The 10 Best Mouthguards for MMA – Buyer’s Guide 2024

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No matter what sport you are involved in, safety is always the foremost priority of all concerned. In particular, if you practice or are involved in MMA, boxing, jiujitsu, muay Thai or any other contact sport, then you must be well aware of the protective gear called mouthguards.

If you do not wear a properly fitted martial arts mouthguard, then chances are you may end up with a missing tooth (or teeth), jaw damage or even worse, a head trauma. This is why all MMA fighters are required to wear a mouthguard during their fights.

It only takes a punch, tackle or a knee kick to do the damage and you don’t want to cause serious injury to yourself if this kind of sport is your bread and butter and/or passion. At the least, losing teeth or having your jaw injured is extremely discomforting and painful and you can end up with a heavy medical bill if you are not insured (or a bigger premium next time if you are).

Hence, do not be complacent and make sure you always wear an MMA mouth guard. There is certainly no bravery in being naive and compromising the safety of your teeth and gums.

10 Best 2024 Mouthguards for MMA and Martial Arts

Best MMA mouth-guards are also required for MMA and other martial arts-based sports because you never know who your opponent is and he or she may intend to use some sort of a hidden weapon against you.

The best mouthguard for MMA is also required because it is proven by research that they protect you from a possible concussion when you get a severe punch up your jaw or face.

It is with the above in mind that we have endeavored to bring to you the top 10 best mouthguards for MMA, which should go a long way in you making a well-informed decision when protecting your teeth.

You may be asking yourself where to buy a gum shield and the answer is simple: any online sports merchandise website or physical sports store. It is always a great idea to ‘shop around’, do a comparative analysis and then make up your mind. MMA mouthguards are safety gear and there is no room for impulsive buying!

Venum Challenger Mouthguard



This Venum Challenger mouthguard has a Nexfit Gel Frame which provides for great adjustment and comfort. It also has a modern design that allows the fighter to breathe easily during the fights. This is custom made for those intense fights when you need to focus on the opponent and not worry about your facial safety.

The rubber frame of this UFC gum shield has a high density which reduces the shock to the wearer and provides optimum fit and protection.

These custom fit mouthguards come standard with protective cases to keep them clean and hygienic for long term usage.

Venum Predator Mouthguard


This Venum Predator is one of the best mouthguards available in the market and designed for an improved adjustment for the fighter and at the same time providing them with a comfortable fit. This mouthguard has been engineered to assist the fighter with his breathing rhythm whilst fighting. This ensures optimum performance.

The frame of the mouthguard is quite sturdy and flexible at the same time which allows for shock absorption upon impact and ensuring maximum protection.

The mouthguard comes with a protective case which keeps the mouthguard clean and protected from germs and bacteria.

This model is available in multiple colors so you will be spoilt for choices.

Champs Breathable Mouthguard


This mouthguard is renowned for its perfect fit. Once you have boiled it, it is ready to be placed into your mouth and off you go!

This best mouth guard is designed to cover various sports such as jiujitsu, muay Thai, boxing and MMA or related combat sports.

These are designed for high-impact and can withstand the toughest blows thrown your way. It has a soft gel inner layer which gives extra cushioning inside and has 3 central air holes for free oxygen flow.

It is available in 2 sizes and multiple colors so you can pick your favorite.

OPRO Power-Fit Mouthguard


This mouthguard has a dual outer layer for extra protection which helps absorb high power blows by spreading the impact.

The fitting fin fits well into your teeth allowing you to speak and breathe at the same time and enhance your focus on the sport as well.

The fitting is straightforward and doesn’t take more than 3 minutes. These gum shields cannot be worn with braces though.

It is interestingly available in ‘country coded’ designs and colors. This is a stand out feature of this mouthguard as compared to others available in the market.

Damage Control Mouthguards


These high-impact boil and bite mouth guards are extremely comfortable and provide you with a relaxed fit.

