Table of Contents
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Why You Need a Mouth Guard for MMA
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What To Look For In an MMA Mouth Guard
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Types of Mouth Guards for MMA
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Custom vs. Boil-and-Bite
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Benefits of Using Custom Mouth Guards for MMA
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ALIGNERCO: Affordable Custom Mouth Guards for MMA
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How to Care for Your MMA Mouth Guard
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Conclusion: The Best Mouth Guard for MMA is a Custom-Fit
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FAQs
In mixed martial arts (MMA), a sport where punches, kicks, and submissions are the order of the day, one of the most important pieces of equipment that fighters have to wear is a mouth guard. From the amateur to the professional, the preservation of your teeth, jaw, and whole mouth is not a matter of choice. That’s where mouth guards for MMA come in. Selecting the right mouth guard is as critical to safety as performance.
Learn what to consider when buying an MMA mouth guard, and how businesses such as ALIGNERCO provide accessible and high-quality mouth guards to fighters of all levels.
Why You Need a Mouth Guard for MMA
Fighting sports such as MMA subject your body to the utmost physical stress, and your mouth is an easy target. An uppercut or kick to the face can result in severe dental traumas such as broken teeth, fractured jaws, and lacerated soft tissues. Not only can your teeth be affected by being punched, but the grinding and clenching that happens when you are in a fight will do it too.
Mouth guards for MMA are a cushion that soaks up the blow and spreads it around your jaw, limiting the chance of major dental and oral damage. Aside from preserving your teeth and jaw, they can help prevent concussions by absorbing the energy transferred to your brain. A well-fitted mouth guard is not just about protection; it’s also about confidence—knowing that you're safeguarded allows you to focus on your performance without worrying about injury.
What To Look For In an MMA Mouth Guard
When it comes to selecting the right mouth guard for MMA, there are several factors to consider to ensure optimal performance and protection. Here's what you need to keep in mind:
Comfort and Fit
The single most crucial characteristic of any mouth guard is its fit. If it's not fitted properly, a mouth guard can move around during a bout, rendering it useless or worse, painful. Mouth guards for MMA are best when they're custom, that is, fitted to your teeth because that's the only way to get maximum comfort. They sit without moving, letting you breathe and talk freely with the best protection.
Material Durability
Mouth guards are commonly manufactured from EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), a plastic that is both flexible and shock-absorbent. Seek out good, strong materials that will stand the test of time, even with many fights or training sessions. It must be thick enough to cushion impact but not so large that breathing or talking is inhibited.
Protection Level
Different mouth guards offer varying levels of protection. In MMA, double-layered or triple-layered mouth guards are sometimes suggested. These mouth guards feature multiple layers of material that provide enhanced shock absorption, particularly important in a sport where blows to the face are common.
Breathing Capability
In high-pressure combat, being able to breathe is essential. A good mouth guard for MMA will be designed in such a way that it allows for unobstructed airflow.
Types of Mouth Guards for MMA
Several varieties of mouth guards are available for MMA, and being aware of your options is the first step to choosing the best one for you:
Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards
These are the most common mouth guards available in stores that are thermoplastic. After softening, you bite down on the mouth guard to make a mold of your teeth. While they are affordable and provide decent protection, boil-and-bite mouth guards tend to offer a less secure fit compared to custom options. This can disadvantage MMA fighters who require steady protection under strenuous activity.
Custom-Fit Mouth Guards
For the highest level of protection, custom-fit mouth guards are the gold standard. These are made specifically for your teeth, offering a snug, comfortable fit that stays in place even during the roughest fights. ALIGNERCO offers custom-fit mouth guards designed with fighters in mind, providing the perfect combination of protection, comfort, and breathability. They're perfect for athletes who want to protect their teeth in the long run but don't want to compromise athletic performance.
Stock Mouth Guards
Over-the-counter mouth guards are pre-molded and are available for use directly from the package. They are the least expensive option but also the least effective. Stock mouth guards don’t offer a personalized fit, which means they are more likely to shift during use, potentially putting you at risk of injury. They're OK for casual use or the beginner, but for serious MMA training or competition, they're not a good idea.
Custom vs. Boil-and-Bite
While boil-and-bite mouth guards are a budget-friendly option, they don't offer the same level of precision and comfort as custom-made mouth guards. A mouth guard made to fit your teeth is made from an impression copy of your teeth, and as a result, it fits and stays in place even during vigorous activity. Custom mouth guards like those from ALIGNERCO offer the best in terms of fit, comfort, and protection.
Benefits of Using Custom Mouth Guards for MMA
There are numerous advantages to investing in a custom mouth guard for MMA, especially if you're serious about protecting your oral health and maximizing performance.
Superior Protection
Fitted mouth guards are better than the over-the-counter or boil-and-bite varieties because they are molded to your teeth and your mouth. They provide a secure fit that minimizes the risk of movement during impact, ensuring that your teeth, gums, and jaw are protected at all times.
