A good mouth guard is essential for any boxer or combat sport athlete.
This applies not only for boxing but also MMA, kickboxing and muay thai, BJJ and even wrestling.
Whatever your chosen combat sport, when you start sparring/rolling, any good gym will insist your wear a gum shield/mouth guard.
In this guide, we’re going to take you through exactly what to look for in a good MMA or boxing gum shield, the different types and features, and our reviews of the best boxing gum shields in the UK right now.
For those of you in a hurry, these are the gum shields that came out on the top of our list this year:
Top mouth guards in the UK – Our Picks 2020
Note: While this article focuses mostly on MMA/boxing mouth guards and gum shields, we’re aware they are also essential for many other contact sports, such as rugby, hockey and basketball too. All of the mouth guards in our list are suitable for these sports as well.
Why do you need a mouth guard for boxing and MMA?
A good mouth guard or gum shield protects your mouth in several very important ways.
Firstly, it protects your lips and inner mouth. If you get hit with a strike, even if your partner has thick 16 oz gloves on (and even if the strike isn’t particularly hard), it is extremely easy for your teeth to cut against your inner mouth and lips. This is also very common in BJJ when someone tries to do an escape or any sudden movement and your mouth gets caught with a stray knee or elbow. Next thing you know your lips are cut up and they’re bleeding. It’s happened to me more than once, and I’ve seen it countless times.
The second thing it does is protect your teeth. You may have noticed in UFC fights, fighters have lost teeth getting hit even with a gum shield on. However, if you spar and train sensibly, you should never have to worry about losing a tooth in training as long as you wear a good fitting mouth guard. Not only does it protect you, it also means you can spar with more confidence and get more out of your training.
Lastly, a good mouth piece also protects your partners. Sometimes during a roll, a flailing arm or elbow may hit you in the mouth, but if you’re wearing a mouth piece it shouldn’t be a problem and you probably will hardly notice it. However, if your teeth aren’t protected, you not only risk a tooth getting knocked loose, you also risk cutting your training partner.
Mouth guards are also extremely affordable, and you should be able to get a reliable mouth piece for less than £10. There’s no excuse for not wearing one!
What to look for in a good MMA mouth guard
A good fit
Most mouth guards are “boil and bite”.
They come in a generic mouth shape, and you simply pop them in boiling water for a minute and then bite into them firmly.
Use your fingers to push it as tightly against your teeth as possible, and hold it there for another minute to let it set.
In just a couple of minutes, you should have a mouth piece perfectly fitted to your teeth and gums.
Of course if it doesn’t feel right, you can just re-boil it and fit it again. In fact with every mouth piece I’ve owned, I’ve always at least two tries to get it fitting just the way I want.
Custom vs boil-and-bite
You may hear some people recommend more expensive “custom” mouth pieces and gum shields. These are done by companies that you actually send moulds of your teeth to, and they make a specially customised mouth piece for you.
To be honest, we don’t recommend these. Even the pro fighters I know still use regular boil and bite mouthguards even during competition and they work just fine. We don’t see the need to spend 2x or 3x the price for something that isn’t really that different.
You can go even further and visit your dentist – most dentists are able to make special bespoke mouth guards for you for maybe £100. Again, we don’t see any reason to do that. Boil and bite mouth guards are just as good, and many of them even have guarantees against any dental damage.
Stick with the recommendations in our list below and you should be just fine.
Sizing
Boil and bite mouth pieces usually only come in two sizes – Child and Adult.
Some brands will also have various sizings for children, such as Years 6-8, Years 9-11, Teenage and so on.
Unless you have a very abnormally small or large mouth, the Adult size will be suitable for all adults. I personally have a smallish mouth and have never bought an off-the-shelf mouth guard that didn’t fit (and I’ve easily had more than ten!)
Most mouth pieces are also made from rubbers or soft synthetics meaning you can safely cut them down to size if they extend too far up your gums or too far past your molars. So even if you have big/small teeth or your molars don’t extend as far back as most people, you can cut a boil-and-bite mouth guard down to size to fit you.
Note that almost all adult mouth guards are unisex as well.
In the event your mouth is still too small or large to fit a standard mouth guard, this is where we would recommend visiting your dentist or getting a custom-fit mouthguard. However, even then, we still recommend trying a boil-and-bite first. They are very malleable and customisable and while not unheard of, it would be unusual that your mouth is so large or small that they can’t be moulded to fit you.
The final exception would be if you have braces. You might prefer to get your orthodontist to make a custom fit mouthguard for you. However, there are boil-and-bite gum shields on the market for people with braces and they generally work very well. An example is the Opro Gold that we’ve reviewed below.
