Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned in this post, nor do we receive any commission on sales.
Today, we’re diving into an essential component of your BJJ kit: the mouth guard. In the high-intensity world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, safeguarding your teeth is paramount. Whether you’ve been training for years or just stepping onto the mats, the risk of accidental impacts during hard rolling sessions is ever-present. That’s where a reliable mouth guard comes into play, offering vital protection against potential dental injuries.
From the tried-and-tested boil-and-bite varieties to the precision-engineered custom-fitted guards, there’s a wide array of options to consider. Boil-and-bite mouth guards, readily available and affordable, offer a customizable fit by molding to the contours of your teeth after a simple heating process. On the other hand, custom-fitted mouth guards, while pricier, may provide better comfort and protection tailored precisely to your dental structure.
At Jiu Jitsu World, we are committed to testing and evaluating the best gear to ensure that we deliver valuable insights to the community, helping you make informed decisions about your equipment. Now, let’s dive in.
The Best Mouthguards for BJJ, at a Glance
Here are the highlights. You can find our criteria and more in-depth info about each mouth guard below.
- The Best Mouthguard for BJJ Overall: Sisu® Max Mouthguard, $30
- The Best Custom-Fit Mouthguard for BJJ: TruFIT Sports Mouthguard, $95
- The Best Mouthguard for BJJ Beginners: Sisu® 3D Custom Fit Mouthguard, $25
How We Chose the Best Mouthguard for BJJ
The main factors we considered while evaluating each mouthguard were the protection level, breathability, comfort, and material. Protection level has to come first because if the mouthguard doesn’t protect your teeth, then there’s really no point. When selecting a mouthguard for BJJ, it should be able to absorb blows of medium impact. You’re not going to be taking a left hook to the mouth, but elbows and knees slip all the time during hard rolling, so you may eat a few of those.
The next thing to look for in a mouthguard is breathability. When we are training lightly, we may be able to breathe mostly through our noses, but as the intensity level increases, we’re going to have to breathe through our mouths. It is essential that you can still breathe easily with your mouthguard in. Otherwise, you’re going to have to take it out when the intensity gets high, right when you really should be wearing it the most.
This leads right to our next criterion: comfort. Comfort accounts for multiple factors like bulkiness, the softness of the material, and the way the mouthguard fits. The last one is material. Many of the cheapest mouthguards may contain chemicals like BPA, BPS, Latex, PVC, or Phthalate, which you wouldn’t want sitting in your mouth for hours while you train.
Protection Level
The number one criterion for selecting a mouthguard is how well it does its job of protecting your teeth.
Breathability
The next feature we examined was how well you can still breathe while wearing the mouth guard.
Comfort
This criterion involves how bulky the mouthguard is, how well it sits in your mouth, and whether you can still talk.
Material
If it’s going to be sitting in your mouth for hours, you don’t want anything made with BPAs or other harmful plastics.
The Best Mouthguard for BJJ Overall: Sisu® Max Mouthguard
Sisu® Max Mouthguard
Method: Boil and Bite
Thickness: 2.4mm
Talk, Breathe, & Drink: Yes
This is our top overall choice for the best mouthguard for BJJ. It is fairly easy to fit, incredibly comfortable, and it allows you to breathe easily during the toughest rolls.
This is our top overall choice for the best mouthguard for BJJ. Based on our criteria of protection level, breathability, comfort, and materials, this emerged as the top choice. This mouthguard comes as a flat piece that you heat up and mold to your teeth. Additionally, you can remold it up to 20 times, it comes with a $50,000 limited dental warranty, and it is made from non-toxic materials.
The winning feature of this mouthguard is comfort. You can keep it in your mouth for your entire class, all while talking, drinking, and breathing freely. Then, once the live rounds start, you’ll already be acclimated to the feeling of it, and it won’t disrupt your roll at all. And, with a $30 price tag, it ends up in the top spot on our list.
The Best Custom-Fit Mouthguard for BJJ: TruFIT Sports Mouthguard
TruFIT Sports Mouthguard
Method: Custom Fit
Thickness: Unknown
Talk, Breathe, & Drink: Yes
Of all the custom mouthguard companies, TruFIT makes it incredibly simple to get fully custom mouthguards in the mail. Their mouthguards are also super comfortable with unique compression pad technology.
Nowadays, there are a million different mail-order companies offering custom mouthguards. This is the modern e-commerce version of when people used to go to their dentist to have molds taken. The funny part is that many of these modern companies have somehow made the process even more complicated and time-consuming than it used to be. However, one company has emerged to make the process of ordering a fully custom-fit mouthguard incredibly simple, and that company is TruFIT.
Once you place your order, they will send you the impression kit with easy instructions to follow at home. Then mail it back in the same box it came in, and they’ll get to work creating your custom mouthguard with 3D scanning and printing technology. The best part is they keep your scans on file so you can order replacement mouthguards and receive them super quickly.
The standout features of this mouthguard are the compression pads and the open back. The open back makes it flexible, easy to remove when you want to, and easier to breathe.
The Best Mouthguard for BJJ Beginners: Sisu® 3D Custom Fit Mouthguard
Sisu® 3D Custom Fit Mouthguard
Method: Boil and Bite
Thickness: 2.0mm
Talk, Breathe, & Drink: Yes
If you are newer to BJJ or to mouthguards, this is a perfect starting point. It’s very easy to fit to your mouth and very comfortable while still providing the necessary protection for rolling.
This is at the top of our list for beginners. The main reason: it’s easier to fit to your mouth than the Sisu® Max Guard, and it’s still a great option. It’s slightly thinner at only 2.0mm compared with 2.4mm on the Max, but this will be plenty of protection for pretty much everything you’ll encounter in BJJ.
Similar to other models from Sisu®, this model is incredibly comfortable, easy to breathe in, and you can even drink water without taking it out. Coming in 11 different color options, this is our top pick for best mouthguard for beginners of BJJ.
Think we missed a mouthguard from our list? Leave us a comment and we’ll include it in a future review!
COMMON MOUTHGUARD QUESTIONS
What is the best mouthguard for BJJ?
Our number one recommended mouthguard for BJJ is the Sisu® Max Mouthguard, which is available for $30.
How do I care for my mouthguard?
To maintain hygiene and extend the lifespan of your mouthguard, rinse it thoroughly with cold water before and after each use. Additionally, consider using a mild soap or mouthguard-specific cleaning solution to remove bacteria and debris. Store your mouthguard in a clean, ventilated container when not in use, and avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight, which can degrade its quality.
How often should I replace my mouthguard?
It’s generally recommended to replace your mouthguard every 6 to 12 months, depending on its condition and frequency of use. Over time, mouthguards can accumulate wear and tear, including cracks, tears, and deterioration of the material, which can compromise their effectiveness in providing adequate protection.
Do I need a custom mouthguard for BJJ?
While there are certain advantages to fully custom mouthguards, they are not necessary for most BJJ athletes. And with the advancements in mouthguard technology, there are now many options that allow you to fit them at home.
How do I know if my mouthguard fits properly?
A properly fitted mouthguard should snugly conform to the contours of your teeth and gums, making it challenging to remove with just your tongue. It should provide full coverage and a comfortable fit without causing discomfort or impeding your ability to breathe.
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