It’s not always so easy to get your hands on the kind of equipment that professional MMA fighters use daily.
Sometimes it’s down to a problem of getting the same quality, and other times just an issue with the price. Thankfully, Impact Mouthguards came along and offered a custom mouthguard solution that any amateur fighter can get at a very reasonable price range.
In this article, I will share my full Impact Mouthguards review so you can decide for yourself if they’re right for you.
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Table of Contents
Impact custom mouth guard review
Let’s get into the review, where I’ll break down the usefulness of this mouthguard option.
First up, you can get a full summary of what the Impact custom mouthguard offers below:
Quick summary
The Impact mouthguard offers something that most mouthguards simply can’t, which is that super-snug fit for your set of teeth.
With that kind of protection, you’ll have a much happier time rolling on the mat in BJJ, grappling with your sparring partner, or taking an accidental elbow to the face.
Going direct to Impact mouthguards usually offers a better price and the most optimum experience for getting your impression kit, posting it off, and receiving your custom guard in the mail.
Considering the limited options for a custom-fit mouthguard, and at this level of quality, I think Impact Mouthguards is a perfect option if you’re planning to go heavier in contact sports like fighting.
Better to be safe than sorry. Your teeth will thank you!
Why choose an Impact custom mouth guard
Impact offers something that is usually difficult to get, a complete custom-fit mouth guard for your teeth to use in heavy contact sports, like sparring.
A common boil-and-bite mouthguard can only offer a fairly loose impression of your teeth because it doesn’t fully surround your teeth and gums.
At best, they usually protect the very front of your teeth. And they don’t fit as snugly as a custom one can.
The more distance there is between the materials and your teeth, the less a mouthguard will be actually protecting your teeth or jaw from a heavy knockout blow.
A custom-fit mouthguard offers a minimal amount of space between the materials of the guard and your teeth and gums, which gives you greater protection.
And that’s where Impact Mouthguards come in.
They offer a full top set (of your teeth) impression surrounding the gums. The resulting custom mouthguard you get surrounds more of your teeth and gums and more tightly.
A good custom fit means more protection for your jaw, teeth, and brain.
Impact Custom Mouthguards are trusted by athletes across America and even internationally, at a wide range of levels, from amateur to professional.
And including martial artists across different disciplines like boxers, Muay Thai fighters, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grapplers, and Mixed Martial Artists.
The good and the bad about Impact’s mouthguards
You probably think the Impact Custom Mouthguards sounds too good to be true.
Well, every great product still has its downfalls. Let’s look at some of the things you might want to consider for and against them.
Advantages of Impact Custom Mouthguards
The Impact Custom Mouthguards offer professional-grade quality at a price point significantly more affordable than dentist-created options, while maintaining the same excellent protection standards.
What sets Impact apart is their extensive customization options – you can select from countless colors and designs to create a guard that reflects your personal style.
The convenience factor is impressive too: they keep your impression on file after your first order, making replacements quick and hassle-free when needed.
Their mouthguards are designed to work effectively regardless of dental imperfections, accommodating those with missing or crooked teeth without compromising protection.
Health-conscious fighters will appreciate that all materials are hypoallergenic and BPA-free. For those in a rush before competition, Impact’s 2-Day lab service ensures you can get your custom guard quickly when timing is critical.
Limitations to Consider
While Impact Custom Mouthguards offer superior protection, they do come with a substantially higher price tag compared to standard boil-and-bite options available at most sporting goods stores.
The convenience of walking into a local shop and purchasing a mouthguard immediately is lost with the custom route, which requires patience through a multi-step process. From ordering the impression kit to receiving your finished guard, you might wait up to two weeks – something to plan for well before your next competition or sparring session.
It’s also worth noting that your dental impression is likely brand-specific, limiting your ability to use it with different manufacturers if you decide to switch. Fighters who habitually chew on their mouthguards may find these custom options wear down faster than expected, potentially requiring more frequent replacements.
Perhaps the most significant limitation is that Impact’s custom guards aren’t compatible with braces, though they do offer alternative boil-and-bite options for fighters with orthodontic work.
Pros
- Market leader for martial arts mouthguards
- Professional quality at affordable price
- Much cheaper than dentist-made options
- Extensive color and design customization
- Impression kept on file for easy replacements
- Works with missing or crooked teeth
- Hypoallergenic and BPA-free materials
- Fast 2-Day lab service available
Cons
- Pricier than basic boil-and-bite guards
- No immediate availability like store options
- Up to 2-week wait from impression to delivery
- Impression likely not usable with other brands
- Wears faster for heavy chewers
- Not compatible with braces
The custom mouthguard option is good for most martial arts needs.
