Wrestling Mouthguards: Choosing a Custom Guard
Wrestling is close contact from the first whistle: takedowns, scrambles, mat returns and heads, elbows and knees all within inches of your face. Mouthguards help protect against chipped, cracked or knocked-out teeth in sports with a high risk of falls or contact. In wrestling, the guard also has to let you breathe hard through every period. This guide covers how to pick a wrestling mouthguard, why we recommend NanoBite, and how teams order.
Stock, boil-and-bite or custom?
Stock guards are pre-formed and offer basic protection. Boil-and-bite guards are softened in hot water and bitten into for a closer fit. Custom-fit guards, like AlienGuards, are made from an impression of your own teeth, which gives the most comfortable and secure fit. A custom guard does not slip or fall out, and it is easier to keep in for a full practice. Custom guards usually cost more than over-the-counter options. You are paying for that fit, comfort and durability. More on the difference: why custom mouthguards outperform boil-and-bite.
Our pick for wrestling: NanoBite
NanoBite ($94.99) is the AlienGuard we recommend for wrestling. It is our ultra-slim, lowest-profile guard and the best of our models for breathing and talking, so you can breathe hard in a scramble and still hear and answer your coach. It is the same guard we recommend for football and team sports like hockey and basketball.
- Base colors: Clear, White or Black.
- Custom text: up to 3 characters, such as your jersey number or initials, in a choice of 16 fonts and a range of text colors, including metallic and satin finishes.
- Extras: Impression Storage keeps your model on file and takes 20% off future reorders. Expedited Lab Service (3 Day) is available if you are working to a deadline.
See every NanoBite option in the NanoBite collection.
How thick should a wrestling guard be?
Choose by how hard you get hit, not by the size of your mouth. Our sizing and fit guide puts wrestling with grappling and other sports where hits are less direct, the group we make 4 mm guards for. Our 5 mm combat guards are for boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and other sports with heavy, direct strikes. If you also train MMA or kickboxing, Origin and Origin Pro are our combat guards. See the MMA mouthguard guide and the model comparison.
Wrestlers who lift
NanoBite also works for lifting. If heavy strength work is a big part of your training, PowerBite ($99.99) is our guard built for powerlifting and weightlifting.
Braces and dental work
Every order requires a liability waiver. Athletes with braces can get AlienGuards, but their dentist needs to take the impression instead of using our at-home kit, so the 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. There is no age limit, but younger athletes' teeth are still changing, so plan to replace their guard more often. Parents can read more in our guide to custom mouthguards for kids and youth athletes.
Ordering for a wrestling team
Coaches, clubs and schools can order through the AlienGuards Association:
- 20% off mouthguards and merch (all models, including NanoBite and PowerBite), with a minimum order of 5 mouthguards.
- On-site fitting to help every athlete take a good impression (minimum order and location apply).
- Models kept on file for quick replacements (minimum order; athletes 14+ without braces).
More on team programs: custom mouthguards for gyms and teams.
How ordering works
- Build and order. Pick your base color and custom text. We ship you an impression kit.
- Take your impression. Follow the impression guide at home. It takes about 10 minutes, and the putty sets in 2 minutes 30 seconds. Email us a photo of the impression, then mail it back to our lab.
- We make it. Your guard is formed on a model of your bite, pressure-formed from dental-grade material and finished by hand in the USA. It is crafted within 10–14 business days after we receive a good impression, then shipped with tracking.
Wrestling mouthguard FAQ
Which AlienGuard is best for wrestling?
NanoBite. It is our slimmest guard and the best of our models for breathing and talking.
Can I wear one with braces?
Yes. 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.
Is there a size chart?
No. Your guard is made from your own impression. The kit includes trays in more than one size. S and M trays use one set of putty, and L trays use two.
How do I clean it?
Rinse it in cool water before and after each use, and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, not toothpaste. For a deeper clean, use an effervescent denture or retainer tablet in cool water. Keep it away from heat. See how to clean and care for your mouthguard.
How often should I replace it?
We recommend every year, or sooner if it is damaged or worn. With Impression Storage you can reorder without a new impression.
More answers are in the FAQ. Football too? Read the football mouthguard guide.