Why the mouthguard is the most important piece of equipment in MMA

When a student starts MMA, they often think about gloves, shorts, or a rashguard. Yet, the most important piece of equipment for their safety fits in the palm of their hand: the mouthguard.

Too often overlooked, it is nonetheless one of the few pieces of gear capable of preventing injuries with potentially permanent consequences.

As a dental professional and combat sports practitioner, I consider the mouthguard to be the most important investment a fighter can make.

Dental trauma is more common than you think

In MMA, boxing, grappling, or even during simple technical drills, facial impacts can happen at any time.

A fractured tooth is not just an aesthetic problem.

Depending on the severity of the trauma, consequences can include:

• Enamel fracture.

• Tooth fracture.

• Root canal treatment.

• Permanent tooth loss.

• Complex and expensive dental care.

Some injuries require years of follow-up and treatment.

A tooth does not grow back

Unlike a cut or a bruise, an adult tooth does not regenerate.

When a tooth is broken or knocked out, it is sometimes possible to save it, but success is never guaranteed.

Even when treatment is possible, the tooth will never fully return to its original state.

This is why prevention remains the best solution.

The role of the mouthguard

A mouthguard acts as a shock absorber.

During an impact, it distributes forces over a larger surface area and reduces the stress exerted on the teeth.

In particular, it helps to:

• Reduce the risk of dental fracture.

• Protect the lips and soft tissues.

• Limit certain jaw injuries.

• Reduce injuries caused by contact between teeth.

No mouthguard guarantees absolute protection, but its effectiveness is vastly superior to having no protection at all.

"I only do grappling"

This is a phrase we hear often.

Yet, even without strikes, accidents happen.

An involuntary knee, an elbow during a transition, a poorly controlled fall, or a takedown can cause significant dental trauma.

Injuries do not give advance warning.

The mouthguard doesn't just protect the teeth

When talking about mouthguards, most practitioners immediately think of broken teeth or injured lips.

However, its role does not stop there.

During an impact to the face or jaw, the energy from the blow travels through the teeth, skull bones, temporomandibular joint, and cervical spine structures.

By creating a soft interface between the dental arches, the mouthguard acts as a shock absorber capable of absorbing and distributing some of the forces generated by the impact.

This absorption contributes in particular to:

• Reducing stress exerted on the teeth.

• Limiting certain jaw injuries.

• Decreasing forces transmitted to the cervical spine.

• Reducing some of the vibrations and shock waves that propagate through the craniofacial structures.

Assistance for the cervical spine

During a blow to the jaw, the head is suddenly accelerated or decelerated.

This movement causes significant stress on the muscles, ligaments, and cervical joints.

By maintaining a gap between the dental arches and absorbing part of the impact energy, the mouthguard helps reduce the forces transmitted to the cervical region.

Obviously, it cannot prevent a cervical injury during a violent impact, but it helps limit certain mechanical stresses.

A reduction in head trauma

It is important to specify that a mouthguard does not replace a helmet and cannot prevent a concussion.

However, several scientific studies have investigated its potential role in reducing the forces transmitted to the head during impacts.

The current consensus is that a properly fitted mouthguard helps reduce certain mechanisms of shock transmission, particularly at the level of the jaw and craniofacial structures.

Even if its protective effect on head trauma remains less significant than its direct dental protection, it provides an additional layer of safety that fully justifies its systematic use in both training and competition.

In combat sports, no protection is perfect. However, stacking multiple levels of protection helps to progressively reduce risks.

Not all mouthguards are created equal

There are several categories of mouthguards.

Entry-level mouthguards

Inexpensive, they offer minimal protection but are still better than no protection at all.

Boil-and-bite models

They are heated and then molded directly in the mouth.

Their fit is generally better and their comfort is superior.

Custom-made mouthguards

Made from a dental impression or scan, they generally offer the highest level of fit, comfort, and retention.

They are particularly appreciated by regular practitioners and competitors.

Comfort is essential

An ill-fitting mouthguard often ends up at the bottom of the gym bag.

To be worn consistently, it must:

• Stay in the mouth properly.

• Allow you to breathe.

• Allow you to talk.

• Be comfortable enough to be forgotten during training.

The best mouthguard is, above all, the one you wear at every session.

The cost of a mouthguard compared to the cost of a tooth

Many practitioners hesitate to invest in a good mouthguard.

Yet, the calculation is simple.

The price of a mouthguard is trivial compared to the potential cost of:

• A crown.

• Endodontic treatment.

• An extraction.

• A dental implant.

Prevention is almost always less expensive than treatment.

Conclusion

In combat sports, injuries are part of the game.

Dental trauma, however, can have lifelong consequences.

Whether you practice MMA, boxing, grappling, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the mouthguard remains the most important piece of protective equipment.

A good mouthguard costs little, lasts a long time, and can prevent major treatments as well as the permanent loss of a tooth.

It is likely the most cost-effective piece of equipment a fighter can buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a mouthguard mandatory in MMA?

Yes, in most competitions and strongly recommended for training.

Should you wear a mouthguard in grappling?

Yes. Even without strikes, accidental trauma happens.

Does a custom-made mouthguard provide better protection?

Its main advantage is its fit, retention, and comfort, which encourages regular use.

Can you keep training with a broken tooth?

A prompt consultation with a dental surgeon is strongly recommended to evaluate the severity of the trauma.