Why You Need a Mouthguard for BJJ and Jiu-Jitsu
Although there’s no striking in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), a mouthguard is still an important piece of protective gear—especially during sparring, rolling, and live training. BJJ is a fast-paced sport where athletes are constantly moving, scrambling, changing positions, and applying pressure. Even without intentional strikes, accidental contact can happen at any moment.
When you’re rolling, your body can be pushed, pulled, or driven in unexpected directions. A knee, shoulder, elbow, head, or another part of your training partner’s body can make contact with your face or jaw. Sudden movements can also cause your teeth to come together unexpectedly. A mouthguard provides a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, helping reduce the risk of painful dental injuries during those accidental collisions.
Accidental Contact Happens in BJJ
One of the biggest misconceptions about mouthguards is that they’re only necessary for sports involving punches and kicks. While mouthguards are obviously essential for striking sports like boxing and MMA, grapplers can benefit from wearing one too.
During a hard roll, you may get taken down, swept, stacked, or caught in an awkward scramble. Your jaw can move suddenly as you react to the position, and your teeth can clash together with surprising force. Contact can come from different angles, including underneath the jaw, along the side of the face, or during an unexpected collision with your training partner.
These aren’t traditional strikes, but accidents happen. I’ve seen people bash their mouths and even break their teeth simply because they weren’t wearing a mouthguard during training. A dental injury can mean much more than a painful training session—it can lead to expensive dental work and time away from the mats.
Protect Your Teeth While You Train
A quality BJJ mouthguard provides an added layer of protection for your teeth during intense grappling and rolling sessions. It’s a simple piece of protective equipment that can become just as routine as your gi, rashguard, belt, or other training gear.
Wearing a mouthguard can also give you greater confidence when training. Instead of worrying about accidentally biting your tongue or clashing your teeth during a scramble, you can stay focused on your technique, positioning, and your training partner.
For beginners, experienced practitioners, and competitive BJJ athletes alike, protecting your teeth is an easy precaution that makes sense. You don’t have to wait until you experience a dental injury to realize how valuable a mouthguard can be.
A Small Piece of Gear That Can Make a Big Difference
BJJ requires close contact, explosive movement, and constant physical adjustment. Even when both athletes are training safely and responsibly, unexpected collisions are part of the sport. That’s why having a properly fitted mouthguard in your training bag is a smart habit.
Whether you’re drilling techniques, practicing takedowns, rolling lightly, or going through a hard sparring session, a mouthguard adds another layer of protection between your teeth and the unexpected.
Protect your smile. Stay focused on your training. Keep rolling.
Ready to protect your teeth on the mats? Check out the REVGEAR Mouth Guards collection and find the right mouthguard for your next BJJ or Jiu-Jitsu training session.