Mouthguards for Combat & Contact Sports
A mouthguard is an essential piece of protective equipment in many combat and contact sports. In boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA, it helps protect the teeth and mouth from direct impacts. A properly fitted mouthguard is also important in contact sports such as rugby, American football, ice hockey and lacrosse.
Whenever physical contact, collisions or impacts to the mouth and jaw can occur, a well-fitting sports mouthguard can help reduce the risk of injuries to the teeth and soft tissues inside the mouth.
At Vikingstore, you'll find mouthguards for combat and contact sports in different sizes, materials and designs – suitable for training, sparring and, depending on the relevant regulations, competition.
Simply wearing a mouthguard isn't enough. It needs to be properly fitted, secure and suitable for your sport.
Why Wear a Mouthguard for Combat and Contact Sports?
The primary purpose of a mouthguard is to protect the teeth, mouth and jaw area from injury.
In boxing and other combat sports, direct strikes can land on the mouth or jaw. In rugby and American football, impacts can occur during tackles and collisions. Ice hockey also involves fast movement and physical contact that can expose the mouth and teeth to impact.
A sports mouthguard creates a cushioning layer over the teeth and reduces direct contact between the upper and lower teeth. It can also help reduce injuries caused when the lips or cheeks are pressed against the teeth.
A mouthguard does not make combat or contact sports injury-free and should not be considered reliable protection against concussion.
Which Sports Are Mouthguards Suitable For?
Depending on the model and manufacturer's intended use, sports mouthguards can be used for a wide range of combat, contact and team sports, including:
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
- Muay Thai
- MMA
- Karate and other martial arts
- Rugby
- American football
- Ice hockey
- Lacrosse
- Other contact and team sports
The appropriate type of mouthguard depends on the sport, age category and applicable rules or regulations.
Mouthguards for Boxing
In boxing, a mouthguard is one of the key pieces of personal protective equipment. Even during controlled sparring, punches can land around the mouth and jaw.
Together with suitable boxing gloves, correctly fitted boxing hand wraps and inner gloves and, depending on the type of training, suitable boxing headgear, a mouthguard forms part of a properly selected set of protective equipment.
Your mouthguard should be correctly fitted and securely in place before sparring begins. If you constantly need to hold it in position with your tongue or by clenching your teeth, the fit is not right.
Mouthguards for Muay Thai and Kickboxing
A mouthguard is also an important part of your protective equipment for Muay Thai and kickboxing.
Because these sports involve different striking techniques, impacts can come from a variety of angles. Your mouthguard should therefore remain securely in position during movement, combinations and heavy breathing.
Depending on the training session, additional protective equipment may include headgear, shin guards and groin protection.
The equipment required for sparring or competition depends on the sport and the applicable regulations.
Mouthguards for Rugby and American Football
Sports mouthguards aren't only for fighters. Rugby and American football both involve physical contact, tackles and collisions where the teeth and mouth can be exposed to impact.
A secure fit is especially important. Your mouthguard should remain in position while running and during physical exertion without constantly needing to be adjusted.
For official games and competitions, always check the rules of the relevant league, federation or organiser before choosing a particular mouthguard.
Mouthguards for Ice Hockey
A sports mouthguard can also help protect the teeth and mouth when playing ice hockey.
With high speeds, physical contact and potential collisions, the mouthguard needs to remain securely in place and work comfortably with the rest of your protective equipment.
For children and teenagers, the fit should be checked regularly because the teeth and jaw continue to change as they grow.
How Do I Choose the Right Mouthguard?
Don't choose a mouthguard based on colour or design alone. More important factors include:
- correct size;
- secure fit;
- suitable material and thickness;
- adjustability;
- intended sport and use;
- comfortable feel;
- minimal interference with breathing.
A thicker mouthguard isn't automatically a better mouthguard. What matters is that it fits your teeth correctly, suits your sport and stays securely in place during activity.
What Is a Boil-and-Bite Mouthguard?
Many sports mouthguards use the boil-and-bite fitting system.
Following the manufacturer's instructions, the mouthguard is heated so that the thermoplastic material becomes mouldable. It can then be shaped more closely around your teeth.
The required water temperature, heating time and fitting procedure vary between manufacturers and models. Always follow the instructions supplied with your mouthguard.
Overheating can damage the material or distort the shape of the mouthguard.
How Should a Mouthguard Fit?
A correctly fitted mouthguard should stay securely on your teeth without requiring you to constantly clench your jaw to keep it in position.
After fitting your mouthguard, check:
- Does it remain securely in place?