Materials
Look for gum shields that are made from silicone or rubber (usually a combination of both). Ideally you want it to be latex free as well. At the very least it should be made with BPA free plastic.
These are much safer for you than mouth pieces made from cheap plastic mixes or other synthetics. That’s pretty rare nowadays anyway, and rubber/silicone or special gels is the industry standard for all the reputable brands.
Gum shields aren’t expensive in general, so there’s no need to skimp on a no-name brand to save a few pounds. Stick with the brands that have a reputation for quality protective gear and you should be fine.
Our top MMA mouth guards UK
We’ve reviewed some of the best selling mouth guards in the UK. Check out our thoughts below and which ones top our list.
In no particular order:
1. Venum Predator MMA Mouthguard
The Venum Predator is made specifically for MMA and combat sports.
It has a lower profile design, meaning it doesn’t extend too far up the gum line. This is not only more comfortable but also allows for much easier breathing which can be difficult with a larger mouth piece. They are also made from high density rubber, allowing them to be thinner than most typical gum shields.
Remember, if you’re sparring you should also be wearing headgear, which greatly lessons the possibility of you taking a clean shot on your teeth (depending on your style of headgear, obviously).
Therefore having a slightly thinner and lower gum shield like the Venum Predator may sound like you’re getting less protection, but as long as you’re wearing a decent piece of headgear, the extra breathability should actually enhance your sparring ability without compromising your safety.
For those who are looking specifically for an MMA gum shield or boxing gum shield to use during sparring, we think this is a great choice.
- Made from high density rubber.
- Low profile design.
- Boil and bite.
- Nextfit Gel Frame for better fit and comfort.
- Designed specifically for combat sports.
- Technically engineered for optimal breathing.
- Comes with protective carry case.
2. Opro Power Fit Mouthguard
The Opro Power Fit is Opro’s top model of gum shield and one of their best sellers.
Designed for all sports that require a mouth guard, including rugby and hockey, the Power Fit uses an inner gel layer for a tight fit around your teeth and gums, and then a harder outer layer for absorbing any impact.
Opro also includes their Power-Cage device with each of their gum shields, which is a handy device that helps you fit the gum shield into your mouth while doing your boil and bite, similar to a levered mould your dentist might use. You can read more about that here.
All their mouth guards also come with a Biomaster case, which is lined with antimicrobial materials to keep your mouthguard from growing bacteria while you store it between training sessions.
Lastly, Opro’s mouth guards come with an impressive dental guarantee of £20,000 – covering you for any dental damage you receive while wearing their mouth guards during the 18 months from purchase.
- Soft gel inter-jaw absorption layer.
- Made in the UK.
- BPA free.
- Biomaster antimicrobial carry case.
- Patented anatomical fins.
- Suitable for all sports.
- £20,000 dental guarantee.
3. The Original Beast Guard
The Beast Guard by Beast Gear is perfect for someone wanting a high quality mouth guard at an affordable price.
The Beast Guard comes in one model and is priced at £10, making it affordable for everyone. That doesn’t mean it’s a low quality guard though! We actually rate it pretty highly.
Protection wise, the Beast Guard does its job well. It’s a dual layer design which should really be standard in any respectable mouth piece nowadays. This means that the inner layer that surrounds your teeth is made of a different material than the outer layer that actually absorbs the impact. The Beast Guard does exactly that, with an inner gel layer coated with an outer impact layer.
The Beast Guard also comes with breathing channels on the underside of the mouth piece, and also small indents that act as a bite-lock, which prevents any movement at all when your teeth are clenched.
Overall a very solid gum shield by Beast Gear, suitable for all sports and budgets. When it comes to value for money – there isn’t a gum shield on our list better than this one.
- Dual layer design.
- Bite-lock prevents slippage during intense sparring.
- Breathing channels for better O2 intake.
- BPA free.
- Very affordable.
- Comes with carry case.
4. SAFEJAWZ Full Contact Gum Shield Extro Series
SAFEJAWZ is a very popular mouth guard brand in the UK, their main selling points being their low price point and their perfect fit guarantee.
SAFEJAWZ uses a dual layer gel system, and their trademarked RemodelTech which allows for easy remoulding multiple times. Of course other boil and bite mouth guards can be remoulded several times too, but each subsequent remould can get a little more difficult after the first.
SAFEJAWZ also uses a precontoured underside that helps secure the lower and upper jaw against side impacts while you’re biting down.
The gum shields also have an ultra-slim profile on the inside to prevent gagging and allow you to breath easier with a more open airway. A pretty standard gum shield that does everything it needs to, at a good price.
- Dual layer design.
- JawSecure tech protects jaws against slipping during side strikes.
- Ultra thin inner layer for better breathing.
- Comes with carry case.
