hey, just started bjj a few weeks ago. I got a couple "fat lips" from getting smacked in the face and now it hurts like hell when I eat. Does anybody have a recommendation for a good mouthguard?

I have another question also. Does anybody get swollen areas on the top of their forearms? I never got these during high school wrestling but after a few days of bjj I have this big old hematoma thing on my right wrist. No discoloration, just a big lump. Doesn't hurt much but it looks funky. Just curious.

thanks, josh

The best mouthguards are ones that have a top and bottom gutter and a breathing channel, and extend back far enough to help proctect your jaw-joint a little.

Some people find that uncomfortable, though.

A mouthguard won't really help with fat lips, though, they are mostly to protect your teeth and keep them from knocking together when you fall.

I think the primary function of a mouthguard is to prevent your teeth from going through your lips. They also spread the load a little bit on teeth, but not a huge amount.

As Johnny pointed out, they probably won't save you from having fat lips.

Not to be paranoid, but if that lump doesn't show signs of improvement soon I'd be rather worried if I were you. Considered seeing a doc?

I've never gotten a bump on my wrist, or any bumps for that matter. Did someone do a wrist lock on you?

Just go see the doctor. He can end the speculation on what the bumps are.

I currently use (and recommend) the Shock Doctor (v2.0, and a couple guys have the v3.0 in class). Only for the upper teeth, cushion for the jaw, and a breathing channel so you can breathe with your jaw and teeth protected.

For the fat upper lips, quit leading your techniques with your face and roll with less spazzy white belts.

Does the lump move/depress, and is it over the wrist joint or the forearm?

I still use a walmart mouthguard. I know of 2 occassions this year that it saved me from losing a tooth.

I bought a more expensive one but it was freakin HUGE in my mouth. I trimmed and trimmed and trimmed but finally decided it was just going to be a distraction and kept my old one in the gym bag.

Just put some rocks in your mouth.

PL

EDIT: And glass.

I am either with Poop Loops or with JohnnyCache on this one I cant decide which . In reality I use one that is somewhere in between the two suggestions .

My mouthguard is very cheap with a top channel only, and it restricts my breathing alot ( bad sinus's and allergies) . I dont recommend using one like this unless your broke or dont have anything else . I am ordering one with a top and bottom channel with a space for your ki . A good mouthguard shouldnt cost you more than 10 bucks .. and thats a VERY expensive mouth peice .

I'm using the Shock Dr. Power Ultra. It costs $20, but it's a single channel mouthguard with a "bridge" on the back for supporting the mandible (it's the only single channel mouthguard I've seen that has similar mandible support to the double channel ones).

I can talk (sort of) and breathe, and more importantly, I don't drool like I'm grappling with swimsuit models.

I got a mouthguard made by a dentist and love it because it fits perfectly. Worth the extra money I think.

Yeah, I'll have to get one of those. My jaw is fucked up in that it pops on the left side when I open my mouth too much and the jaw muscles on the left side also cramp up. Sometimes randomly and usually when I wear my normal shock doctor one. Dentist said if I got one custom made, it would be much better.

PL

thanks for the advice on the mouthguards. I was actually at the dentist recently for a checkup and he told me I need to wear a mouthguard when I sleep. The ones he sells cost $400!

Looking on the internet at a couple mouthguards I am now totally confused. What is the difference between double and single channel and can you breathe through your mouth with those things on?

Night guard for grinding teeth, right? I need one of those, too. I just bought one for $25 from Rite Aide or whatever.

PL

thanks for the advice on the mouthguards. I was actually at the dentist recently for a checkup and he told me I need to wear a mouthguard when I sleep. The ones he sells cost $400!

Looking on the internet at a couple mouthguards I am now totally confused. What is the difference between double and single channel and can you breathe through your mouth with those things on?

Single channel usually sits pretty tight on your upper teeth allowing you to suck in more air as your conditioning fails you. But that does nothing for protecting your jaw bone and preventing concussions. The Double channel one forces you to clamp down with your lower jaw/mandible which properly aligns it as well as allowing a space at the joint to prevent or at least help reduce the risk of a concussion.

The double channel ones have a slit in the middle (front, but I don't remember if any have them on the sides as well), but as you breathe hard, you sometimes start drooling, and feel like you're breathing through a straw. Some people usually gag on them as well.

If you value your teeth AND don't want your jaw broken, a double is your safest (though not 100%) bet. If you don't like'em, I really do suggest that Shock Dr. Power Ultra. It's the only single channel one I found that's rated to support the mandible like a double channel. I got a few friends to switch to that one as well. One more thing...it also has a tab right behind the front teeth that you have to press on with your tongue to keep it secure, which prevents any tongue damage if you're having fantasies of being Michael Jordan on the mats.

I don't thnik there's much point in getting a double for BJJ. You shouldn't be copping too many really hard blows to the jaw in bjj. I use my mouthguard mostly to prevent my upper teeth going through my lips.