Choosing the Best Mouthguard for MMA-By Founder and CEO of Damage Control Mouthguards

In MMA and other combat sports, your face is the target. In most other sports, the target is something else—like a goalpost, end zone, basket, or net. From the very beginning, we've carried the responsibility of ensuring every customer who buys from us stays protected

When it comes to MMA, protection is paramount. A high-quality mouthguard shields your teeth and gums from serious oral injuries. As a dedicated mouthguard fabricator and specialist, and creating 10 of thousand of mouthguards by hand over the years, we understand the importance of proper fit, materials, and safety standards. Here’s our expert advice on selecting the best mouthguard for MMA fighters.

Why Custom Fit Matters

Off-the-shelf mouthguards are often ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and less effective at absorbing impact. A custom-fit mouthguard ensures a snug fit, maximizing protection and comfort during intense bouts. Our research, in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, has shown that proper thickness and material consistency are critical for optimal impact absorption.

Our Top Recommendations For MMA

1. Our Premium Custom Fit Mouthguard with HXC Technology
We highly recommend our Hand-Fabricated Custom Fit Mouthguard with HXC (High-Impact Composite Core) as the gold standard for MMA athletes. Engineered for maximum durability and impact resistance, our HXC mouthguards are crafted with precision to offer superior protection. They are customized to fit your teeth perfectly, ensuring comfort without compromising safety.

2. Hand-Fabricated Custom Mouthguard
Our second recommendation is our Hand-Fabricated Custom Fit Mouthguard, meticulously crafted to our research-based specifications. We pay special attention to the thickness, ensuring it aligns with the proven standards from our studies with Sandia National Labs. The result is a mouthguard that offers reliable impact absorption, durability, and a comfortable fit.

Budget-Friendly Option: Boil and Bite Mouthguards

If budget constraints are a concern, we recommend a boil-and-bite mouthguard. These are convenient and more affordable, but it’s crucial to choose one with a minimum thickness of 3mm to ensure safety.  Many mouthguards sold in sporting goods stores claim to offer breathability and comfort, but they often lack the thickness needed to provide real protection for MMA.  Anything thinner than 3mm significantly increases the risk of breakage or insufficient impact absorption, which can compromise your safety during competition. Our High Impact Mouthguards and Extreme Impact Mouthguard offer sufficient  thickness for the sport of MMA. Also we have engineered these mouth guards to replicate the qualities our custom fit mouthguards by offering the same snap on fit, and same thickness of our custom fit mouthguards for the sport of MMA.  However, they will not last as long, nor can they be as protective as a custom fit motuhguard as they are not hand fabricated to the anatomy of your teeth as our custom fit mouthguards are. 

Why Thickness Matters

Based on our extensive research, anything under 3mm in thickness may not provide adequate protection against high-impact blows common in MMA. Proper thickness ensures the mouthguard can absorb and distribute forces effectively, reducing the risk of dental injuries and concussions.

Final Thoughts:
Your safety should always come first. Investing in a properly fitted, high-quality mouthguard tailored to your needs can make a significant difference in your performance and protection. Whether you choose our custom HXC mouthguard, our expertly hand-fabricated options, or a suitable boil-and-bite model, always prioritize safety and proper fit.