- Perfect fit guarantee or your money back.
5. Venum Challenger Multi-Sport Mouth Guard
The Venum Challenger is a more generic style mouth guard, unlike the Venum Predator we reviewed above which is specifically designed for MMA and combat sports. While this is still an MMA/boxing-oriented mouth piece, it’s more suitable to use across a variety of sports like rugby and hockey as well.
The main difference is a slightly higher profile that extends higher on the gum line, and a little thicker as well.
It still uses the same NextFit gel technology to ensure a comfortable fit and high density rubber for the outer frame for protection. It also has a breathing channel built in to ensure you can breathe in free-flow during those tough sparring sessions and maximise your O2 intake.
Overall a great mouth guard by Venum and a good choice if you want something MMA oriented but don’t want to shell out the big bucks for the Venum Predator.
- Dual layer rubber/gel design.
- Built in breathing channels for better O2 uptake.
- Lower rubber frame for jaw protection.
- Suitable for all sports.
- Good, cheaper alternative to the Venum Predator (for MMA fighters).
- Comes with carry case.
6. Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouth Guard
Shock Doctor has been a common sight in sports stores and on recommendation lists and we agree they do make very good mouth guards.
With a soft Gel-Fit inner liner, and their trademark Exoskeletal Frame, the Shock Doctor is equipped to take hits as good as any top mouth guards on the market. It actually utilises a triple layer design made with heavy duty silicone for exceptional shock absorption.
Integrated breathing channels are built in to prevent mouth guard gag and keep your airways flowing during those extra tough workouts.
Comes in two sizes – both Youth and Adult (11 years+)
Their mouth pieces also come with the Shock Doctor dental warranty so you can be confident you’re getting the best protection possible.
I actually found the Shock Doctor to be slightly on the large side, it didn’t fit my mouth quite as nicely as an Opro or Venum Challenger. However, I do know several people who love Shock Doctors and have used them for years. They definitely are extremely sturdy and if the fit is good, I’m sure you’ll love it too.
- Triple layer design combined with soft gel and heavy duty silicone.
- Inner gel-fit liner with Exoskeletal frame.
- Boil and bite.
- Athlete tested in every sport from MMA to rugby.
- Comes with dental guarantee.
7. BIND Gum Shield
The Gum Shield by BIND is a solid offering and is a simple mouth guard that does everything right.
BIND is a British brand, and this particular mouth piece is also designed and CE certified in England. This means they’re commonly approved and recommended in various sports clubs around the UK.
The mouth piece itself is made with a dual layer design, which BIND claims is made from all non-cancer causing materials (though they don’t specify exactly what those are). It’s also designed with their OSA (Optimum Shock Absorption) tech which is specifically designed for deflecting impact and reducing injury.
The inner layer is made with Custom Fit Bind Gel, allowing you to mould it at home with the standard boil and bite method.
Also comes with their perfect fit guarantee – meaning if the fit isn’t right, you can send it back within 14 days for a full refund.
- Dual layer design.
- Made from only non-cancer causing materials.
- Optimum Shock Absorption technology.
- Comes with carry case.
- CE certified and designed in England.
- Perfect fit guarantee.
8. Opro Gold Level Mouth Guard for Braces
This is the mouth guard we recommend if you have braces.
Some people assume if you have braces that rules you out from any kind of contact sport.
Not true!
You just need to find the right mouth piece.
This particular model is made to Opro’s usual high standards and is designed specifically to protect your teeth during the years you are wearing braces.
It has patented shortened fins along the rim and a unique brace bumper, with an enhanced inner gel layer for protection. The outer shell layer is specially built for impact resistance. It also has built-in stretch zones to allow it to fit almost any mouth, with an open palate for easy breathing.
To fit the mouth piece you use the standard boil and bite method, but included is Opro’s Fitting Cradle to help you get the perfect mould. The shape will allow you to fit it over all your teeth as it has been expertly designed to fit and mould to the mouth of anyone wearing fixed braces.
It also comes with Opro’s impressive £15,000 dental warranty.
There are a few mouth guards made specifically for braces, but OPro is one of the most reliable brands in the UK and our only recommendation.
- Expertly designed for athletes wearing braces.
- Dual layer design.
- Boil and bite, assisted by the Opro Fitting Cage.
- Both mouth piece and case built with Biomaster antimicrobial technology.
- £15,000 Dental Guarantee.
9. REGARDLESS Performance Lite Mouth Guard
The cheapest mouth guard to make our list, this offering by REGARDLESS is a new-ish product on the market, but it’s simple and well-made and that’s exactly the kind of thing we like.
The dual layer design is built with self moulding gel on the inside and tough impact resistant gel on the outside for a durable, lightweight mouthpiece that is a joy to train in.
