When you're just starting out with boxing, your trainer will quickly tell you that you should buy a mouthguard. But why is that?
In this article you'll learn what a mouthguard is for in boxing, what to look for when buying a mouthguard and how to mould it to your teeth.
Why is a mouthguard important in boxing?
Mouthguards drastically reduce the risk of dental injuries and injuries to the lips and tongue.
The shock-absorbing material distributes the impact of punches evenly across your teeth and jaw, reducing the force.
In addition, the mouthguard covers your teeth, so you have a protective layer between your teeth and your lips, tongue and cheeks. This significantly reduces the risk of cuts and other injuries.
If you box without a mouthguard, you increase the risk of:
- Cuts to lips or cheeks
- Broken teeth
- Damage to fillings or tooth enamel
- Bruising or fractures to the jaw
So it's important that you always wear a mouthguard when boxing to avoid accidents.
What should you look for when buying a mouthguard?
First of all, it's important to know that all the mouthguards we sell are suitable for boxing. However, where most people go wrong is that they don't pay attention to which age category the mouthguard they order falls into.
Mouthguards for boxing come in two sizes:
- Children's mouthguards: These are suitable for children up to 11 years.
- Adult mouthguards: These are suitable from 11 years upwards.
Looking for a children's mouthguard? Click on the link to view children's mouthguards.
Need an adult mouthguard? Click on the link to view all adult mouthguards.
Regardless of the size, feel free to choose any mouthguard you like. All the mouthguards we sell meet the safety requirements and are suitable for wearing whilst boxing.
How do you mould a mouthguard so it fits perfectly?
You can't use a boxing mouthguard straight away. You must first mould it to your teeth. When you buy a mouthguard, you'll always receive instructions to help you mould your mouthguard. Always read the instructions carefully with the steps for your specific mouthguard.
The general steps are as follows:
- Boil water.
- Pour the water into a glass/cup and wait 20-30 seconds before the next step.
- Your mouthguard can now go into the water to soak. How long this should take depends on the manufacturer and model of your mouthguard. Therefore, always read the instructions carefully before carrying out this step.
- Carefully remove your mouthguard from the water with a fork (careful, it's hot) and let it cool briefly.
- Place the mouthguard in your mouth and press it against your teeth with your fingers. If the mouthguard is still too hot, remove it from your mouth immediately to avoid burns.
- Bite down on your mouthguard and at the same time suck it tight so that it sits snugly around your teeth. Do this for 20-30 seconds.
- Remove the mouthguard from your mouth and cool it in cold water for 20-30 seconds.
If the mouthguard doesn't fit properly, you can repeat the steps until it does. Make sure you keep hot water away from children and follow the steps carefully to avoid accidents.
Do you need a mouthguard or is your old mouthguard ready for replacement?
View all our boxing mouthguards here.