How Thick Should a Mouthguard Be? 4 mm vs 5 mm vs 6 mm
Mouthguard thickness is one of the few choices that really changes how a guard feels and protects. Too thin for your sport and it has less material to absorb a hit. Thicker than you need and it can make breathing and talking harder than they have to be. Here is how we decide thickness at AlienGuards, and how to choose yours.
The short answer
Choose by how hard you get hit, not by the size of your mouth.
- 4 mm for non-combat sports where hits are less direct: jiu-jitsu, wrestling, grappling, basketball, baseball and similar sports.
- 5 mm for combat sports with heavy, direct strikes: boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing. 5 mm is the industry standard for competitive combat sports. The extra material absorbs more force.
- 6 mm is an optional High Impact upgrade on Origin Pro (+$15), for super high-impact training and fights.
Thickness by sport and model
| Sport | Thickness group | Our pick |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing | 5 mm (6 mm optional on Origin Pro) | Origin or Origin Pro |
| Wrestling, BJJ, grappling | 4 mm | NanoBite |
| Basketball, baseball and other sports where hits are less direct | 4 mm | NanoBite |
| Football, rugby, hockey, lacrosse and other team sports | 4 mm (slim team-sport guard) | NanoBite |
| Powerlifting and weightlifting | Not about impact | PowerBite |
For team sports, NanoBite is our pick: it is our slimmest guard, at 4 mm, and the best of our models for breathing and talking. Our football guide and hockey and lacrosse guide explain why.
Why thicker isn't always better
More material means more to absorb a direct strike, which is why fighters wear 5 mm. But if your sport is mostly about running, breathing hard and talking to teammates, a bulkier guard works against you, and a guard you don't want to wear doesn't protect anyone. That is why we built NanoBite ultra-slim and low profile for wrestling, BJJ, football, rugby and team sports like hockey, basketball and lacrosse.
Fighters have the same trade-off at 5 mm. Origin Pro has the same 5 mm protection as Origin, with more breathability and comfort. If you are not sure whether your training counts as combat, read boxing vs. MMA mouthguards or our MMA and BJJ guide, which covers striking days vs. grappling days.
What about lifting?
Lifters don't choose a guard for impact. PowerBite ($99.99) is built to give you a stable, even platform to clench on under heavy load, so your bite stays consistent rep after rep. Our other guards also work for lifting.
Fit matters as much as thickness
The right thickness only helps if the guard stays where it belongs. Stock and boil-and-bite guards are shaped to a guess. Every AlienGuard is formed on a model poured from an impression of your own teeth, so it is more comfortable and secure. It does not slip or fall out, and it is easier to wear for long sessions. There's no size chart. Our sizing and fit guide explains impression trays and thickness, and why custom mouthguards outperform boil-and-bite covers the difference in fit.
Kids, braces and replacement
- Kids and youth athletes: there is no age limit, and thickness is chosen the same way, by sport. Younger players' teeth are still changing, so plan to replace their guard more often. See custom mouthguards for kids and youth athletes.
- Braces: you can still get an AlienGuard, but your dentist needs to take your impression instead of using our at-home kit, so your braces don't get damaged. Your dentist can take an impression or 3D scan, then ship it to us or email it to impressions@alienguards.com.
- Replacement: we recommend replacing your guard every year, or sooner if it becomes damaged or worn. Choose Impression Storage when you build, and we keep your model on file for future reorders.
FAQ
How thick is a boxing mouthguard?
Ours are 5 mm, the industry standard for competitive combat sports. Origin Pro also offers a High Impact 6mm upgrade.
How thick should a wrestling or BJJ mouthguard be?
We put wrestling, jiu-jitsu and grappling in the 4 mm group, where hits are less direct. See our wrestling mouthguard guide.
How thick should a basketball mouthguard be?
Basketball is in our 4 mm group. See our basketball mouthguard guide.
Does mouth size change the thickness I need?
No. Your guard is made from your impression, so it fits your mouth. Thickness is chosen by sport and how hard you get hit.
Still deciding? Compare all four models or read the FAQ.