Do I Need a Mouthguard for BJJ?

The Short Answer

A mouthguard is recommended for BJJ, especially during sparring and competition. While not strictly required for training, it protects your teeth, jaw, and can even reduce concussion risk.

Why Wear a Mouthguard

Dental Protection

• Accidental knees, elbows, and heads happen
• A chipped or knocked-out tooth costs thousands to fix
• A mouthguard costs $5-100

Jaw Protection

• Reduces impact on your jaw joint
• Can prevent jaw dislocations
• Absorbs shock from impacts

Potential Concussion Reduction

• Some research suggests mouthguards reduce concussion severity
• The cushioning effect may help
• Not a guarantee, but an added layer of protection

When to Wear It

Definitely Wear For

• Competition (often required)
• Hard sparring sessions
• When rolling with new or unpredictable partners
• Takedown practice

Optional For

• Light drilling
• Positional sparring
• Flow rolling
• Technique instruction

Personal Preference

Many practitioners wear them all the time, others only for intense sessions. Find what works for you.

Types of Mouthguards

Boil-and-Bite ($5-30)

• Heat in water, bite down to mold
• Widely available at sports stores
• Decent protection for the price
• May need reshaping over time

Custom-Fitted ($100-400)

• Made by a dentist from molds of your teeth
• Best fit and protection
• Most comfortable
• Worth it if you train frequently

Stock Mouthguards ($2-10)

• One-size-fits-all
• Poor fit, minimal protection
• Better than nothing, but barely

How to Choose

For Beginners

Start with a quality boil-and-bite ($15-30 range):

• Shock Doctor
• SISU
• Venum

For Serious Practitioners

Consider custom:

• Gladiator
• Impact Mouthguards
• Your dentist

Key Features

• Good fit (stays in without clenching)
• Breathability (can breathe with it in)
• Thickness vs. comfort balance
• Single vs. double (most BJJ practitioners use single/upper)

Fitting a Boil-and-Bite

1. Boil water, remove from heat
2. Submerge mouthguard for specified time (usually 30-60 seconds)
3. Run under cool water briefly (so you don't burn yourself)
4. Insert and bite down firmly
5. Use tongue and fingers to mold around teeth
6. Submerge in cold water to set
7. Test fit and re-mold if needed

Common Complaints and Solutions

"It Makes Me Gag"

• Try a slimmer profile mouthguard
• SISU brand is popular for this
• Custom fit eliminates most gagging

"I Can't Breathe"

• Look for mouthguards with breathing channels
• Ensure it's not too thick
• Custom-fitted allows better breathing

"It Falls Out"

• Re-mold it more carefully
• May need a different size
• Consider custom if boil-and-bite won't stay

"I Can't Talk"

• You'll get used to it
• Some brands allow better speech
• You don't need to talk much while rolling anyway

Caring for Your Mouthguard

After Every Use

• Rinse with cool water
• Let air dry completely
• Store in a ventilated case

Weekly

• Clean with toothbrush and toothpaste
• Or use mouthguard cleaning spray

Replace When

• It becomes loose or ill-fitting
• Visible damage or wear
• Bad smell that won't go away
• After major dental work

The Cost Comparison

| Scenario | Cost | |----------|------| | Good mouthguard | $20-100 | | Dental visit (minor chip repair) | $200-500 | | Crown or root canal | $1,000-2,000 | | Tooth replacement | $3,000-5,000 |

The math is simple: wear the mouthguard.

For Competition

Most tournament organizations require mouthguards. Even if not required, you should wear one - competition intensity increases accident likelihood.

The Bottom Line

A mouthguard is cheap insurance for expensive teeth. Start with a decent boil-and-bite, upgrade to custom if you train seriously, and wear it whenever there's impact risk.

Your smile will thank you.