- Does it immediately fall loose when you slightly open your mouth?
- Can you breathe comfortably?
- Are there uncomfortable pressure points?
- Are there sharp or irritating edges?
- Does it stay in place when you move?
A new mouthguard may feel unfamiliar at first. However, getting used to a poorly fitting mouthguard will not make the fit better.
Can You Breathe Properly with a Mouthguard?
Many athletes initially find wearing a mouthguard unfamiliar, particularly when using one for the first time.
For this reason, don't wait until your first sparring session, game or competition to wear it. Use your mouthguard during suitable training sessions so you can gradually become accustomed to breathing and communicating while wearing it.
A properly fitted mouthguard should not make breathing unnecessarily difficult.
If you consistently have significant difficulty breathing or the mouthguard repeatedly comes loose, check the fit.
Mouthguards for Children and Teenagers
Children and teenagers require particular attention because their teeth and jaws continue to develop as they grow.
The fit should therefore be checked regularly. A mouthguard that fits correctly today may become too small or unsuitable as the teeth and jaw change.
This applies to young boxers and martial artists as well as children and teenagers playing rugby, American football, ice hockey and other contact sports.
Changing teeth, braces and orthodontic treatment can also affect which type of mouthguard is suitable.
What Mouthguard Can I Wear with Braces?
Not every sports mouthguard is suitable for braces.
Fixed braces change the amount of space required and the way a mouthguard needs to fit. Tooth positions can also change throughout orthodontic treatment.
If you wear braces, choose a mouthguard specifically designed for this purpose and follow the advice of your dentist or orthodontist.
How Do I Clean a Mouthguard?
Because a mouthguard is worn directly inside the mouth, it should be cleaned after every use and allowed to dry completely.
Always follow the manufacturer's specific care instructions.
As a general routine:
- rinse the mouthguard after use with suitable water;
- clean it gently with a soft toothbrush if required;
- only use cleaning products suitable for the material;
- allow it to dry completely;
- store it in its case once dry.
Avoid aggressive cleaning products and unnecessary exposure to high temperatures. Excessive heat can cause thermoplastic boil-and-bite mouthguards to lose their fitted shape.
Why Should You Store a Mouthguard in a Case?
A mouthguard case helps protect your mouthguard from dirt and damage while it's in your sports bag.
After cleaning, however, allow the mouthguard to dry properly before storing it. The case itself should also be cleaned regularly.
Leaving a damp mouthguard loose in your sports bag alongside used boxing gloves, training clothes and other equipment is not a good storage solution.
Can You Share a Mouthguard?
No. A mouthguard is a personal hygiene product and should not be shared with training partners, teammates or anyone else.
This applies even if the mouthguard is cleaned afterwards.
Every athlete should use their own mouthguard.
When Should You Replace a Mouthguard?
Check your mouthguard regularly for signs of wear and damage.
Consider replacing it if:
- the material is torn or damaged;
- deep bite marks have weakened the material;
- sharp or uncomfortable edges have developed;
- it no longer fits securely;
- your tooth position has changed;
- it repeatedly comes loose during sport;
- the material is clearly worn.
For children and teenagers, the fit should be checked particularly regularly because of growth and changes to the teeth and jaw.
Mouthguards for Training, Sparring and Competition
Whether a mouthguard is required – and which type is permitted – depends on the sport, federation, age category and competition rules.
This applies to combat sports as well as contact and team sports.
A mouthguard that works well for everyday training is not automatically approved for every official event. If you're buying one specifically for competition or official games, check the relevant regulations first.
What Other Protective Equipment Do I Need for Combat Sports?
A mouthguard protects a specific area of the body and does not replace other protective equipment required for your sport or training session.
Depending on your sport and type of training, equipment may include headgear, boxing gloves, boxing hand wraps and inner gloves, shin guards, groin protection or body protection.
Always choose your protective equipment according to your sport, training session and applicable regulations.
Buy Mouthguards in Switzerland
At Vikingstore, you'll find mouthguards for boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA and other contact and team sports, including rugby, American football and ice hockey.
Whether you're looking for a mouthguard for combat sports training, sparring or another contact sport, focus on the correct size, secure fit and suitability for your intended use.
Order your mouthguard conveniently online from Vikingstore in Switzerland with delivery across Switzerland, or visit our Vikingstore shops in Bern and St. Gallen for personal advice.
Our team can help you choose a mouthguard that suits your sport and intended use.
Vikingstore – your Swiss shop for combat sports equipment, protective gear and mouthguards for combat and contact sports.
