Do You Need a Mouthguard for Jiu-Jitsu?

Mouthguards are a reliable piece of protective equipment in contact sports. Despite that, they are surprisingly absent in jiu-jitsu.

Mouthguards are not often required for jiu-jitsu but wearing one can be a wise choice. There are plenty of opportunities during jiu-jitsu training that you could receive an accidental blow to the mouth. A mouthguard will serve you well in those situations, but some are better to wear for jiu-jitsu than others.

Let’s look at a few of the top reasons why you should wear a mouthguard for jiu-jitsu. Once we do, we’ll also briefly cover the best types of mouthguards for jiu-jitsu and how to fit one to your teeth.

Why You Should Wear a Mouthguard for Jiu-Jitsu

Many jiu-jitsu practitioners choose not to wear a mouthguard when they train and compete. However, those practitioners are leaving themselves more vulnerable to several potential injuries. If you are someone who has never considered wearing a mouthguard for their training, here are three strong reasons in favor of doing so.

Mouthguards Protect Your Teeth and Gums

Mouthguards are an essential line of defense for your teeth and gums. They act as a protective layer that minimizes damage and the risk of injury any time you receive a strike to the face.

Although jiu-jitsu does not focus on strikes, accidental blows are incredibly common. During an intense sparring session, it is easy for a practitioner to lose awareness of their limbs and hit their training partner inadvertently.

The anatomy of your face is comparatively sensitive compared to other parts of your body, which is even more reason to protect it. Without a mouthguard, a strike to the mouth is far more likely to result in an injury, even when that strike is unintentional.

Common Mouth Injuries that Can Occur in Jiu-Jitsu

Regardless of whether you are training jiu-jitsu, or doing any other activity, getting hit in the mouth can cause one or more injuries. Here are some of the most common mouth injuries that mouthguards can help prevent:

• Fractured teeth

• Displaced teeth

• Knocked-out teeth

• Cuts and abrasions to the gums and tongue

The mouth injuries prevalent in jiu-jitsu are often mild and require little to no medical attention. However, other mouth injuries can be far more serious, resulting in significant pain and considerable dental bills. But those outcomes are far less likely when you wear a mouthguard. 

Mouthguards Can Help Prevent Concussions

Occasionally, the accidental impacts that occur in jiu-jitsu can cause concussions. While some people are surprised to find that such head injuries occur in grappling, they are more widespread than you might expect.

Wearing a mouthguard may not be enough to prevent concussions in all cases, but they can help to a degree. Mouthguards do not just protect your teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth, but they also help absorb the force of a blow to the head.

Mouthguards serve as a barrier between your upper and lower jaw. If your lower jaw receives a strike, it often clatters against your upper jaw, causing the force to radiate through the rest of your skull. When that force is large enough, it leads to a concussion. A mouthguard lessens those odds by absorbing some of the shock.

Concussions are a serious concern as they can have a drastic negative impact on your brain health and overall well-being. A mouthguard may not prevent most brain injuries, but it can offer some protection. Considering the severity of head trauma, any preventative measure you can take is worth considering.

Some Competitions May Require a Mouthguard

Our third reason to wear a mouthguard is that some competitions may require you to wear one. Mouthguard requirements are rare for adult jiu-jitsu competitions. Enforcement of those rules is even rarer. However, if you enter a competition that checks for mouthguards, it’s best to gain comfort wearing one beforehand.

What Types of Mouthguards Are Best for Jiu-Jitsu?

The reasons to wear a mouthguard are compelling, but not all mouthguards are as well-suited to jiu-jitsu as others. The best mouthguards for jiu-jitsu are single mouthguards that have a custom fit for your teeth. Single mouthguards cover your top set of teeth and allow you to breathe easily while you train.

Double mouthguards protect your top and bottom rows of teeth and are an excellent option for those with braces on both rows. However, the downside to these mouthguards is that they often lack airflow compared to single mouthguards, which may make it difficult to breathe during intense training sessions.

How to Fit a Mouthguard to Your Teeth

Many of the most popular mouthguards for jiu-jitsu require you to boil them first. Once you boil your mouthguard, it will be somewhat soft, which allows you to create a custom fit for your teeth. Instructions for boiling a mouthguard will vary based on the brand you buy, but here are the general steps:

• Boil water in a pot on your stove

• Drop your mouthguard in the boiling water

• Allow your mouthguard to remain submerged for about 30 seconds or more

• Remove the mouthguard from the water

• Put your mouthguard in your mouth while it is still soft

• Press the mouthguard against your teeth with your fingers

• Create suction with your mouth while wearing the mouthguard

• Remove the mouthguard after about a minute

• Allow the mouthguard to cool

After completing that process, you will have a mouthguard that fits the specific shape of your teeth. Proper fit ensures the greatest protection and makes it easier for your mouthguard to stay comfortably in place while you train.

Conclusion

Wearing a mouthguard for jiu-jitsu may not be necessary, but it is well worth doing. After all, it is better to wear a mouthguard as a regular habit than experience a mouth injury and regret not wearing one.