A mouthguard is a moulded piece of soft plastic worn over the upper teeth. Grappling has no strikes, but heads, knees and elbows meet faces constantly, and a mouthguard is the difference between a sore lip and a dental bill.
- In BJJ: common in training and standard in competition; some events require one.
- In judo: less common in training; check the current rulebook for competition.
- Protects teeth, lips and the inside of the cheeks; it does little for the jaw or the brain, whatever the packaging says.
Why wear one
The contacts that break teeth in grappling are accidental: a partner's head coming up as you drop into a guard pass, a knee during a scramble, a heel from a triangle escape. None of these can be trained away. A mouthguard also stops you biting your own lip or cheek when your jaw gets pushed during a choke or a cross-face.
Judo players tend to skip it because the standing game keeps faces apart and because talking through a mouthguard is awkward in a class built around calls. Judo groundwork carries the same risks as BJJ, so the habit is worth building.
What to look for
- Type: boil-and-bite guards fit most people well; a dentist-made custom guard fits better and lasts longer.
- Fit: it should stay in place with your mouth open, without clenching. Re-mould it if it drops.
- Thickness: thinner guards let you breathe and talk; thicker ones take more impact. Grapplers usually choose thinner than boxers do.
- Coverage: upper teeth only, reaching back to the molars without gagging you.
- Case: a vented case keeps it clean in your bag.
- Braces: there are guards made for braces; ask your orthodontist before fitting a standard one.
Care
Rinse it after every session, brush it with your toothbrush now and then, and keep it in its case. Replace it when it tears, when it stops fitting, or when it starts to smell no matter what you do. A mouthguard with a tooth-shaped dent is doing its job.
It belongs in the bag beside your belt. Our competition day essentials put the two together.
Related terms
Ear guards, Knee brace, Rolling / sparring, Gym bag, Contest.