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.
What types of mouth guards are there?
Since this dental accessory is used not only in boxing, you can find mouth guards for different sports on sale. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to make sure of the intended purpose of the product. Conventionally, protection for teeth can be divided according to several criteria.
By purpose
According to the purpose of the mouthguards there are:
- Designed to protect the teeth of the upper jaw.
- Designed for both jaws (equipped with a special hole through which the athlete can breathe).
By material
Thermoplastic mouth guard
There are three types of boxing mouth guards for teeth:
- Hard standard (for those with perfectly straight teeth).
- Thermoplastic.
- Rigid, made according to an individual cast.
The best and most affordable material is thermoplastic. Thermoplastic aligners soften under the influence of hot water and then quickly cool, “remembering” the shape of the teeth. The main thing is to choose a product that is suitable in size.
By size and thickness
Choosing the size of a mouthguard to protect your teeth and mouth must be very careful. In Moscow you can buy mouth guards of different sizes and thicknesses. A product that is the right size can be perfectly adjusted to fit your teeth; a size that is too large will not allow the item to stay in the mouth, and an accessory that is too small will cause discomfort and pain in the teeth.
It is better to give preference to mouthguards of medium thickness: a thick one will feel strongly in the mouth, and a thin one will not be able to provide the proper degree of protection for teeth and gums.
By color
There are mouthguards for adults and children, in different colors and with different tastes. The most popular protective accessories are mint flavored.
As a natural antiseptic, mint provides additional protection against bacteria, and as a natural deodorant, it provides a feeling of freshness.
Why Invisalign? Brand benefits
Invisalign has gained popularity among dentists around the world and their patients due to its effectiveness and discreet wearing. Main advantages of the brand:
Purpose of a protective mouth guard
It is necessary to wear a mouth guard for:
- Lip protection. Despite the fact that the product is designed to protect the dentition and jaw, its use also helps to protect the lips. It will not be possible to completely protect them from injury, but the number of lacerations will be significantly reduced.
- Exceptions for cerebral hemorrhage.
- Preventing damage to the trachea from dental fragments.
- Avoiding displacement of the cervical vertebrae.
- Reduce the likelihood of concussion.
Experienced boxers note that a mouthguard should also be used to relieve tension in the facial muscles.
This helps to quickly restore balance after missed hits. Children also need protection - you need to put a mouthguard on your child’s teeth both during training and before serious sparring. A novice athlete must know how to use a mouthguard and how it should fit. Only those parents whose children wear braces will need to seek professional help. It is extremely difficult to choose the right mouth guard for teeth with braces; it is better to consult a dentist.
Neutralization of bruxism
Bruxism affects up to 60% of children and about 12% of adults. But the data for adults is unreliable - who will record this phenomenon in lonely people in old age, when they are left alone? So the problem can be considered global; this condition occurs in people of all ages, genders and races, and regardless of their social status.
The load on the teeth during grinding with their gradual loosening, as well as the abrasion and crumbling of the enamel, can be neutralized by a mouthguard applied before bedtime.
How to choose a mouthguard for teeth
Having chosen a mouth guard of the optimal type and size, you should check it before purchasing for:
- gender conformity: women's mouthguards are not suitable for males and vice versa;
- age characteristics: it is better for a child to purchase specialized products;
- purpose: hockey protection accessories do not meet the requirements in boxing;
- absence of odor: if you have the slightest doubt about the quality of the material, you should not purchase the product.
For boxing, it is better to choose a mouthguard of a color that cannot be confused with blood. Referees and sports traumatologists recommend not to choose or wear red-colored items, as they interfere with the visual assessment of the fighter’s condition due to their resemblance to bleeding.
Overbite correction with Invisalign aligners
Specialists from all branches of our clinic offer their clients only those treatment options that have positive results and have been tested in leading dental centers in the world. Invisalign aligners are the optimal solution to bite problems.
This type of orthodontic structures appeared on the world market in 1999. More than 5 million patients have already learned to smile openly thanks to aligners from this brand, so there is no doubt about the effectiveness and safety of these products. Manufactured in the USA by Aling Technology.
