Mouthpiece Comfort and Replacements

A bad mouthpiece can ruin your dive. Jaw fatigue, bite marks, dry mouth, or even a regulator slipping out of your mouth mid-dive can all trace back to a poorly fitted or worn-out mouthpiece. It's one of the cheapest and easiest upgrades you can make — but only if you're using your own regulator.

Rental Mouthpieces: Don’t Expect Comfort

Most rental regs use stiff, generic mouthpieces that are often old, chewed up, or poorly sized. And no, the shop’s not going to let you change it. If you want a comfortable mouthpiece, bring your own regulator — it's that simple.

Signs Your Mouthpiece Doesn’t Fit

If you’re experiencing any of these, the mouthpiece probably isn’t right for you:

• You feel jaw soreness or fatigue during or after the dive.
• You find yourself clenching harder over time to keep it in.
• It shifts or pulls when you turn your head.
• You notice bite marks, gum irritation, or rawness post-dive.
• It feels loose, slippery, or overly bulky in your mouth.

It’s Not Just the Mouthpiece — Hose Routing Matters

Even the best mouthpiece will feel wrong if your regulator hose is fighting you.

• Too short? It pulls on your jaw.
• Too long or poorly routed? It drags and creates side torque.

Before blaming the mouthpiece, check how your second stage hose is routed and whether the hose length matches your body position and diving style. A small adjustment can make a huge difference.

Aftermarket Options (If You Own Your Regs)

• Comfy/Ergonomic Mouthpieces: Softer silicone, longer bite tabs, better grip with less clenching.
• Moldable / Boil-and-Bite: Custom-fitted to your teeth like a mouthguard — very popular with divers who do longer dives or have had dental work.
• Small-Profile Mouthpieces: Great for smaller mouths, kids, or anyone who finds standard sizes overwhelming or fatiguing.
• Winged or Orthodontic Styles: Reduce bite pressure by distributing force more evenly — worth testing, but some find them bulky.

Usage Tips

• Bring a spare mouthpiece and zip tie in your save-a-dive kit. It takes almost no space and can save your dive.
• Check both your primary and backup regs — both should have mouthpieces that fit and feel secure.
• Replace yours when it starts to feel loose or shows signs of tearing — don’t wait for it to fail mid-dive.
• If you're flying somewhere and relying on rental gear, don't expect to “upgrade” the mouthpiece. Bring your own regs if you care about comfort.