There’s always some new piece of fitness equipment that makes claims to improve your strength or chisel your abs. Well now there is a “performance mouthpiece” that makes claims to help your body function more efficiently during workouts and exercise. The New York Times has an interesting story it. Great, just what some people don’t need – a device to prevent jaw fatigue. LOL. Check it out it is rather interesting.
Not your every day mouthpiece. Photo from New York Times Article.
Mr. Gillis is among a small but growing number of athletes wearing what manufacturers like to call “performance mouthpieces” while cycling, running or weight training. One of the newest tools in a performance-enhancement arsenal, these mouthpieces are light, flexible pieces of molded plastic that fit over the teeth — and are only vaguely reminiscent of that retainer from junior high school or the bulky mouth guards worn by football players.
Dentists say these high-end mouth guards can open up the airways, prevent teeth-clenching and align the jaw. Being able to take in more air while exercising has obvious benefits — more oxygen for working muscles — while a relaxed jaw can decrease stress and help an athlete’s body function more efficiently.
“There is research to support improved breathing mechanics and reduced jaw fatigue,” said Fabio Comana, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. “Depending on how you look at it, there is some truth to the claims.”
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Actually, I’ve been using a MMA type mouthpeice for a couple of years so as not to keep chipping teeth when I lift heavy.
I find that my teeth are suffering from my clenching while working out, so something like this, which looks much more lightweight than what I would get from the dentist, would become part of my workout gear.
Two of the biggest, baddest guys at my gym wear a mouth piece… I’ll buy.
Note the price on these – $500. These are not ordinary mouth-pieces that you buy at local sports store.
$500.00? Holy S#*t !!!
in the article I linked to…
The Makkar Pure Power Mouthguard (or PPM, as the company calls it) was introduced in 2006 and costs from $595 to $2,250, not counting the dentist’s fee..
Under Armour’s line of Performance Mouthwear was introduced in September with a basic price of $495.
Powerlifter Shawn Frankl is using the Under Armour performance mouthpiece:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDNRKsjHB-8 . I can’t wait to get mine.