press1's picture
press1
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Anyone Wear a Mouthgaurd while lifting?

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I'm thinking of buying a mouthgaurd to wear while lifting, specifically one designed for weightlifting rather than the ones designed to protect you from blows such as in combat sports. The powerlifting style ones focus more on preventing and helping with Jaw clenching and grinding, also they are designed to help you still be able to breathe well. Boxing ones tend to just protect and focus on preventing teeth from being chipped and knocked out.

They aren't that cheap either typically being priced £25 to £40 for what is advertised as lasting only 3 months!!

Does anyone else here use one of these and how do you find them in your mouth when training, are they comfortable or do they just feel very awkward and intrusive? If you wear one which brand do you use also Smile

ZyroxxShop's picture

I know a couple of guys that use either boxing or rugby gum shields with the desired effect, lots cheaper too

ONESICK's picture

When I would train to fight, I would wear one even when I lifted. I got used to it, a boxing one works just fine if you want to save some money. I don't wear one now but if I'm going to lift heavy heavy again I thought about it.

Makwa's picture

I was at the dentist a few weeks ago and she said I have an enlarged buccal jaw bone or something like that. She asked if I grind or clench my teeth while sleeping and I don't. It is from the 30+ years of clenching teeth in gym while lifting. I never noticed it until she mentioned it but now I realize I do clench my teeth while lifting. I'm still not going to wear a mouthguard though. Lol To late anyway, the damage has already been done.

press1's picture

That sounds similar to what they always say to me - that I have a very strong jaw and that its very tight and awkward to get into because my Jaw ROM is limited! I always thought WTF are the pair of them going on about until one day she showed me in the mirror - she said open your jaw as wide as it will go and you will see its about half an inch less than mine. Sure enough she was right, couldn't believe it. She said do you do something to make it that way? lol I said no nothing, it must be from continually clenching hard all the time - I reckon its the gear too but I never said that. You are basically exercising your biting muscles and then they are growing on the gear and becoming thicker and less flexible - Masseter muscle its called.

Makwa's picture

I asked her if it was something I should be worried about and she said not really, it is just something that happens from excessive clenching. So all is good I guess.

press1's picture

Just keep an eye on it Mak - if you start resembling a Silverback then maybe get a second opinion on it Lmao

Onetimehitta's picture

Watched a video recently showing your balance and strength increase while wearing one. Found it pretty interesting haven't actually tried it though.

Onetimehitta's picture

No sir it’s been a while but I believe it was on New Age Performance insta page. If I run across same video I’ll add link for you. But the video showed the guys stability without mouth piece and then ran again with it which was improved dramatically.

vengar's picture

I wear one when I sleep. I just use those cheap ones for sport that you mold and fit it on the bottom. It doesn't obstruct breathing as much. If you're just using it for grinding that will work perfect.

press1's picture

Cheers Bud!! Does it feel really strange at first when you sleep with it in - then after a while you get use to it?
My Dentist suggested to me also that I start wearing one in my sleep as its clear I grind and clench my jaw whilst asleep - apparently thats what I do on the mouth blocks when under sedation LMAO I try and chew through it.

vengar's picture

A little but I got used to it quick. After molding and cutting a few mouthguards you'll learn how to make them nice and stealth. Definitely wear one a night if you grind like me, crowns are expensive.

press1's picture

LOL!! So the initial moulding process - Is it a case of putting it in boiling water for a few minutes or similar then putting it in and biting down and holding till it sets?

vengar's picture

Yep. Then you may want to cut it down a bit with scissors and remold it again. Even repeat the process one more time.

press1's picture

I have noticed some have holes cut into them to make breathing easier, does this even matter/make a difference though since the guard is around the teeth?

vengar's picture

That wouldn't matter for grinding, especially when you fit it on the bottom. The cheap Wilson's I use don't have that thick front.

press1's picture

Which one/brand bud?

press1's picture

Sorry guy's - Just had to post this Quora question up that has just dropped in my email bin Lol

How do you take a dump in prison if you are locked up in the cell with another cellmate?

Generally, if a guy needs to take a dump he will tell his cellie and he would leave to give you privacy. But if the cell doors were locked then the other guy would turn away and the guy taking the dump would do his business and soon as the dump hit the water, flush! Not flushing when the turd hits the water is a big deal and disrespectful in that world!

Pumped_'s picture

"PUT SOME WATER ON THAT!"

In a promo × 1
JakeKO's picture

Definitely not a bad idea for powerlifting. Yup, now I feel weak! Lol, I definitely don’t need one ugh

press1's picture

Not sure if it will feel very natural while lifting Lmao But figured it may be worth giving a go, think it will be one of those things that will feel better after a few uses when it feels normal to be in there. Bloody £40 a pop ain't cheap though lol There are others for £10 but don't look like they will give proper clamping bite support as such. Maybe I should ask the broccoli kids what they recommend???!!Lmfao

JakeKO's picture

Lol! You know what the broccoli guys like to use for a mouthpiece??? Each other!!! Lol!

Trust me, the ten dollar ones are good enough. Your teeth mold to them. Don’t buy a better quality one until you know if you can even deal with it. You might just feel better because you won’t have that distraction anymore. When I go too heavy on my deadlifts, I can feel it through my whole head. Never thought of wearing a mouthpiece, but it definitely makes sense now that you said it

press1's picture

You speak wise words mate - try the cheaper one first and see if I can put up with it when lifting Yes 3
From now on you shall be known as 'Wisdom Jake' LOL

JakeKO's picture

LOL, nah, I’m just old and have worn many mouth pieces for football and mma. These days I buy them for my son. Some of the new ones don’t need to be boiled. Try the cheap one first. The one in your picture looks too bulky and uncomfortable, and only supports your back teeth. That can turn you off right away

press1's picture

I've just made a £10 purchase mate, bought a clear one that moulds.

press1's picture

My main reason is to keep my Jaw aligned properly when clamping down on deadlifting, sometimes the right hand side of my jaw by the TMJ joint/hinge is sore the next few days after and I know it must be because of this. Mine isn't aligned the natural way it use to be anymore I reckon because of the molar implants I had. Using something like the one above should keep the bite better and more even. I try not to do it when lifting but it just happens automatically and once its locked you can't open it during the lift Lol. In theory once its moulded at first it should sit well. There must be someone who uses them on here. That one above is what Brian Shaw uses.