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Weightlifting has gained popularity among the masses in recent times. And with it being such a high-strength sport, it is important to take care of your dental health along the way using mouth guards. But are these truly effective for safely pumping iron?
In this blog, we will look at the reasons and benefits of using a mouth guard for weightlifting. Let's dig in!
Mouth Guards and Weightlifting
Many sportsmen believe that dental devices such as mouth guards are only needed for close-contact sports such as boxing, wrestling, and martial arts, but dental professionals don’t think so. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), mouth guards are recommended for 29 types of sports, including weightlifting, surfing, rugby, soccer, lacrosse, and much more.
What Are The Experts Saying
During powerlifting, you face high stress on the teeth, jaw, or face which can cause dental trauma, jaw fractures, and more. Experts recommend that the probability of all such dental issues can be reduced by using custom mouth guards.
Dr. Anas Athar (DDS) states, “Many powerlifters suffer from dental injuries. This can cause cracks, holes, or even damage to the jaws and teeth”. Furthermore, he explains that when your tooth grinds against a hard surface, there will be some damage. Teeth grinding and clenching that occurs when lifting weights can result in close teeth friction. This can cause teeth cracks, holes, or even damage to the jaws and teeth.
Reasons for Wearing a Weightlifting Mouth Guard
Prevents Excessive Teeth Grinding
A weightlifting mouth guard can help reduce teeth grinding (bruxism) due to excessive stress. You can shift the workout pressure to your mouth guard, which helps protect your valuable teeth from getting damaged.
Reduces Jaw Pain
Sports mouth guards also help alleviate jaw pain from heavy lifting. Weightlifting puts extra pressure and stress on your mandible bone (TMJ), which covers your lower face and is important for chewing and speech. Jaw contraction stress and teeth grinding can also lead to various issues related to TMJ disorders.
Wearing a sports mouth guard can help relieve pressure from jaw pain. It lowers the grinding action of the mandible bone. As a result, you feel relieved during heavy weightlifting sessions.
Stress Management
Athletes are known to feel stressed and aggressive when lifting heavy weights. A recent research study by the Journal of Strength and Conditioning states, “It was found that wearing a mouth guard offered better cortisol level control, which is a vital steroid for promoting stress management”. This is also one of the reasons why custom sports mouth guards should be used.
Types of Mouth Guard
Stock
Stock mouth guards are premade and budget-friendly variations of mouth guards. These are available at various sports stores, pharmacies, and department stores. Stock mouth guards don’t provide adequate protection due to them not being custom-made for the users.
Boil and Bite
These mouth guards are placed in hot water for a short period of time to make them soft. Once done, they are then bit into, thus allowing them to adapt to your mouth for a custom fit. Boil and bite mouth guards provide better protection compared to stock mouth guards, as they offer an improved fit compared to stock mouth guards.
Custom Mouth Guard
Custom mouth guards are made using your dental impressions. These are manufactured using medical-grade thermoplastic materials and provide enhanced protection due to their custom fit, especially during weight lifting.
How to Clean Mouth Guards
Oral hygiene is crucial to getting effective treatment from your sports mouth guard. Some tips for maintaining and cleaning them include:
- Rinse your custom mouth guard with tap water. Clean it with an all-purpose cleaner or soft toothbrush using a non-abrasive cleaning solution.
- Store your sports mouth guard in a clean storage case.
- Regularly check your mouth guard for any kind of breakage or chipping.
- Get a new mouth guard every three months to ensure ideal protection.
Things to Consider Before Choosing
Picking a generic mouth guard from the market does not guarantee adequate protection. This is why it is crucial to pick a mouth guard that suits your personal needs the best. To obtain the best possible option for safe weight lifting, you need to consider the following factors:
- Durability;>
- FDA approval;>
- Medical-grade material (BPA-free);>
- Ideal 4mm thickness;>
- Contoured fit;>
Mouth Guards With ALIGNERCO
ALIGNERCO prioritizes your needs and offers the best weightlifting mouth guard for your sports career. Here are some of the additional benefits that make ALIGNERCO the perfect choice:
User-Focused Solutions: Weightlifters can enjoy enhanced fit and comfort without the risk of compromising performance or protection.
Highly Affordable: Custom mouth guards do not have to break your pockets. ALIGNERCO offers you the best protection while being cost-effective.
Medical Grade Materials: The medical grade (BPA-free) materials used to make the mouth guards guarantee enhanced comfort and protection.
Stylish Colors: You can choose from a wide range of color options to make your mouth guards more personalized.
Fewer Headaches: Our sports mouth guards reduce headaches suffered by athletes during weightlifting, as constant clenching of teeth can put a high amount of stress on the nervous system. This can also lead to high blood pressure and stress.
Protects Your Dental Appliances: A custom mouth guard provides ideal protection for your braces, bridgework, and opposing teeth. This results in reducing root damage, jaw fractures, and tooth damage.
Low Risk of Concussions: While mouth guards don’t directly prevent concussions, they can help reduce injuries that can potentially cause a concussion during training and tournaments. Not using a mouth guard can result in accidents during weightlifting, affecting your jaws. This can result in severe impact on your skull and mandible, which in turn can result in a concussion.
Wearing a custom-tailored mouth guard for pro weightlifting is an excellent choice. This ensures ideal safety, damage prevention, and self-care. To get the best results possible, it is best to consult with an expert who can assess your dental conditions and suggest a solution accordingly. Furthermore, ALIGNERCO’s commitment to high quality and effective protection makes it an ideal choice. Embrace the ALIGNERCO advantage to carry out your deadlifting session with confidence, knowing that your radiant smile is safe.
FAQs
1. What is a custom mouth guard?
A mouth guard is a dental device that provides all-rounder protection, including potential dental trauma injuries. Custom mouth guards are tailored according to your dental impressions. As a result, they provide a snug fit, comfort, and improved performance.
2. What is the ideal thickness of a custom mouth guard for weightlifting?
A custom mouth guard should have a minimum of 4 mm thickness to provide ideal protection from all kinds of dental injuries.
3. Can I get a sports mouth guard in diverse colors?
Yes, you can easily choose your mouth guard from a wide range of selections according to your personal preference.
4. Can custom mouth guards improve my performance?
While mouth guards mainly focus on protecting your teeth from any physical forces, they can indirectly improve your weightlifting performance by reducing discomfort and offering more protection.
