7 Best Mouthguards For MMA, Boxing, And Muay Thai (2023 Review)

In combat sports, it is inevitable that a fighter gets struck in the face. Therefore, it's important and required for fighters to have protection. If you're looking for the best mouthguards for fighters in Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, and Muay Thai, you're at the right article!

The importance of mouthguards is pretty much self-explanatory. Majority of MMA, Boxing, and Muay Thai strikes are to the head. Mouthguards helps you to protect yourself and reduce the risk of  injuries particularly in the jaw and oral area that includes your lips, teeth, and mouth in general.

In addition, even if you are just training, you are still at the risk of attaining such. Soft tissue injuries like ripped lips and gums can cause you to have difficulties eating, making you essentially not be able to train. And obviously, teeth cannot grow back once broken.

It is for these reasons that you see professional athletes wear mouthguards, even those of non-combat sports. As you’re searching for the mouthguards in any combat sports market, the number of brands to choose from might have overwhelmed you.

If you want to know the best mouthguards for fighters especially in MMA, boxing, and Muay Thai, then you have come to the right place! In the review, I will provide you a list of some of the best combat sports brands around and help you determine which one suits your preference.

Buyer's Guide

You may think that you can just buy mouthguards over-the-counter because it's just a small piece of equipment. However, it's a little more complex than that. You see, there are several factors to consider before buying a mouthguard for your MMA, Boxing or Muay Thai Training.

The ideal mouthguard should be properly fitted and adapted to the structure of your teeth. It should also be made up of a material that can absorb impact from punches or kicks. The following sections below explains these further.

Size

Ideally, to have the maximum amount of protection that you can get from a mouthguard, it must properly fit your set of teeth. That means that there should be no teeth exposed or not covered by the mouthguard. this is important because you don’t want the mouthguard moving around as you’re training.

Consequently, you would want it to adapt to the formation of your teeth. So it will lock in place perfectly, removing any risks that would contribute to oral injuries. Always refer to the size chart as you’re searching for the mouthguard that suits your preference.

Comfort

Mouthguards should be comfortable so that your mouth will not feel any strain while you are wearing it. It should be soft and flexible inside so your mouth will not feel like you are biting on concrete. This is important because if you can move your mouth, your breathing will not be restricted.

Consequently, the tendency of a mouthguard that doesn't suit you well is that it will put the muscles in your jaw unrelaxed, causing you to experience pain and sensation after you have used it. The best mouthguards for fighters are the ones that provides the maximum comfort!

Design and Construction

The overall design of the mouthguard is pretty much subjective. In brief, a mouthguard should be made up of durable material for it to resist tears. It should also be easy to clean and not restrict your speech. Furthermore, it should have high impact absorption for it to live up to its purpose of protecting your teeth.

There are fighters who prefer simple and plain designs, but choosing a mouthguard that has flashy and cool style, on top of those features mentioned above, would be excellent. 

There are two mouthguard types that you should know. Generally, you have to be aware of what type of mouthguard you are buying so you can decide better. The following are explained below:

• Custom-Fit Mouthguards - If you want the best mouthguards for fighters, then Custom Fit is what you might be looking for. They are made for you personally so these mouthguards offer the best protection possible for fighter engaged in any type of combat sports. Although they are more expensive, they provide far more fit and comfort for the user.
• Boil and Bite - These are the common mouthguards that can be bought on sports stores. Boil and Bite mouthguards are literal to its name. It is softened in boiling water, then molded through biting it down. It still offer a high level of protection. But most fighters select them because they are cheaper. The only problem with these is that they reshape when placed under pressure, soften when exposed to hot liquids, and then eventually solidifies after using it for some time.

The Best Mouthguards for Fighters (MMA, Boxing, and Muay Thai)

1. Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard

Let’s kick things off with one of the most recognizable mouthguard brands around the globe, the Shock Doctor. This company is not only the leading manufacturer of mouthguards but also other types of protective gear such as forearm pads, cups, supporters, elbow guards, compression wraps, etc.

One example of the best mouthguards that they offer is the Shock Doctor Gel Max. In fact, it is also one of their most popular mouthguards. A notable feature of this specific brand is its shape and molding, which perfectly fits in your mouth and prevents it from moving around or, worse, falling.

The Shock Doctor Gel Max features a heavy duty exoskeletal shock frame that ought to provide full mouth protection during hard impacts and blows. It secures the teeth in place while protecting your cheeks and tongue. 

It comes in two variances which are flavored or non-flavored. And it is also available in two sizes, adult or child. Lastly, they offer a wide range of color that suits your preference.

2. Shock Doctor Max Airflow Mouthguard

The Shock Doctor Max Airflow is another variance of Shock Doctor that I personally like. Aside from its amazing fitting, overall protection, and comfort level, the reason why I put them in this list is the airflow feature.

Sparring sessions are strenuous and taxing for the body. Usually, during intense workouts, you will end up gasping for air, especially if you do not have that much of a stamina. If you have used mouthguards before, you will know that you can't breath properly out of them, making it more difficult to catch your breath.

