So why do they do it? It’s not for appearances, that’s for sure.
Mouthguards serve a more practical purpose than making your teeth bulge. They cushion any impact your teeth might have when you roll. Rolling in BJJ is by far the most hazardous situation you can get yourself into as far as your teeth are concerned. Anything could happen. You fall on your face with the full weight of your opponent’s body on top crushing your incisors.
A wild elbow or a stray knee could make contact with your mouth and dislodge a few teeth. I mean anything could go wrong. Another risk is if you roll hard or you roll with an overexcited and inexperienced player. Just think of your face crashing on the floor. The last thing you’d want is a few teeth coming out of your mouth.
Another issue that’s particular to grappling sports such as BJJ and Judo is the famous jaw clenching. One just can’t help it. You grab your opponent’s Gi by the lapels and pull them hard. While doing that your jaws automatically clench hard. Does that affect your teeth? You bet. If you have brittle teeth, then grinding your teeth or clenching your jaws will not help.
And a mouthguard is there to prevent that from happening. It protects the teeth from impact, falls, and flailing limbs. And it protects your jaws from clamping hard and subjecting your poor teeth to excruciating pain.
Types of Mouthguards
Now that we have established the need for mouthguards, the question is which type of mouthguard would work for you and give you the kind of protection you’re looking for. In general, there are three types of mouthguards. You have stock mouthguards, boil and bite mouthguards, and customized mouthguards. Let’s go through them in more detail.
Stock mouthguards are the most common types. As the name implies they are sold as is and can be found in any drugstore. They come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. You slip them over your teeth and they cover the top teeth. Stock mouthguards are cheap and are easy to replace. However, the downside is, they don’t fit just about inside every mouth. The lack of different sizes limits their usefulness. You might find it hard to talk with a stock mouthguard in your mouth.
Boil and bite mouthguards are exactly what the name tells you. They come in one size but can be customized to fit just about any mouth as long as it’s in human form. When you buy one, take it home and drop it in a pot full of boiling water. The heat softens the material and makes the mouthguard malleable. Now slip it inside your mouth and bite your teeth on it. It will set and take the shape and size of your jaws and teeth. From here on out, you have a mouthguard tailored specifically for your mouth. Boil and bite mouthguards are also cheap and can be found everywhere from sports goods to drugstores.
Custom-made mouthguards are a little more expensive and have to be designed by your dentist. You pay your dentist a visit, they take your measures, and put an order for a mouthguard that fits your mouth like a glove. As you might expect this custom-made mouthguard will cost you a pretty penny. But on the upside, it’s made of better material and has better quality than your average boil and bite mouthguard. Also, it comes with a warranty, so if you have issues with it, your dentist will help you sort them out.
How to Care for your Mouthguard?
Just as you’d take precautions when putting on your eye contacts, a mouthguard needs plenty of care to prevent infections and help you maintain your oral hygiene. So to get the most out of your mouthguard regardless of its type and protect your mouth, you should follow the following tips.
- Always wash your mouthguard before and after you use it. Use cool water to rinse it thoroughly. Hot water can change its shape.
- Brush your teeth regularly and floss your teeth. The mouthguard can act as a farm for the bacteria already in your mouth.
- Brush the mouthguard with a toothbrush and toothpaste for better cleanliness.
- Check your mouthguard regularly for defects, cracks, or holes. If it’s a cheap one, then the material wouldn’t be good and it would need to be replaced regularly.
- Whether you’re using a custom-made or other types of mouthguards, always bring it with you to the dentist appointment to make sure the mouthguard is still in a good condition.
- After each use, store the mouthguard in a hard container and let it air for a while to prevent bacteria growth and infections.
- Don’t let your mouthguard fall in the hands of children or be accessible to pets. Not only will they damage it but might cover it with bacteria as well.
Another point to consider is that no matter how expensive a mouthguard is, it will not last forever. The more you use it, the more likely it will deteriorate over time. So don’t neglect to replace it when you see holes or cracks. It might save your teeth and keep your pearly whites intact.
Mouthguards and Braces
One other issue with mouthguards before we wrap up is the often asked question about braces and mouthguards. Can you wear a mouthguard when you have braces? Many new players who have braces wonder if they should wear a mouthguard as well or not.
The answer is yes you need to wear a mouthguard over your braces. Braces alone are not protection for your teeth. In fact, your teeth might be more vulnerable with braces around them. So you need to put on a mouthguard. But which type?
Since you have the braces taking up space in your mouth, a stock mouthguard most certainly wouldn’t fit. The same applies to a boil and bite mouthguard. Your braces will make the mouthguard unwearable. So the best option is to go to the dentist and ask them to have a mouthguard custom-made for you. At least that way you ensure you get a good quality one to protect your jaws and teeth.