But it excels in Jiu-Jitsu rolling and other grappling because of how comfortable it is for longer periods of use and the common teeth grinding during it.
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
| Using for Boxing | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Using for Muay Thai | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Using for BJJ | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Using for other contact sports | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
The extra gum material added when you choose one of the martial arts options during checkout makes it a great mouthguard for absorbing heavy strikes, as well.
With more material surrounding your gums, you can get better shock absorption and save some brain cells.
Offers a better-priced alternative to the dentist
You might have had some great custom work on your shiny white teeth and decided to ask your dentist about their offerings for custom mouth guards to ensure you’re getting the maximum protection.
It’s a smart idea until you ask about the price. For many people, their dentist will offer them an insane cost for all the steps to getting your customized mouthguard.
You could even be given a price much higher than replacing teeth that get knocked out!
If it seems more affordable to just replace your teeth, then what’s the point of the dentist’s custom mouthguard?
DIY teeth impression at home
Luckily, Impact Mouthguards offer a Do-It-Yourself at-home option where you can get a great teeth impression by yourself.
Impact Mouthguards send an impression kit to your door, which includes two sets of molding putty.
By giving you two sets of putty, you’ll get a second chance if you manage to mess up the first impression.
Thankfully, though, you’ll likely find it easy enough to follow the instructions and get a great impression on the first try.
Once you send the impression back to Impact, they’ll keep it on file for you.
So you only need to get an impression once unless something significant changes with your teeth.
Then whenever you need a new custom mouthguard, you can contact Impact to get a replacement whenever your current one gets worn down.
After sending your impression to Impact, you can expect your new custom mouthguard in the post within about ten days.
Sometimes it can come much sooner, as short as a week, but Impact typically guarantees a 10-day delivery.
How to keep your custom mouthguard clean
If you’re training and sparring regularly, then you already know it can get pretty sweaty when putting in the work.
Bodily fluids are flying everywhere, and you’ll likely take your mouthguard out regularly to have a break, drink water, and talk to your training partners.
Luckily Impact custom mouthguards alleviate many of these problems, as they are so comfortable to wear that you usually won’t feel the need to take them out of your mouth.
You can breathe clearly, take a sip of your water, and even speak without too much issue whilst wearing this mouthguard.
The materials are thin enough and fit so that it doesn’t stop your usual mouth functions.
But if you want your mouthguard to last for a long time, or you’re particularly Hygenic then a mouthguard health spray will help calm those worries.
You’ll want to get a mouthguard cleaning spray that eliminates 99.9% of harmful bacteria.
A good mouthguard cleaning spray contains no harmful chemicals like alcohol or peroxide. And it’s easy to use because it’s in a bottle form.
So whenever you remove your mouthguard, rinse it with some clean water and then finish the disinfecting with a couple of sprays.
You don’t need to rub or scrub your mouthguard using a spray, either, as it’s just sprayed and put back in its container to dry out cleanly.
If you’re going to spend the money on getting a custom mouthguard, I recommend adding a cleaning spray to your purchase.
You’ll likely need it after a few uses when the paranoia sets in. Keeping your mouth clean from bacteria is always a good thing!
Alternative: Boil and Bite
If a custom mouthguard is too pricey for you, the best alternative is a regular boil-and-bite mouthguard that offers some level of molding to your teeh and jaw.
You also can’t likely use a custom mouthguard from Impact if you wear braces, but the QuickFIT boil and bite mouthguard they offer is a suitable alternative for people practicing martial arts that wear braces.
Final Say on Impact Mouthguards
If you’re a practicing martial artist, boxer, wrestler, or even studying Jiu-Jitsu, then I’m sure you will have felt the sting of a fist, elbow, or even the hard ground meeting with your face. It’s not so much fun.
Particularly not fun is when you think about the damage you could cause to your pearly whites.
But protecting your teeth and jaw is more than just about your teeth. It is vital to think about protecting your brain from any potential concussions.
In the early days of your training in any martial art, you’re not so l likely to take a hit to the mouth or face because the intensity level will be much lower.
But the moment you get involved in even light sparring (or rolling for my Jitsu friends), you should wear at least a boil-and-bite mouthguard at the minimum.
But as I’ve already described, a boil-and-bite mouthguard just won’t cut it for heavy use.
They’re uncomfortable to wear in BJJ rolling or even wrestling for sustained periods, and the protection level you’ll get is sub-par.
If you’re taking your training to a “next level” with sparring, or regular practice, get a custom mouthguard as soon as you can.
I have no doubt you’ll notice it is paying its worth the moment that elbow or knee meets your jaw.
The Impact Mouthguard offers exactly what you need for this kind of training.