These are made up of Damp Rotech material which provides for 150% more shock absorption than most other companies manufacturing these products.

This product also comes with an attractive dental warranty which is limited to $10,000, which is not offered by many in the market.

These come in some really cute cat designs which aren’t very common to find and may interest female fighters.

Bad Mother F


This boil and bite mouthguard is designed for high-impact sports and is manufactured out of Damp Rotech technology which ensures greater shock absorption (as compared to other competitors in the market) and hence better protection during a fight scene.

It has funky looks, bold text and guaranteed protection for the focused areas of your mouth. It also enhances your smile which helps in ruffling the opponent.

This product is designed by Damage Control LLC and also features a $10,000 dental warranty (which is limited of course).

Redline Sportswear Custom Molded Mouthguard



This molded boil and bite mouth guard is easy to use and is quite a hit amongst the kids and professional athletes alike.

It has a dual-layer and a gel lining which provides great protection for users of all age groups. These are available in white, pink, grey, green, blue, red and yellow.

The product is made out of 100% FDA approved material and BPA free too. It is also free of any latex or PVC materials.

It comes with a protective carrying case free. This ensures complete protection against dirt, bacteria, and impurities and also avoids any damage to the mouth piece.

Shock Doctor Double Braces Mouth Guard



This double brace mouthguard is made out of 100% medical-grade silicone. This mouthguard is specially designed for fighters who use braces or other orthodontic pieces in their mouth. It sits nicely on the brackets and provides full protection to the upper and lower teeth. It doesn’t have any rough edges or materials which may irritate.

This mouthguard fits your mouth instantly and can be popped out with ease too. It doesn’t require any molding and can adjust to any changes in the tooth position of the user when the braces require subsequent adjustment. This product is also free from latex, BPA or phthalate.

Hütz – Adult Mouth Guard for Sports


This pro edition 3 mouthguard is specifically designed for adult fighters (or those aged 11 years and older) involved in Jiujitsu, MMA, boxing, lacrosse, wrestling, muay Thai, football and any other contact sports. It has an anti-impact gel and anti-impact system and a double-layered technology to provide you with the best protection during high octane fights.

This product has a breathable design for optimum performance and a comfortable fit.

It comes with a free protective case that keeps your piece clean and hygienic when not in use. It is available in black, blue and pink colors.

RDX Mouthguard Boxing Gum Shield


This boxing gum shield is made out of latex-free material to minimize the irritation during that all-important boxing fight.

It has a boil and bites technology that provides for a customized fitting for an effective and easy feel.

The product is durable and long-lasting which is primarily due to its poly gel feature. Moreover, it has a unique Shock Fort design which provides the fighter with added protection and support.

This gum shield is ideal for sports like kickboxing, muay Thai, MMA or rough and tough rugby tackles.

It is available at a reasonable price of $22.99 and comes in a variety of colors to suit your taste and style.

Important Mouthguard Features

Let us look at some of the must-have functionalities of the best mouthguard for MMA.

Fit & Comfort

Fit and comfort are the most important considerations when you are buying a mouthguard for MMA purposes. For a perfect custom fit, always ensure that you have boiled your mouthguard before using it so that you get a comfortable and customized fit.

If you intend to buy a boil and bite mouthguard, you will need to mold it so that it adjusts to the dimensions of your mouth. The best gum shield will stick to your teeth perfectly and stay put in its place.

No matter which sport you opt for, it is vitally important that UFC mouthguards fit nice and tight and provide you with the best comfort and protection before you go pack a punch!

Size

Size is undoubtedly the second most important consideration for a fighter looking for a mouth guard. Size matters for a comfortable custom fit that gives you the peace of mind that everything is in place and secured.

A perfect size essentially serves two main purposes. First is that it helps you breathe properly during a pressure situation and secondly, it provides you with the all-important protection you need when you get hit by a punch or a knee kick, in case of an MMA fight.