How to properly prepare and cook a dental guard at home
Having realized the importance of the protective element and choosing a suitable copy from high-quality thermoplastic, all that remains is to prepare a mouthguard for boxing. After purchasing, you need to cook the burl, give it the desired shape and cool it. First you need to get rid of excess material at the edges by trying the mouthguard in your mouth and cutting off the excess, and then:
- Take a container (pan) of such volume that it is enough to freely place the product. Fill it with water.
- Place the container on the fire and wait for the liquid to boil.
- Using a tablespoon or slotted spoon, lower the mouth guard into boiling water and brew. When diving for the first time, you need to keep the product in water for no more than 30 seconds - this is the standard time during which thermoplastic softens. Some companies' products have special holders that can be used to immerse them in boiling water.
- Remove, wait until the temperature is tolerable: when the hot plastic becomes safe for the skin and mucous membranes.
- Insert the mouthguard into your mouth the way it should sit during the fight.
- Hold it tightly with both jaws, press with your tongue and hands, giving it an individual shape.
- Smooth out the outer free part of the material, leaning it against the gums, wait 15–20 seconds.
Less quality plastic requires longer exposure on the teeth - from 3 to 4 minutes. Characteristics are indicated in the instructions for use.
After unclenching the teeth, the product should remain on the upper jaw and sit quite tightly. Only in this case is it correctly fitted. But the preparation does not end there; it is completed by the most important stage - hardening. At home, cold water comes to the rescue. After pouring cooled boiled water into any container, you need to place the formed product in it and leave for 5-7 minutes or as long as necessary for hardening. During this time, the material will cool down and take the shape that will be most comfortable for the user.
Note! In many videos where they cook mouth guards, the characters in the videos try to drown the plastic in boiling water, holding it with various cutlery. There is no need to do this. To make a mouthguard correctly, you need to let it “free float”. Even without complete immersion, the material will heat up perfectly and become plastic.
You can see the process of cooking and fitting the mouthguard in all details in the following video:
How the mouthguard should sit: checking and re-cooking
There are always doubts whether it was possible to correctly fit the protective element to the teeth and whether it will be comfortable for the boxer. To check, you will have to wait until the product cools down after cooking and put it on your teeth. Correct fit will ensure:
- comfort, absence of pain, rubbing;
- tight fit: if displacement is noticed when opening the mouth or turning the head, you will have to re-cook the mouth guard and adjust it again;
- exact correspondence of the shape of the accessory to the shape of the dentition and jaw features.
An external inspection will not be superfluous. Before putting on a mouthguard, you need to check for tooth marks. If they are clear and deep, then the protection is prepared correctly.
If you didn’t succeed in making a mouth guard to fit your teeth the first time, you can brew it again. This should be done using the same technology: prepare a container with boiling water and cook the plastic in it. To get the expected result after failure, it is worth reviewing the instructions for use again. You may need to increase the cooking time by leaving the product to cook for a longer period.
Professional and expensive models
Professional mouth guards are made from high quality materials. They provide increased comfort and the best degree of protection for athletes. The plates are securely fixed on the teeth, do not fall off when speaking (swallowing), and do not impede breathing. They are made from hypoallergenic materials that are fully compatible with the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Most of them are odorless and tasteless, which allows you not to be distracted and fully concentrate on the fight (game).
Flamma iceman 2.0
Double-sided sports head with three-component protection. The gel layer adopts the individual structure of the owner’s teeth, and the rubber insert with acrylic pads reduces the intensity of impacts and distributes the load throughout the jaw. Equipped with breathing holes. Suitable for martial arts, hockey, polo, American football. It has a high degree of protection against chips, shocks, lacerations and hemorrhages. Suitable for adult athletes of any gender. The price is about 800 rubles.
Venum Challenger White Black
The standard plate consists of an inner gel layer that provides a comfortable fit on the teeth, and a durable outer rubber layer that protects the fighter's jaw and head from most possible injuries. A specially designed breathing system does not limit the flow of oxygen even under intense stress. Supplied in a special protective case. Designed for adult men and women. Price – about 1000 rubles.
