April 14, 2019 0:00

// Boxing and martial arts

Protective equipment is an essential element for safe and comfortable sports. Especially when it comes to martial arts: boxing, taekwondo, aikido. One of the most important elements of equipment here is a mouth guard: it reliably protects the jaw and teeth from damage during a duel. It also reduces the force of the impact that falls on the jaw area: the likelihood of concussion, as well as injuries to the cervical spine, decreases. Therefore, it is worth choosing and buying a mouth guard for boxing or wrestling for everyone, even a novice athlete. The main task is not to get lost among the huge assortment, and also to properly cook the boxing mouth guard before use.

Let’s start with the theory. By design, it is a special pad on the athlete’s jaw, made of durable but elastic material. The most popular materials of manufacture:

• A special gel is soft, but provides proper protection. Gel products are comfortable for the athlete, do not rub and have flexibility. For this reason, children’s caps for boxing, martial arts are most often made of gel.
• Thermoplastic is a universal solution. Thermoplastic provides reliable protection, fits well to the teeth. He is able to simultaneously restrain and soften the blow.
• Plastic is the most budget option. Among the disadvantages – plastic pads do not hold their shape well, and also have low strength.
• Silicone is a soft, flexible material that holds tightly on the jaw. It costs more than plastic.
• Rubber is a fairly tough option. Rubber linings are highly durable and last a long time. The ability to soften blows is average.

The material of manufacture plays a key role in the convenience, as well as in the protective properties of this item of equipment. But there are other characteristics that affect the final choice. Next, let’s talk about which caps are better for boxing and other sports.

Which cap to choose: nuances that are worth considering

Choosing a mouth guard is a responsible task. The ideal product for sports (boxing, taekwondo, American football) should:

• Securely attached to the jaw, holding well on the teeth.
• Do not be felt during wear and do not interfere with the bite.
• Do not cause discomfort, a feeling of pressure, or, worse, a gag reflex.
• Do not interfere with normal breathing.
• Have a neutral or pleasant smell.

There are two types of caps: some are attached to the upper jaw (single–jawed), others – on two jaws (double-jawed). It is said that it is easier to breathe in a double-jawed mouthpiece, since there is a special hole in it. Pay special attention to the material of the mouth guard from which it is made. In no case can the mouth guard be thin and soft. Products of well-known brands have all the necessary qualities, but they are quite expensive.

Tip: before you buy a mouth guard, check with the sellers for what kind of sport this mouth guard is intended for. After all, there are now so many “universal” things that will not work 100% in any of the sports.

Products for any kind of sport should have an optimal thickness: they should not be thin and not too thick. How to choose a mouth guard by size, acceptable thickness values:

• The front side is from 3 to 4 mm.
• The sky is 2 mm .
• The lower part is 2 mm.

How to choose a mouth guard for a child: we recommend consulting with a dentist. The children’s jaw is actively growing, so it is important that the equipment does not harm the bite, and is also elastic enough. It must be changed regularly: as soon as the size of the jaw changes. The priority is thermoplastics, as well as gel products.

Which cap to choose: a brief overview of Shock Doctor products

To make your choice easier, let’s consider one of the most popular options – Shock Doctor boxing caps. This type of products has received considerable approval from customers. The reason for this is high quality. Shock products are made of gel. This provides:

• Good fit to the teeth – keeps on the jaw even during strong blows.
• Comfortable wear – the soft inner layer does not rub, does not cause irritation. Therefore, Shock Doctor products are great for athletes of any age.
• High level of protection – mitigation of blows reduces the risk of injury, concussion.

The Shock Doctor boxing cap can have a two- or three-layer design, which guarantees increased strength. The products are available in various sizes.

Which cap to choose: features of Everlast products

The Everlast boxing cap is also a very popular option. Such products are made of elastic materials, most often from gel. The construction consists of a rigid base (rubber) covered with several layers of gel. The last gel layer is soft, pleasant to the touch. Therefore, the device will not cause discomfort during wear.

Thanks to the wide variety, in the assortment of the Everlast brand, you can find an option for any athlete, regardless of age and level of training. Advantages of Everlast products:

• Excellent protection for teeth and jaw, reducing the risk of injury.
• Durability – it will surely last a whole season and even more.
• Safety – the materials from which these devices are made are strictly controlled. Therefore, they are non-toxic, do not cause allergies.

Tip: store Everlast, Shock Doctor and any other products in a plastic box that is well ventilated. After each competition / training, the product must be cleaned with a toothbrush and paste, and then rinsed with water.

How often you need to change this device: as it wears out. If you accidentally bit through the product, or any other damage appeared on it, then you should purchase a new one.

What influences the final cost?

During the selection of the cap, everyone is interested in one more question – the price, or how much money will have to be spent on the purchase. A good cap for boxing cannot be too cheap, because its manufacture is a process that requires time and professionalism. Cheap products are of low quality, and also need to be replaced quickly.

The cost of a cap for boxing and other sports is affected by:

• Material of manufacture.
• Design features.
• Brand-manufacturer.

We recommend trusting trusted brands, as well as paying special attention to the characteristics of equipment (material, thickness, dimensional data, and much more). After all, a high–quality product is the key to your safety during sports.

How to cook kapu correctly?

Having decided on the choice of a mouth guard suitable for you, you can proceed to the next stage – the preparation of the mouth guard. Why cook it? It’s simple – in order to “fit” it to size, make it perfect for your jaw. To do this, we will need:

• Two deep containers for cold and hot water, in which the product will be placed. Suitable bowls, cups, deep bowls.
• Kitchen tongs or a skimmer, which can be used to get equipment out of the water. In extreme cases, a regular spoon will do.
• A kettle to boil water.

When everything you need is already at hand, we proceed directly to the process: now we will tell you how to cook the mouth guard correctly. So, the process is as follows:

Learn more about how to apply a mouth guard to your teeth: press the edges of the product with your fingers around the perimeter of the outer and inner sides of the jaw and hold it in your mouth for 3-4 minutes. Fix the result — immerse the device in cold water. Tooth prints should be clear and deep, the mouth guard should hold perfectly on the upper teeth, and when you press the mouth guard in the area of the front teeth, it should not bend. After that, the mouth guard will acquire a suitable shape; if something does not suit you, you can digest the mouth guard again. And remember that a good mouth guard is a guarantee of the integrity of your teeth.