Mouthguard

Custom-fitted or boil-and-bite plastic dental protection. Mouthguards prevent dental trauma (chipped or knocked-out teeth) and reduce TMJ-related concussion risk. Custom-fitted mouthguards from a dentist ($200-500) are the gold standard; boil-and-bite ($15-40) are adequate for amateur sparring.

Key features

• ▸Custom-fitted (dentist) or boil-and-bite (over-the-counter)
• ▸Single or double-layer thickness
• ▸Plastic case for storage
• ▸Often colour-coded by gym affiliation

Buying guide

For sparring 3+ times per week: get a custom-fitted mouthguard from a dentist. For occasional use: a $20 boil-and-bite is fine. Replace every 12 months.