Okay, so I’ve been getting more into UFC lately, and I noticed all the fighters wear mouthguards. Obviously, right? But it got me thinking, “I should probably get one for my sparring sessions.” I’m not getting punched in the face that hard, but better safe than sorry.
So, I started looking into it. First, I just googled “UFC mouthguard”. I wanted to see what the pros use, you know? See if there’s some secret, super-protective brand.
I quickly discovered that there were different * is the kind you can buy at shop, or you can go to a dentist to customize one.I thought customized is perfect for me, but it is expensive.
- boil-and-bite mouthguards.
- custom-fit mouthguards.
After reading a bunch of forum posts and reviews, I decided to go with a decent boil-and-bite one. I just wanted something that would offer basic protection, and I didn’t want to spend a fortune. Plus, messing with boiling water seemed kind of fun.
I ordered one online, I read instructions and boiled water. It was surprisingly easy.I used hot, but not boiling, water to make the model soften and not be scalded. I put it in my mouth, bit down, and sucked out the air to get a good fit. It felt a little weird at first, like having a giant piece of gum stuck in my mouth, but I got used to it.
Then came the real test: sparring. I went to my usual gym, put in my new mouthguard, and got to work. I have to say, it felt pretty good! I wasn’t worried about chipping a tooth or biting my tongue, which let me focus more on my technique.
I even took a couple of accidental shots to the jaw, and the mouthguard definitely helped. It wasn’t like getting hit with a pillow or anything, but it dulled the impact. I’m pretty sure I would have felt those hits a lot more without it.
My Conclusion?
Getting a mouthguard was a good move. It’s a small investment for a lot of peace of mind. And honestly, it makes me feel a little bit tougher, like a real fighter, even if I’m just a weekend warrior.I think every warrior need it!