If the mouthguard size is too big that may impact your breathing. If it is too small then you are compromising your protection as it won’t cover your teeth or mouth fully.

The fitting should be such that your mouthguard should snug and protect your upper teeth, without any bite or clenching on your part once you have put it on. If you have to constantly bite or clench your gum shield then that is a massive distraction during a match and it is not a good fit.

Once you have placed it in your mouth, the mouthguard should stay stuck and not move or shift in your mouth.

Design & Style

Last but not the least, you may be thinking about the design and style of your mouthguard. This is because anything you wear or put on is a representation of your personality and statement that you are trying to make. The world is watching you and you need to look and feel the best you can.

With certain mouthguard manufacturers, you can even get a customized mouthguard that can have your choice of color, texture, material, and text are written on it. This will be pricier than your standard mouth guards available in the market.

Custom Fit vs. Boil and Bite Mouthguard

The two primary choices available to you when you are buying the best MMA gum shield are (a) Custom Mouthguard, and (b) Boil and Bite Mouthguard. We have already answered the question ‘where can I buy a gum shield’ for you, and both the options should be available (online or in physical sports stores) for you to make up your mind.

Custom Mouthguard

As the name suggests, custom mouthguards are customized for your mouth and teeth. These are meant to provide you with the best comfort and protection, whether for a professional MMA fight or any other contact sport that requires a mouthguard.

This fit isn’t as complicated as it sounds. All you need to do is follow simple instructions that come with your mouthguard kit via mail, setting out in simple steps how to achieve a customized fit for your mouthguard.

Once you have taken an impression of your teeth, you then need to send that back to the manufacturing company at their designated address, who can normally come back to you with your customized gum shield within a few weeks. If you find this difficult to follow or are unsure about the process, you can simply visit your dentist to assist you with your teeth mold, which can then be provided to the manufacturer.

These mouthguards can be very expensive as compared to the boil and bite mouthguards. As you would have anticipated, these are the mouthguards that are commonly chosen by professional fighters and contact sports persons.

Boil and Bite Mouthguard

This is the most commonly sought gum shield as it is inexpensive to purchase as compared to a customized mouthguard. These types of mouthguards designed with a special material get softer in texture once dipped in water. It then adapts to the pressure once bitten and then it takes the shape of your mouth and becomes fixed in texture, ensuring maximum protection.

These MMA mouthguards provide you with a cheap and easy solution and afford a comfortable fit once the molding process is completed properly. If the mouthguard instructions are not followed in the right order, then you do not get a good fit and more importantly, you sacrifice on your protection, which was the very reason you purchased a mouthguard.

The History of the Mouthguard

A dentist from London, namely Woolf Krause, developed the very first mouthguard in 1890. It was officially called a gum shield and made out of a material called gutta-percha. This was specially designed for use by boxers and helped them from getting lip lacerations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do you Need to Use a Mouthguard for MMA?

MMA fighters need a mouthguard to, first and foremost, make sure to protect themselves from any teeth, jaw or head injury and also as part of their fashion statement during a fight.

What are the Best MMA Mouthguard Brands?

Some of the best mouthguard brands include Venum, Champs, OPRO, Hutz, RDX, Redline and Shock Doctor. They all feature in the top 10 recommendations mentioned above.

The choices are endless when it comes to mouthguards. They come in all shapes, sizes, designs, and colors. It is eventually a personal choice which one you prefer and what considerations you take into account when you buy one. The purpose of this guide is to educate you on this product generally and to provide you with the best mouthguard options available in the market. We have researched for you so you don’t have to.

A mouthguard is a must for an MMA fighter. It is not simply a fashion statement but an essential safety gear that can save you from serious injuries that can be painful and quite serious. One cannot be complacent and take the position that he or she is strong enough to withstand any blow, punch or impact that comes their way.

No matter which one you choose, always remember that mouthguard quality and fit are more important than styling and design. Never compromise on mouth guards.