There’s a debate out there: Should you wear a Mouthguard for Jiu-Jitsu? I am a proponent of wearing one. And every Gym I have been to so far (11 Gyms in 6 countries) told us to wear a mouthguard when rolling.
Now, not everybody was wearing them. And I wasn’t wearing them all the time, either.
But a Mouthguard protects you from getting your teeth chipped, biting your tongue, and something that is underestimated: It protects you against concussions.
So, in this post, why wearing mouthguards is important in BJJ and why some people decide not to wear them.
Why Do People Wear Mouthguards in BJJ?
So many think that because BJJ doesn’t involve striking, it’s safe against bruises and concussions.
And I’m here to tell you: That’s wrong. While BJJ is more safe than other martial arts, concussions and bruises do happen.
I experienced accidental knees to my head, had a black eye before from BJJ, and bit my tongue more than once during BJJ practice.
I had several injuries due to BJJ.
Many also think that Mouthguards only protect your teeth. No, they also protect you from concussions. And concussions are more common in BJJ than you might think.
A recent study found that about 25% of BJJ practitioners have had a concussion. So there’s a good chance you’ll get one too. Mouthguards minimize the risk of that happening.
So why do people wear mouthguards in BJJ? Because they are necessary! They protect you. There’s a reason they are mandatory in competition and why the Gym keeps reminding you to wear them.
Why Do Some BJJ Players Not Wear Mouthguards?
Now I understand why some don’t want to wear a mouthguard. I don’t find them comfortable either.
I find it hard to talk when wearing them, and I feel like I have a harder time breathing.
So when you train often, you might feel too lazy to wear them all the time. You feel more free not wearing them.
But to be honest, it’s not that big of a deal. Just wear them, they are not the end of the world.
You’ll see some not wearing them, and that’s okay. But I don’t recommend that. Get yourself a mouthguard and take care of your teeth and head.
Final Answer: Should You Wear A Mouthguard for Jiu-Jitsu?
So the bottom line is: Wear a mouthguard. You’ll see some people out there speaking against the mouthguard. But all the reasons I have heard are because of discomfort.
But sometimes, we need to sacrifice comfort for safety.
Sometimes, I didn’t wear mouthguards, and I bit my tongue in the process. I had issues eating for a week. So they are important. Getting new teeth is important.
I understand that some won’t wear them, but it was recommended everywhere I went. So yes, you should invest in a mouthguard when you train BJJ.
