Mouthguards: boil-and-bite, custom, and when to upgrade
Boil-and-bite or custom? How to fit a mouthguard properly, why yours keeps falling out, what to do with braces, and when a custom guard is worth the money.
A mouthguard is the cheapest protective gear you'll own, and the one people think about least. Most get grabbed off the counter, fitted once in a hurry and chewed on for two years. Fitting it properly takes ten minutes, and knowing when to move to a custom guard saves you a lot of rounds spent clenching your jaw.
The two kinds you'll choose between
| Boil-and-bite | Custom | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's shaped | Softened in hot water, then you bite into it | Made in a lab from an impression of your teeth |
| Fit | Good if you fit it carefully, loose if you rush it | Exact. It stays in without clenching |
| Breathing and talking | Bulkier and harder to talk through | Easier to breathe and talk through |
| Wait | Ready the same day | A few weeks |
| Best for | Your first months, and as a spare | Weekly sparring, fights, braces or awkward teeth |
There's also the stock guard, the kind you don't mould at all. Skip it. It won't stay in, and you'll spend the round holding it in place with your jaw.
Boil-and-bite is fine to start
If you've just started training, a well-fitted boil-and-bite does the job. We carry them from Yokkao, Fairtex and Combat Corner.
Mouthguards on the shelfYokkao, Fairtex and Combat Corner mouthguards in MurrietaHow to fit a boil-and-bite
Follow the timing on the pack
Every guard is a little different. Heat it for the time the maker gives and no longer. Overheating thins the plastic and you'll bite straight through it.
Let it cool for a moment
Shake the water off and give it a few seconds so it won't burn your mouth.
Bite gently, then suck
Seat it on your top teeth, close gently, and suck the air and water out while pressing the guard up with your tongue and fingers. A hard bite goes through the plastic instead of shaping it.
Set it in cold water
Hold it in place for as long as the pack says, then put it straight into cold water.
Test it
It should stay up with your mouth open. If it drops, refit it. Most guards take a second go.
Why your mouthguard keeps falling out
- It was bitten through instead of sucked onto your teeth, or pulled out before it set.
- It's too long and hits the back of your mouth, so you keep pushing it forward. Trimming the back edge and refitting often fixes this.
- It's been refitted so many times the plastic has gone thin.
- Your teeth won't hold a generic shape. This is where a custom guard stops being a luxury.
When a custom guard is worth it
- You spar every week. You'll breathe easier and stop clenching to keep the guard in.
- You have a fight coming. You want to talk to your corner and breathe through your mouth late in a round.
- No boil-and-bite stays in, however carefully you fit it.
- You wear braces, or have gaps, missing or crooked teeth, and need a guard shaped around them.
The custom brand we point people to is Impact Mouthguards, the official mouthguard of USA Boxing. They send a kit home, you take an impression in about three minutes, and their lab builds the guard from it. Their boxing and MMA guards are made thicker than their guards for helmeted sports. The details are on the Impact brand page.
How long does a mouthguard last?
Replace it when it's cracked, torn or bitten thin, when it no longer stays in, or after dental work that changes your bite. A boil-and-bite that gets used several times a week wears out much sooner than a custom guard does.
Rinse it after every session and let it dry before it goes in the case. A wet case is worse than no case. The full routine is in gear care.
Common questions
Is a custom mouthguard better than boil-and-bite?
For fit, yes. A custom guard is made from an impression of your teeth, so it stays in without clenching and is easier to breathe and talk through. A carefully fitted boil-and-bite is still fine for your first months of training.
What's the best mouthguard for Muay Thai?
Start with a well-fitted boil-and-bite. We carry Yokkao, Fairtex and Combat Corner guards. Once you're sparring every week, a custom guard is the upgrade.
How do I fit a boil-and-bite mouthguard?
Heat it for the time on the pack, let it cool for a few seconds, then bite gently and suck the air out while pressing it against your top teeth. Set it in cold water. If it falls out, refit it.
Why does my mouthguard keep falling out?
Usually it was bitten through, pulled out before it set, or is too long at the back. Trim the back edge and refit it. If it still won't stay in, your teeth probably need a custom guard.
Can I box with braces?
Yes, with the right guard. Don't mould a boil-and-bite over brackets. Check with your orthodontist, then use a guard made for braces or a custom one.
Where can I buy a mouthguard in Murrieta?
At our counter on Murrieta Hot Springs Rd. We stock Yokkao, Fairtex and Combat Corner mouthguards.