Venum Predator Gray Black
Venum mouthguards are considered the best for professional MMA fights. Professional fighters took part in the development of the model, which made it possible to take into account all the needs of athletes and provide for their weak points. The plate is equipped with shock-absorbing pads that soften impacts and protect soft tissues. The shock wave is distributed in 2 stages, which helps protect bone tissue from chipping and destruction. The protection is intended for adult male fighters. Supplied with storage container. The average price in Russia is 1500-1700 rubles.
Everlast Evershield 2
Thermoforming jaw attachment, which is used in professional martial arts. After heat treatment, it completely follows the contours of the fighter’s teeth, which ensures maximum fit and the best protection during competitions. Equipped with a shock-absorbing cushion that can withstand even too strong impacts. It has no taste or odor and has breathing holes. Suitable for adult athletes of any gender. The average price varies between 1100-1200 rubles.
MoGo transparent fruit
Professional women's protective nozzle with a fruity aromatic layer, which is placed in the outer part of the material. The plate consists of two components: a soft gel that is securely fixed to the teeth on the inside and transparent, dense plastic on the outside. The model has a high degree of protection against concussions, hemorrhages and other maxillofacial injuries. The price is about 1800 rubles.
Shock Doctor Gel Nano
Thermoplastic professional mouthguard, which is suitable for all types of combat competitions. The double degree of protection ensures the safety of teeth and prevents the possibility of concussions and internal bleeding, even in violent sports. Fits well on the jaw and does not interfere with communication and free breathing. The inner layer is made of an adaptive component, which, under the influence of temperature, follows the shape of the owner’s teeth. Belongs to the average price category - 1100-1200 rubles.
How to put on and wear a dental guard, rules of use
To use a mouthguard for a long time and without problems, it is enough to follow simple rules of care and storage:
- prepare a well-ventilated container for it (self-respecting manufacturers supply it with the product);
- choose a storage location where direct sunlight cannot penetrate;
- use the accessory only for its intended purpose, do not gnaw or bite;
- do everything to keep the plastic clean: rinse, rinse with clean water, wipe with a lint-free cloth every time after wearing.
It is important to wear the mouth guard correctly. To do this, you need to open your mouth wide, stretching your lips to the sides, place the protection on your teeth and bite. You can use this product for no more than six months. On average, you can wear a boxing mouthguard for one season. It is not recommended to use it longer - you need to prepare a new one, as the degree of protection decreases. It will also not be possible to digest a mouth guard that has spent its allotted time, since the material will begin to crumble and deform. Manufacturers write in the instructions how long you can wear a mouth guard.
Making a dental guard yourself is easy. The main thing is to give preference to a manufacturer that has proven itself in the sports market, choose a product of the appropriate size and follow the instructions. With the right approach, a high-quality mouthguard fits perfectly and provides reliable protection.
Possible causes of bruxism
- Congenital or acquired defects of the jaw caused by colds, infectious diseases or injuries.
- Dental problems. Uncomfortable dentures and braces, unsuccessfully installed fillings made of poor quality material, incorrect bite. With the latter, a person unconsciously tries to put his teeth in the correct position, and since the process is not controlled, the chewing surfaces make a grinding sound.
- It is possible that there are worms in the body - the relationship with this is not obvious, but parasites always cause a deficiency of B vitamins, and their deficiency, in turn, affects problems with emotional stability.
- Psychological trauma or prolonged stress, psychosis, depression, which can cause spasm in the masticatory-jaw muscles.
If in children bruxism is most often caused by physiological reasons, then in adults it is caused by psychological ones.
In this regard, the opinions of psychoneurologists are interesting: according to them, during the day a person is distracted from his pathological state by many problems, but the muscles “remember” their usual work and as soon as peace sets in, the affective charge accumulated during the day is realized in attacks of bruxism.
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.
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
45.24%
Multilayer
54.76%
Voted: 42
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.
