There are three main types of mouth pieces. The cheap ones you get at any old sporting good store. More expensive mouth pieces which get boiled so they fit better. And lastly the mouth guards you get made up at a dentist. You may think that a more expensive mouth piece is out of the question or just not worth the money. Well, each type of guard increases your protection and may even have performance enhancements not found in the cheaper guards.
The regular run of the mill mouth guards will mainly do one thing. It will keep your teeth from falling out. So if all you’re looking for is tooth protection save your money and go cheap. In the long run you’re limiting air flow. Also, your teeth will not be in optimal position to save that glass jaw of yours.
Next, we have the middle grade mouth guards that everyone usually buys. They cost $15-$150 and may come with some form of ventilation which will increase your air flow. These guards, like I stated before, are usually more of a custom fit. You boil them and then have them contoured to your mouth. Some have kits that allow you to send impressions of your teeth to a company to have a special guard made up. This is better and my even save you from a few upper cuts or hooks to the jaw.
Lastly, and possibly the state of the art at the moment, is the ultra guards that are out there. These guards are usually $750 and up. You say crazy? Not really. What’s not getting knocked out worth to you? Or how about being able to throw full force punches well into the 12th round? OK, so you’re not looking to go into the 12th round. Maybe you’re hoping your opponent is wearing a cheap mouth guard that only protects his teeth so you can knock him out. You still never know.
These high end ultra mouth guards take a lot into consideration. We can start with your bite. The dentist will usually relax the jaw and neck muscles using electrical stimulus, massage, acupuncture or chiropractic. This will allow for the best possible impression. Just think, if your muscles are tight the impression will be off and you will have a guard made from an unbalance mouth. Clench your teeth, now feel the muscles on the side of your head and jaw. Do you feel the tightness? While it may be secure it is also very fragile and uneven.
The next important part in fitting the mouth guard is your jaws natural alignment. A good guard should be fitted based on the center point of your bite. Using a computer an image is generated of your jaw as you move the jaw up and down, left to right, and in and out. The most comfortable position allowing for the most relaxation of your facial muscles is what you need to look for. Every one has a comfort zones with a space between your upper and lower jaw which keeps you confident.
Finally, and this is key, is the jaws final resting position. A normal bite has the lower jaw slightly behind the upper jaw. This maybe optimal for eating and speaking, but not for fighting. This jaw position, when clenched, has to much pressure on the disc of the jaw. That’s the part of the jaw with the nerves which control pain. This will also increase pain to your ears. Try it, put your teeth together with the lower just behind the upper jaw. After a few minutes you will start to feel some pain. You may even start hearing ringing in your ears. If that how you feel now imagine being in a fight and getting hit continuously in that jaw. Can you fight with that ringing and pain getting progressively worse? You can sure try. Tough it out and say it doesn’t hurt.
Well, the best position is having your lower teeth just in front of your upper teeth. This is where technology is used to find the best position for each individual. This decreases the pressure on the disc. Allows for better air flow into the mouth. And keeps all the muscles of the face and neck relaxed. Try this exercise: Start with your lower jaw all the way out. Feel the muscles of the face and neck. Do you feel your head is held higher? Well, that what you’re looking for. Now push that lower jaw all the way back. Did you notice your head drop? POW, knock out. The other thing to note is the forward position (lower teeth in front) relaxes all the muscles in the face and neck allowing for better breathing, which will allow you to last longer during a fight. Also, the forward position keeps the nerves and blood vessels of the arms from being pinched between the tight muscles of the normal position ( jaw back, towards head).
So, I hope you see that some times the old expression is true " You do get what you pay for." Last longer, fight stronger, and prevent that knockout. It is important that you get used your mouth guard no matter which you choose. Wear it during training, sparing, and running. Give the mouth piece a chance for you to get used to it in your mouth. If after a month you feel the mouth piece is not comfortable feel free to go out and get another one or have your dentist refit it. Even a great mouth piece can’t help you if you’re not comfortable with it. I hope that next time you look for a mouth piece or put your old one in you think about what you have and what you’re missing.
Dr. Pietro Baio DC
Performance Edge Chiropractic, P.C.
7112 Ave U
Brooklyn, NY 11234
(917)-309-5464
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