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.
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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 McTigue. 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.
Athlete Profiles
In January 2017, James DeGale found himself in New York City battling Badou Jack to hold onto his super-middleweight world title.
The good news: he kept his title.
The bad news: he sacrificed two teeth to make it happen.
Although DeGale was wearing a mouthguard at the time, it wasn’t secure and as a result kept on falling out. It took him six months to recover from the dental injuries alone.
Which Makura Mouthguard Is Best for Boxers?
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 for things like:
Fit
Certification
Features
Compare Makura Mouthguards
- Comes with a removable strap you can use to attach your mouthguard to your helmet.
- Boasts the highest level of impact resistance (Level 3) attainable for mouth-adapted mouthguards.
- Features a SHOKBLOKER™ outer, FLEXICORE™ inner, and GELFORM™ liner for unparalleled shock absorption and comfort.
- CE approved and certified.
- Comes with a removable strap you can use to attach your mouthguard to your helmet.
- Is Level 2 impact resistant.
- Features a SHOKBLOKER™ outer and GELFORM™ liner for maximum protection.
- CE approved and certified.
- Available in two sizes—senior (ages 11 and over) and junior (ages 10 and under)—and up to nine colour combinations.
- Comes with a removable strap you can use to attach your mouthguard to your helmet.
- Is Level 2 impact resistant, the highest achievable for ready-made mouthguards.
- The ORTHO Channel fits over fixed braces for a secure fit.
- Features a SHOKBLOKER™ body for maximum shock absorption and SLIPSAFE pads that prevent it from
- Available in a convertible version that comes with a strap you can use to attach your mouthguard to your helmet. The strap is fully detachable, so you can also wear your mouthguard without it if preferred.
- The TOKA™ is Level 2 Impact Resistant.
- The SHOKBLOKER™ outer keeps players safe, while the BOIL & BITE™ fit ensures uncompromised comfort.
- CE approved and certified.
- Available in two sizes—senior (ages 11 and over) and junior (ages 10 and under)—and six colour combinations.
- Available in strapped and strapless versions.
- Made with a tough SHOKBLOKER™ outer, AIRTHRU channel, and SLIPSAFE pads.
- Available in two sizes—junior (ages 10 and under) and senior (ages 11 and over)—and two colours, clear and black.