Best mouthguard for no-gi that doesn't make you drool

The question of appropriate protective equipment in grappling, particularly the mouthguard, has been a recurring discussion, perhaps as far back as the early days of competitive judo. While the thread focuses on modern no-gi preferences, it is worth noting that the systematic integration of safety protocols, even for something seemingly fundamental as mouth protection, did not arrive universally or simultaneously across all grappling arts or federations.

For instance, Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan Judo, was meticulously focused on the educational and ethical aspects of judo, but the specific details of protective gear beyond the gi itself were not extensively codified in the early Kodokan literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The emphasis was often on controlled practice and the gradual introduction of techniques to minimize injury, rather than external devices. However, as judo became a global sport and eventually an Olympic discipline, the necessity for such equipment became more apparent, particularly as competition intensity increased.

The adoption of mouthguards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, by reputation, seems to have followed a similar, somewhat organic path. Early documentation of specific gear requirements in the foundational Gracie Challenges or even in the formative years of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), which was established in 1994, tends to focus more on uniform standards than on individual protective equipment like mouthguards, though their use was certainly encouraged. The IBJJF’s rulebook, in its contemporary form, mandates mouthguard use for competitors, a regulation that has likely evolved over decades rather than being a Day One decree.

The distinction between gi and no-gi, as it relates to mouthguard design, is a relatively modern concern, reflecting the specialization of training and competition types. In the era of the first ADCC World Submission Fighting Championship in 1998, the focus was primarily on the nascent no-gi ruleset itself, and while competitors surely wore mouthguards, the discourse around specific features for "no-gi" versus "gi" applications was likely less pronounced than it is in today's highly segmented market.

Ultimately, the optimal mouthguard often comes down to individual fit and comfort, a point the original poster's experience with various brands, including custom-fit options, clearly demonstrates. The physical mechanics of jaw clenching and breathing during sustained exertion like a two-to-three-hour open mat can certainly exacerbate issues like drooling, irrespective of the particular grappling discipline.

I wonder if the perceived issues with drooling or retention are more related to the fit around the palate and the dental arch's unique contours than to a fundamental flaw in the design principles of the mouthguards themselves, even the custom-molded ones.

Alright, let's get into this mouthguard drama because frankly, the HoG Historian is out here trying to give us a dissertation on the geopolitical implications of gum shields when all we want is to not choke on our own spit. For my money, if you're drooling like a Saint Bernard after a road trip, you're wearing the wrong thing and probably for the wrong reasons.

The dirty little secret about mouthguards, especially in no-gi, is that 90% of you don't actually need one. There, I said it. We’ve all been conditioned to believe that if you’re not looking like a hockey player on the mats, you’re somehow unprotected. But what exactly are we protecting against in most no-gi scenarios? Getting your teeth knocked out by a flying knee? Sure, if you're rolling with a particularly enthusiastic Muay Thai crossover who forgot what sport he's in. But for the vast majority of grappling exchanges, the risk of a true impact that warrants a molded piece of plastic armor is incredibly low.

Think about it: when was the last time you saw a professional grappler, outside of maybe ADCC superfights where a headbutt could genuinely be an issue during a frantic scramble, wearing a mouthguard that actually stayed in and didn’t look like they were trying to chew gum and talk at the same time? Mikey Musumeci, for all his grappling wizardry, doesn't rock one. Neither do most of the top guys at WNO. They might wear them for the walk-out or in the warm-up room because sponsors, sure, but once the clock starts, they're often tucked away. The only time I’ve seen them truly necessary is when the rule set invites something like a head-to-head collision, or perhaps in a particularly chaotic scrum for an ankle pick.

The real contested variable here isn't the mouthguard itself, it's the *perceived* risk versus the *actual* benefit. That "custom-fit from my dentist" job for $400? Absolute scam if your main concern is drooling or it falling out. A mouthguard that doesn’t fit perfectly – and by perfectly, I mean you can talk, breathe, and not have it shift even a millimeter – is worse than useless. It's a choking hazard and a distraction. You’re trading a nearly non-existent risk of a chipped tooth for a guaranteed detriment to your breathing and focus.

So, for those 2-3 hour open mats, here’s my take: if you’re truly worried about a freak accident, fine, get *any* basic boil-and-bite that you can cut down to barely cover your upper front teeth. Make it minimal. But honestly, I'd say 70% of you are better off without one, focusing on not getting smashed, and saving your saliva for digestion. The other 30% are probably training with people who confuse BJJ with street fighting.

Am I saying your teeth are worthless? No. I’m saying the average no-gi roll isn't a dental hazard. Prove me wrong. Tell me about the time a consensual collar tie resulted in a broken incisor.

The drooling is a non-issue. You're trying to talk and drink water with it in? Just put it in when you're live and take it out between rolls. Anyone saying otherwise probably thinks the break between rounds at IBJJF Worlds is for sipping coconut water. HoG Drama Desk is right, some of these takes are wild.

I've used a Venum Challenger for years, the basic boil-and-bite for like $20. Never had it fall out, never had issues breathing. I don't get the hype around custom guards unless you're talking pro boxing or something. We're grappling, not getting punched in the face for 12 rounds. If it stays in for a hard EBI match, it's good enough for an open mat. Focus on not getting your jaw cranked in a twister, not your saliva production.

Jay is right, you just take it out. I've been at Gracie Barra for four years now, and the routine is pretty standard: mouthguard in for drilling, in for live rolls, out for instruction. No one's trying to sip water with it in during a round, that's just asking for trouble.

My GB affiliate has a strict 'no talking during instruction' rule anyway, so it's not like you're having conversations with it in. The custom one from my dentist fits well enough that it doesn't fall out, but I'd still be drooling if I left it in for a full hour. I don't see the big deal. It's just part of the gear, like taping your fingers.

Jay and Tom, the idea of just taking it out between rounds sounds good on paper, but it's not always practical. When you're trying to fit three classes a week around work and getting the kids to bed, those short breaks are for catching your breath, maybe wiping some sweat, and getting ready for the next five-minute round. Fumbling with a mouthguard, taking it out, putting it back in – that’s just more hassle.

I've been wearing one for over 12 years now, usually the cheaper boil-and-bite ones you can get for 20 bucks. Yeah, you drool a bit. It’s a mouthguard. It's not going to be like not having one in. But I'm not spitting it out every 90 seconds like it's a piece of gum. If it falls out, it means I'm probably too tired to keep my jaw shut anyway. Focus on the roll, not the saliva.

Jay and Tom are talking about a perfect world where the only thing on your mind is the next roll, which isn't the reality for most of our students. We're running six classes a day at my gym, and the priority for many isn't just performance. It's about getting through the session without feeling like they're drowning in their own spit. I've had parents ask for refunds for their kids because they just couldn't deal with the drooling from a mouthguard during the 4:30 pm kids class. If a student is constantly taking it out and putting it back in, they're more likely to forget it, lose it, or just stop wearing it. The ideal solution needs to be practical for someone who’s been on their feet all day, not just the full-time competitor.