Why mouthguards matter
in Boxing
Regardless of a boxer’s age, skill level, or style, a mouthguard is undoubtedly one of the most (if not the most) important pieces of protective equipment boxers keep in their kit.
Whether they’re sparring for practice or are in the middle of a match, it only takes one punch to do some serious dental damage.
0%
of orofacial and dental traumas in contact sports happen to the upper lip, upper jaw, and front teeth.
0%
of elite athletes participating in contact sports are at risk of sustaining an orofacial injury each season.
0%
of dental injuries suffered in boxing, taekwondo, kickboxing, and Muay Thai were tooth fractures.
Which Makura mouthguard is best for Boxers?
Since Boxing is a contact sport, we would highly recommend the TEPHRA MAXTM. It boasts the highest level of impact resistance (Level 3) available for mouth-adapted mouthguards and features SHOKBLOKERTM, FLEXICORETM, and GELFORMTM technology to keep you protected and comfortable.
Remember, however, that finding the best mouthguard for you is a highly personal process. At the end of the day, the right mouthguard is the one that fits you the best.
When choosing a mouthguard for boxing, pay attention to things like:
Correct Fit
A properly fitted mouthguard keeps wearers both comfortable and safe. It should remain securely in place (no clenching required to hold it) even if you jostle it a bit with your tongue, and it shouldn’t make you gag, prevent you from speaking, or inhibit breathing in any way.
Certification
All Makura mouthguards are fully CE certified and have achieved Level 2 and Level 3 Impact Resistance. Our BOIL & BITE™ TEPHRA MAX™ is Level 3 Impact Resistant, the highest level achievable for mouth-adapted mouthguards. Our braces compatible LITHOS™ is Level 2 Impact Resistant, the highest attainable for ready-made mouthguards.
Features
Look for attributes like gel-based and flexible liners as well as shock absorbing outers that are suited to the game you play and how you play it. If you have braces, make sure you choose a braces-compatible mouthguard to keep both you and your braces safe from harm.
A brief history of mouthguards in Boxing
The story of the mouthguard is tied closely with boxing, as it is the sport in which mouthguards first got their start. Originally, individual boxers made their own mouthguards using a variety of materials like cotton, sponge, wood, and tape. They would fashion these components together to create the final product, which they would grip between their teeth during a match. There was a problem, though. As you might imagine, it was hard to focus on clenching down and fighting at the same time.
In the 1890s, London dentist Woolf Krause began making single-use "gum shields" or mouthpieces using gutta-percha, a natural rubber resin, for boxers to put over their teeth before getting in the ring. Woolf's son Philip, an amateur boxer himself, went on to make them re-usable, with the first gum shield officially entering the spotlight during a fight between Jack Britton and Ted "Kid" Lewis in 1921.
The defining moment for mouthguards in boxing, however, came in March of 1927 during a fight between Jack Sharkey and Mike Mc Tigue. For most of the match, McTigue had the edge over Sharkey and it looked like he was on his way to being declared the winner. Then by way of a chipped tooth that gashed his lip, fortune turned and forced McTigue to forfeit.
After that high-profile event, mouthguard use began to rise among boxers and ultimately spread to more sports including American Football, Rugby, Ice Hockey and others.