Enhanced Comfort
Fighting with a clumsy mouthful of mouth guard is distracting, even dangerous. Fitted mouth guards (from ALIGNERCO, for example) are made to fit your teeth perfectly and are, therefore, unmatched in terms of comfort. That way you can concentrate on the battle and not on adjusting or your mouth guard moving.
Improved Breathing and Communication
In mixed martial arts (MMA), breathing and speaking to coaches is extremely important. The custom mouth guards are fitted so that there is more airflow, so you can stay in longer and not lose stamina and endurance. Furthermore, a properly fitted custom-made guard won't interfere with your speech, enabling communication during a fight.
Durability
Custom mouth guards are made from high-quality materials that are more durable than their off-the-shelf counterparts. It also means that they can withstand the battering of endless training and matches, so they are a relatively cheap investment in the long term. With proper care, a custom mouth guard can last for years, providing consistent protection.
ALIGNERCO: Affordable Custom Mouth Guards for MMA
While custom mouth guards offer the greatest protection and comfort, they can be somewhat pricey. That’s where ALIGNERCO comes in. It is also known for its very reasonably priced at-home clear aligners, as well as custom-fit mouth guards in MMA.
Custom-Fit at a Fraction of the Cost
ALIGNERCO offers custom mouth guards for much less than one would pay at a standard dental office, but not at the expense of quality. You’ll receive a mouth guard that is perfectly tailored to your teeth, offering the same level of protection and comfort that you’d get from a dentist, but at a much more affordable price point.
Convenient At-Home Impression Kit
With ALIGNERCO, you can order a home impression kit, with which you can make a mold of your teeth at home. After you return the mold, ALIGNERCO makes a mouth guard that is tailored to you. It also saves you the time and hassle of going to other dentists.
Durable and Comfortable
ALIGNERCO's custom mouth guards are made to survive with the highest quality materials. They are supposed to be able to talk and breathe, but at the same time, your teeth and jaw are completely protected during a fight.
Great for All Levels
Whether you’re a beginner in MMA or a seasoned fighter, ALIGNERCO’s mouth guards are suitable for all skill levels. They are the perfect mixture of protection, comfort, and cost to be the perfect thing for any fighter.
How to Care for Your MMA Mouth Guard
Clean It After Every Use: Rinse your mouth guard with cool water after each use. That will also clean some of the spit and keep the bugs down.
Use a Mouth Guard Case: Keep your mouth guard in a breathable container when not in use. That will prevent it from being squashed and allow it to dry out.
Avoid Hot Water: Never rinse your mouth guard with hot water which will melt the substance.
Regular Inspections: Check your mouth guard from time to time for signs of wear. If it becomes too worn or damaged, replace it to ensure continued protection.
Conclusion: The Best Mouth Guard for MMA is a Custom-Fit
And with MMA mouth guards, there is no substitute for a good fit. The protection, comfort, and longevity of a custom mouth guard are critical for any serious athlete. ALIGNERCO makes a good mouth guard, custom-made at good prices, the best for MMA fighters, no matter what level. Investing in a custom mouth guard not only protects your teeth and jaw but also boosts your confidence and performance in the ring.
FAQs
1. Why is a mouth guard necessary for MMA?
A mouth guard is crucial for MMA because it protects your teeth, gums, and jaw from impact during fights. In any contact sport where the face is at risk of impact, a mouth guard absorbs the blow distributes it around your mouth, and prevents serious injury, including broken teeth, jaw fractures, and soft tissue damage. It also prevents concussions, in that it limits the force that goes to the brain when the brain is impacted.
2. How is a custom-made MMA mouth guard different from a boil-and-bite mouth guard?
A custom mouth guard is made from an impression of your teeth, offering a personalized fit that provides superior comfort and protection. It doesn't move during strenuous activity, which is very good for MMA fighters. Boil-and-bite mouth guards are made of thermoplastic that you melt in hot water and mold by biting into. They're less expensive, but don't fit as well, and can shift around in a fight, thus negating protection.
3. How does a custom-fit mouth guard improve performance in MMA?
A mouth guard that is made to fit will enhance all performance because you can concentrate on the fight itself. Its secure fit means you don’t have to worry about adjusting the mouth guard during bouts, and its design allows for better airflow, making it easier to breathe and maintain stamina. Custom mouth guards are also more comfortable, meaning that there's less to distract you during a game, and therefore less to take your attention away from your opponent.
4. How long does a custom mouth guard for MMA last?
If taken care of properly, a custom mouth guard will generally last between one and two years. Although the length of time varies based on how much you use it and how hard you train or fight. Regular inspections (for wear and tear) on your mouth guard and replacement at the right time ensure it stays as protective as possible.
5. How do I order a mouth guard for MMA from ALIGNERCO?
Ordering a custom mouth guard from ALIGNERCO is simple. You start by ordering an in-home impression kit from their website. Once you get the kit, you take an impression of your teeth as the supplied instructions direct, and then you mail it back to ALIGNERCO. They'll make a mouth guard from your impression and send it to you. It is a cool process, and you get a professional-looking mouth guard for a good price.
