mouthguard

Sports Mouthguards from the Dentist (video)

August 14, 2010 By Julie Frey 3 Comments

Almost all dentists (nine out of ten) say mouthguards can improve athletic performance, according to this survey.

The claim is made by the inventor of the Pure Power Mouthguard (PPM), a neuromuscular device designed to improve breathing (and therefore performance) by allowing the airways to relax.

“It is the best thing to happen to the dentistry and the public since tooth bonding agents!" raved one dentist. "This will forever change the face of sports, not to mention the dental world."

"Not only can it make athletic performance better, but it offers relief for TMJ symptoms, i.e., headaches, neck tension, etc,” said another dentist.

Filed Under: Dental Videos Tagged With: athletics, mouthguard, sports

Dentists Use Mouthguards To Treat Teeth Grinding

July 3, 2009 By Julie Frey 1 Comment

Dentists prescribe dental guards for a variety of reasons, but bruxism (teeth grinding) is the top cause. In this survey by dental management resource The Wealthy Dentist, 92% of dentist respondents reported offering guards for bruxism; many others use them to treat TMJ disorder.

“They really work!” exclaimed a Georgia dentist.

TMD was cited by 76%, while 59% offer athletic mouthguards and 40% for sleep apnea. “I've had almost 2,000 hours of continuing dental education on TMJ, Bruxism and Sleep,” said an Illinois dentist. “Too many doctors try to treat these problems with inadequate knowledge.”

Dentists can prescribe a wide range of dental guards to treat various problems. Patients who grind their teeth (a condition known as bruxism) can protect their teeth at night with a nightguard. Dental splints are also a top treatment for TMJ pain. In addition, a dental guard can protect teeth in between restorative dentistry appointments.

Athletic mouthguards are important for kids and adults who play sports. Though sports supply stores sell inexpensive ones, dentists can provide mouthguards that are of higher quality, more comfortable, and more customized. In fact, evidence suggests that one brand – the Pure Power Mouthguard, or PPM – can actually improve athletic performance by making it easier for the athlete to breathe.

Not all athletes or parents are eager to spend the money to get a top-of-the-line sports mouthguard. “We make very few athletic mouthguards,” said a Maine dentist. “Parents in our area elect the over-the-counter 'Boil & Bite' guards over custom, laboratory-fabricated mouthguards.”

A dental splint can affect the shape of a patient's airway. This can make it a useful treatment for sleep apnea and snoring, which are characterized by difficulty breathing while sleeping.

Sometimes even dentists get confused about the various forms of dental guards available. “Is there is a difference in terminology between mouth guard and occlusal guard?” asked a California dentist. “Occlusal guards or occlusal splints are specifically for protecting the teeth from bruxing and in TMJ cases. Mouthguards, on the other hand, could be used to protect the gums, lips and cheeks during sport activities.”

“There are more types of dental guards and splints available than I can count,” said dental website guru Jim Du Molin. “No single dentist can offer every single one, but the dental profession as a whole can treat a range of problems people don't always associate with dentistry, from playing sports to treating jaw pain.

Filed Under: Dental Surveys Tagged With: mouthguard, TMJ

Dentists Rave about Athletic Mouthguards

October 8, 2008 By Julie Frey 6 Comments

In this survey, we asked dentists about mouthguards and the Pure Power Mouthguard (PPM). Fully nine out of ten dentists surveyed believe mouthguards can improve athletic performance.

That’s a claim made by the inventor of the PPM, a device designed with neuromuscular principles in mind. The goal of the PPM is to improve breathing (and therefore performance) by allowing the airways to relax.

While general dentists are quite taken with the PPM, specialists are far less convinced. Of those who responded to this survey, only one in three said that a mouthguard can make you a better athlete.

Every last one of the dentists who offer the Pure Power Mouthguard believe mouthguards can improve performance, and they offered rave reviews. “Absolute improvement! It's the science behind it,” said one.

Among dentists who don’t sell the PPM, only three-quarters (77%) were convinced a mouthguard can make a better athlete.

"The double-blind research studies are coming out, but you need to ask the athletes who are using them and have seen the increase in strength, flexibility and balance," said one general dentist. "Terrell Owens has actually been timed running faster with his PPM in."

Here are some more comments from dentists:

"Until we see a proven clinical study, there is no proof the PPM works. Anyone remember BreatheRite strips? They supposedly increased oxygen flow, but were shown to do nothing.” (General dentist)
"A 15-year-old football player patient of mine recently received PPM. According to his dad, he is kicking the ball 40% farther. 70 yard punts and 45 yard FG's!" (Canada dentist)
"Patient usually reject due to cost. Sport stores sell them for 3-5 dollars. I charge 350+ and recommend different types for different sports.” (Indiana dentist)
"The PPM is the best thing to happen to the dentistry and the public since bonding agents! This will forever change the face of sports, not to mention the dental world.” (California dentist)
“The PPM is the only mouthguard that can help obtain peak performance. The others can actually decrease your performance. Jaw position is paramount to achieving optimum performance.” (Minnesota dentist)
"Without question mouthguards can improve athletic performance, like the MORA (mandibular oral repositioning appliance) made by Dr Richard Kaufman, an orthodontist." (South Carolina dentist)
“Not only can it make athletic performance better, but it offers relief for TMJ symptoms, i.e., headaches, neck tension, etc.” (Texas dentist)