Should You Wear A Mouthguard In BJJ?

A long-discussed debate within Jiu-Jitsu is the topic of wearing a mouthguard. In this article, we’ll discuss if you should wear a mouthguard for BJJ?

The pro-wearing a mouthguard in BJJ camp has a lot of good points, but so does the anti mouthguard camp. We’ll go over each side’s arguments and answer the question: Should you wear a BJJ mouthguard?

Is It Compulsory To Wear A Mouthguard In BJJ?

Unfortunately, wearing a mouthguard in BJJ is not compulsory, but it should be. It should be mandatory to wear a mouthguard for BJJ like it is in MMA or kickboxing.

In BJJ, wearing your mouthguard should be as compulsory as putting on your Gi.

Why Should You Wear A Mouthguard in BJJ?

Wearing a mouthguard in BJJ should be commonplace, but we’ll give you a few reasons why you should wear one. Here are three important reasons why you should wear a mouthguard in BJJ.

Mouthguards Prevent Damage In BJJ

There is no striking in Jiu-Jitsu, but sometimes accidents can happen, whether you’re rolling with a spazzy white belt or caught up in an aggressive rolling round.

You can end up taking a hard shot to your mouth that could potentially break your teeth. If you took the safety precaution and wore a mouthguard, you will lessen the damage from the accidental hit.

By wearing your mouthguard while doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, you will likely avoid a trip to the dentist.

Mouthguards Help Prevent BJJ Concussions

Not only do mouthguards protect your mouth from damage, they also protect your brain. Mouthguards are also designed with shock absorbant technology that minimizes the impact of shots to the head.

When you don’t wear a mouthguard, your brain absorbs all of the impact, significantly increasing the likelihood of receiving a concussion.

A small piece of equipment could protect you from severe brain damage and keep you on the mat training.

Avoid Biting Your Tongue

If you’ve trained for an extended period of time and don’t wear a mouthguard, the chances are you’ve bitten your tongue. It is excruciating, and the wound can get infected due to the bacteria in your mouth.

Wearing a mouthguard during BJJ training will lower the likelihood of accidentally biting your tongue. While wearing one, you may still bite your tongue, but the damage will be less severe.

Why Do Some BJJ Practitioners Choose Not To Wear A Mouthguard in BJJ?

On the other side of the debate, many BJJ practitioners choose not to wear a mouthguard. Let’s go over some of the reasons why they don’t wear a mouthguard during BJJ training.

Hard to breathe

One of the big reasons some BJJ practitioners don’t wear a mouthguard is that they can make it harder to breathe. You have to maintain a constant breathing rhythm so as not to pass out when you roll.

A mouthguard can interrupt a BJJ practitioner’s breathing pattern and negatively affect their training. This is why many BJJ practitioners refuse to wear mouthguards during BJJ training.

Mouthguards Can Be Uncomfortable

The other reason that some BJJ practitioners don’t like wearing mouthguards is that they can be uncomfortable. A bad mouthguard can have some adverse effects on your training.

A poorly fitted mouthguard can cause several issues, including cutting your gums or forming an ulcer. Many anti-mouthguard BJJ practitioners would prefer not to wear one than get an ulcer or cut from a bad mouthguard.

Should You Wear A Mouthguard In BJJ?

So, what’s the verdict? Should you wear a mouthguard in BJJ or not? The answer is yes; you should wear a mouthguard in BJJ.

There is no striking in BJJ, but accidents do happen, and you could get your teeth damaged from an accidental strike. That is why you should wear a mouthguard for BJJ because it’s better than paying for expensive dental surgery.

Always keep your teeth protected during Jiu-Jitsu training by wearing a mouthguard. You’ll stay on the mat training and avoid an expensive trip to the dentist.