May 14, 2008

Jaw Dropper

The science of how a relaxed jaw can optimize an athlete's performance

By Karl Yu
Epoch Times Staff

IMPROVED PERFORMER: Josh Brown #3, the former kicker of the Seattle Seahawks, has good things to say about the pure power mouthguard.

The greatest hockey player that ever lived, Wayne Gretzky, paraded around in a porous helmet—it's a wonder he never suffered a concussion. And football used to be played with leather helmets in days gone by.

While the Riddells and CCMs of the world have helped advance protective headwear, a company based in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada is hoping to do the same for mouth protection with the Pure Power Mouthguard (PPM).

We all know the classic mouthguard—a piece of plastic you drop into boiling water and bite on to conform to the shape of your jaw.

The PPM takes it one step further.

Developed by Dr. Anil Makkar and trainer Chuck Sproule using a special TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation) machine, an athlete's jaw is stimulated so that it is completely relaxed.

"TENS is like a mild electrical massage to the nerves that move the muscles of the face, shoulders, and neck," explained Dr. Gary Lederman, a certified New York area doctor and part owner of the company that makes the mouthguard.

"The muscles become relaxed and refreshed, making the location of the jaw's optimal position possible."

With the jaw well positioned, the athlete is ready to be fitted by a certified dentist.

"A bite is taken using jaw tracking, and EMGs [electromyograms] measure muscle activity," added Dr. Mike Bixby, who is also a part owner based in New York.

PURE POWER MOUTHGUARD: Colored mouthguards are for contact sports. (Pure Power Athletic)
"This allows us in real-time to see where in space the jaw's best position is. Using very accurate dental impressions [molds] and this bite you are ready to have the PPM made."

According to PPM makers, having the facial muscles in complete relaxation does more than offer athletes peace of mind. It can improve posture and enhance upper body strength.

In fact, they say balance and strength can be increased upwards of 50 percent.

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