Along the underside are built in air grooves to assist breathing and a bite lock towards the back to ensure your jaws don’t slide during those intense moments of your spar/workout.
It also comes with a pretty cool carry case fixed with a carabiner so you can fix it to the outside of your backpack or training bag if you prefer.
The thing we love most about it though is the price. Quality mouth guard for a bargain, means you have no excuse for not staying protected!
- Dual layer gel design made with 100% non-toxic materials.
- Air grooves for easier breathing.
- Bite lock to prevent slippage.
- Very affordable.
- Comes with carry cases and carabiner clip.
10. Mapley Premium Mouth Guard
Mapley’s mouth guard is another well-designed mouth guard at a decent price point.
Made from latex-free, BPA free EVA, the double layer design is fitted with self-moulding gel on the inside and a tougher impact layer on the outside.
Back-padding cushion is fixed into the back ends to help absorb impact along the molars. These cushions are made from gel cushions that impact twice as much shock as standard mouth guard materials.
Those ends are also fitted with bite-locks to ensure maximum stability whenever you’re biting down.
Air flow channels are built into the front to ensure you’re getting enough O2 and prevent gagging, and they’re cleverly located on the outside panel so they don’t get obstructed during the moulding process.
Like the others on this list the moulding is done with the standard boil and bit process, and it also comes with a carabiner fixed carry case to keep it clean and safe.
Overall a good quality product for a decent price, and nice style design too for those wanting something a little different.
- Dual layer design with self mould inner layer.
- Boil and bite.
- Non toxic BPA and latex free.
- Bite lock for max stability around the molars.
- Back padding cushion for better side impact absorption.
- Comes with carry case and carabiner clip.
Some extra mouth guard tips
Always wash it!
Don’t leave your mouthguard sitting in your gear bag. After you’ve finished your session give it a quick rinse with water, and then once you get home give it a good wash with antibacterial soap.
There is nothing worse than a used mouth guard that’s been sitting in your gear bag for a week!
Always use your carry case
All mouth guards should come with a carry case.
It’s just basic good hygiene to keep your mouth guard in its case rather than loosely floating around the bottom of your bag.
More importantly, the case stops your mouthguard from being knocked around or sat on by the rest of your gear, ensuring it keeps its shape and fit.
Re mould it whenever you need
It’s not uncommon for mouth guards to warp out of shape over time. Whenever you feel it’s not fitting as good as it should, just redo your boil and bite fitting to get it back into shape.
A mouth guard or gum shield that doesn’t fit properly is not only less effective but can be dangerous if it moves too easily when you take impact.
Replace your mouth guard regularly
Mouth pieces are cheap enough that you can replace them every season if needed.
Most mouth guards are made from some combination of rubber, silicone and synthetic gels, and these wear down over time. Not to mention they can gather bacteria, just like your boxing gloves will wear down and start to smell eventually, even if you take care of them well.
As you can get good quality mouth guards for less than £10, there’s no good excuse to keep using a worn out mouth guard. If you feel like it’s getting old or the gels have started to harden, get yourself a new one. That fresh, snug fit is what you should be looking for every time you go out to train!
Our top picks!
Here’s a breakdown of our top recommendations:
Specifically for MMA, we like the Venum Predator. It’s designed for fighting and the shape and fit shows that. We love the lower profile design and paired with a good piece of headgear, this should give you all the protection you need with maximum comfort. It’s not the cheapest, but if you can afford the few extra pounds, this is our pick for an MMA mouth guard.
Our best budget pick is the REGARDLESS Performance Lite. It does everything a good gum shield should do, and at well under £10 it’s a bargain. Awesome value for a great product – just what we like!
Our best pick overall? We’re actually going to go with the Beast Guard! Originally we chose the OPro Power Fit, though it’s very expensive and we don’t see why anyone needs to spend that much on a gum shield.
The Beast Guard does almost everything the OPro does but at 30% of the price. In terms of value for money, it’s unmatched.
The OPro is still a great product, and is the only one with the £20k dental guarantee, so if that’s important to you we’re happy to recommend it. It also gets an honourable mention in our top picks because of that, but the Beast Guard takes our top spot overall. Over 3,000 five star reviews tells us other people probably agree!
Ready to buy? Our top picks again for 2020:
References:
https://www.makurasport.com/blog/straightforward-guide-choosing-right-mouthguard/
https://www.westsidedentistry.com.au/how-to-choose-a-mouthguard
https://gladiatorguards.com/athletic-equipment-3-tips-to-choosing-the-right-mouthguard/
https://chuxx.co.uk/blogs/blog/gumshields-choosing-a-mouth-guard
Last update on 2024-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