The shock doctor max airflow allows you to breath 10% more air with its well-designed breathability system. It relaxes the jaw and prevents the teeth from blocking the air channels. Having this would be a huge advantage!

In addition, it is excellent for combat sports because it also protects your lips, which would be hit often during sparring sessions, making this piece of mouthguard also ideal for fighters who are wearing braces.

3. Venum Predator Mouthguard

Venum is my favorite MMA brand. When I look for MMA gears, I specifically look for this brand first. What draws me to their products is the overall aesthetics and quality of apparel and MMA gears that they are manufacturing. I mean, their designs are just pleasing to look at.

And it is for these reasons that two of their top mouthguards have made this list. First, let’s talk about the Venum Predator Mouthguard. The initial reaction that you might have upon seeing them is the design. It has a fang-like design on the front similar to its cobra logo.

You’ll definitely gain attention once you wore them. Yes, this may be so, but what about the performance of the mouthguards? As aesthetic as they are, this gear offers maximum protection and comfort.

Its rubber shell is very durable yet moldable that perfectly fits in your mouth. The Venum Predator Mouthguard also offers excellent shock absorption that protects you from any injuries. It has three layers that further strengthens overall protection.

4. Venum Challenger Mouthguard

The Venum Challenger Mouthguard is another excellent product of the French combat sports brand. Although not as better as the Venum Predator Mouthguards, they are still the best option if you’re aiming for overall protection and comfort.

The rubber of the Venum Challenger is highly dense that offers maximum shock absorption. Having such a feature in your mouthguards reduces the risk of potential injuries. In addition, this particular mouthguard of Venum is specially designed to help the fighter achieve optimum breathing during sparring sessions. 

In terms of design, the fang designs of this mouthguard are not as prominent as the Predator. If you’re not comfortable with the designs of Predator, then you can also go for the Challenger product line. Either way, you can’t miss it.

5. Everlast Evershield Double Mouthguard

Everlast is a Boxing brand that has been known since the early 1900's. It is one of the most reputable brands and they always manufacture the best fight gear and equipment not just in Boxing, but to other combat sports as well.

The Everlast Evershield Double Mouthguard lives up to its name. the brand is ever-reliable in shielding your mouth from high-level impacts that may occur during sparring workouts. This particular combat sports gear is heavy-duty. Therefore, you can also rely on them for long-term use.

It is also a double mouthguard that protects both the upper and lower jaw, which makes it unique since most competing brands only offers a protector for the upper jaw. 

The Everlast Evershield Double Mouthguard has a rigid outer layer for additional impact protection, but it is also soft and comfortable on the inside linings. Considering the price, which is affordable, this is surely one of the best mouthguards for fighters by value.

6. Sisu Mouthguard Aero

At first look, the Sisu Mouthguard Aero design may look simple, but do not be distracted by the appearance it is one of the top-rated mouthguards in the market, even being the Amazon's choice for such.

What makes this mouthguard different from the rest is how convenient and comfortable it is. It has an ultralight design, which at only 1.6mm thick, is more or less half thinner than the conventional mouthguards. It surely is like a go-to equipment if you ask me.

The SISU Mouthguard Aero is not as complex compared to competing brands, but it has exceptional breathability, and its design allows users to comfortably talk and even drink while having it on. 

This mouthguard would not be recommendable for hard sparring or competition due to its thinness, but it has all the necessary features that would make it one of the best mouthguards for fighters, especially if it's just for training purposes. For this reason, they can train while having mouth protection, and not have their performance hampered.

7. SafeJawz Slim Fit Mouthguard

SafeJawz is one of the fastest rising manufacturers of mouthguards. Their products are currently listed as Amazon's choice and definitely one of the top-rated mouthguard products.

The brand boasts their revolutionizing SafeJawz Slim Fit mouthguard, that offers amazing retention and security in your jaws. Furthermore, their fluid it technology allows the mouthguard to contour your teeth and stay in place perfectly.

What I like about their design is their feature that is called JawSecure. It is an added thickness in the molar area of your teeth and gives extra protection and a good feel of protection when you bite it down. This helps you to prevent jaw and TMJ injuries that commonly happen from lateral and upward impacts.

In addition to these features, the SafeJawz Slim Fit mouthguard can be re-moldable multiple times, in comparison to the common boil-and-bite mouthguard can only be molded once. This makes it more convenient to use in the long run, and surely one of the best mouthguards for fighters.

Final Thoughts

That's all for the best mouthguards for fighters. I hope that this review article has provided you sufficient information in determining which product lines and brand suits your preference so you can have better protection in your MMA, Boxing, or Muay Thai training.

Regardless of what brand you choose, you can never go wrong with the ones listed in this review because they are among the top mouthguards in the market.

One final advice, though, it is better to stick with reputable brands to assure the quality of the mouthguards, always put quality over the cost. There are cheaper mouthguards from unknown and obscure brands, but I assure you that the quality and level of protection is incomparable as to those offered by reputable brands.

Please do take not of the buyer's guide before you purchase because it would be a very big help to pick the suitable ones. Thank you for taking time off and reading my review of the best mouthguards for fighters!

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images