It was a heated grudge match. Stamp was battling Alyona Rasshohyna. The Fairtex fighter threw body kicks. She threw hooks. Her opponent struck back. Then the Muay Thai champion stepped away from her opponent. Why? She forgot her mouthpiece. A world champion fighter stopped the bout to put on her mouth piece. Why? Because she knew that fighting without one was very very risky.
There is real danger in Muay Thai. From country gyms in Isaan to stadiums in Bangkok—the real danger in this sport isn’t always what you see. It’s what you don’t. It’s the shot when you’re not looking or unaware.
Cuts from elbows can be stitched up and leave a slight scar. Hurt shins turn into hardened bones. But a damaged brain? That can change your life forever.
One of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of long term injury is to use a mouth guard. This article covers how mouth guards protect you, the danger of concussions, concussion recovery and how to mold a mouth guard.
What Do Mouth Guards Actually Protect?
Mouth guards protect more than your teeth. It helps absorb shock, and reduces the force of impact. Here’s what it actually protects:
Teeth – Mouthguards prevent teeth breaking, chipping and loss. This can especially happen with uppercuts and knees.
Jaw – To use the mouthguard you have to bite down. This helps absorb shock and reduce the chances of a broken jaw and
Soft Tissue – The area around your gums and inside of your mouth can be damaged by punches. The mouth guard prevents it from being torn up.
Skull & Brain – Mouth guards work as cushions, so when the jaw get rocked the mouth guard helps it to stay in place.
A mouthguard is a default safety system. It may not work every time but it’s the only thing that will protect you in the end.
The Real Danger: Head Trauma and Concussions
Concussions can happen anytime there is contact with the head. It doesn’t come just from knock outs. Blows of any sort can cause concussions. A jab, a hook, an accidental elbow all will rattle the brain.
Concussions are caused by the brain bouncing in the skull. The brain itself moves from side to side. This changes the chemicals in the organ and can change your balance, memory, emotions and more.
And it’s not just big shots that will cause concussions. A lot of small shots can do the same. This is especially true if there is no protection.
The Fairtex Mouth Guard helps protect you from that risk. It stabilizes the jaw helping absorb impact. It reduces the amount of shock from the blow. This makes it so your brain doesn’t rattle and cause a concussion.
How to Mold Your Fairtex Mouth Guard (The Right Way)
If you want a good mouth guard you need to make sure it fits properly. Luckily molding a mouth guard is quick and easy. All you need is a cup, some hot water, and a spoon.
Here is the process step by step.
1. Boil Water
Bring some water to a boil. It should be enough to submerge the mouthguard. Once it’s boiling remove it from heat.
2. Boil the mouth guard
Drop the mouth guard into hot water. You’ll want to keep it there for about 30-45 seconds. It’s better to under boil than to over. You want it to be soft but not melted.
3. Spoon out the mouth guard
Take the mouth guard out of the water and shake off all the extra water. Let it cool enough so it doesn’t burn.
4. Fit the mouth guard
Place the guard into the mouth and bite down. Make sure you are biting firmly. Suck out the extra air so that the guard molds tightly against your teeth and mouth. Hold it there for about 30 seconds. You want it to firm up and to mold completely.
5. Cool down mouth guard
Remove the mouth guard and rinse under cold water. This will harden the shape.
If the mouth guard is loose or doesn’t fit correctly boil it again and repeate the process. Usually it takes just one or two attempts to get a great fitting mouth guard. The guard should be snug. You should be able to breathe and talk at the same time.
Caring for Your Mouth Guard: Small Habits, Big Difference
Taking care of your mouth guard is simple. After every training session or fight give it a rinse. Once a week give it a deeper clean. Use some mild soap to get rid of any germs.
Be careful about leaving it out in the sun or near heat. It can bend the shape. The best thing to do is to keep it stored in a ventilated case. The air will keep it dry.
Mouthguards don’t last forever. Check them regularly for breaks or thinning.
Pro fighters are professional because they treat their equipment professionally. It’s a small investment in time but with a big pay off – you don’t get injured.
Small Piece of Gear, Huge Impact
When you get into the ring you’re making a bet. You’re betting on your body, your training, your instincts and your preparation. But you also need to trust your gear, expecially your mouth guard. If you can’t protect your brain you’re going to be in serious trouble.
Don’t wait until you get into trouble. Don’t wait for that first concussion or moment of seeing stars. Those moments can create long lasting damage.
Instead get a high quality and simple piece of protection. The Fairtex mouth guard. It’s affordable, easy to fit, and designed for athletes of all levels.
Your mouth guard isn’t a formality, it protects your jaw, your brain, your future.
Train hard. Train smart. Protect yourself at all times.
Author: Matt Lucas
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