Print friendly
E-mail story
Tip Us Off
iPod friendly
Comments
Bookmark This
del.icio.us.
Digg!
furl
google
newsvine
reddit
technorati
Facebook
Yahoo!By day, Dr. John Orchard is a dentist in Santa Maria. What his many patients might not know is that he also happens to be the Central Coast's resident authority on the Pure Power Mouth Guard, a breakthrough in sports technology that combines the sciences of neuromuscular dentistry, motor control, physiology, and countless others to create the perfect bite plate for athletes, amateur and pro alike.
Courtesy Photo
Dr. John Orchard
For years, Orchard has been treating patients whose problems stem from an uneven bite. Symptoms ranging from ringing of the ears to receding gums can eventually turn into aching and permanently damaged muscles. Contrary to what one may think, the damaged muscles are not simply in your mouth — shoulder, neck, arm, hand, back, leg, and foot muscles can all be disrupted by an uneven bite. "It's a fairly precise position," explained Orchard, "a position that can change over your lifetime."
Noting the incredible impact the alignment of teeth have on the rest of the body's muscular condition, a colleague of Orchard's arrived at an idea: perhaps a proper bite could lead to an overall better athletic performance. "When the teeth are in a physiologic rest position, the core muscles are relaxed, allowing all other muscles to function at a superior level," said Orchard.
When the relaxed jaw comes down and forward slightly, it opens up the airway. The increase of oxygen intake frees up muscles, including those in the back and stomach, for recruitment. "Studies have shown that once athletes are fitted with a Pure Power Mouth Guard," he claimed, "they display improved balance, rotation, strength, and overall endurance."
Courtesy Photo
Pure Power Mouth Guard
Athletes have taken notice. Los Angeles Dodgers star left fielder Manny Ramirez is one of the most notable examples of a Pure Power athlete — not a bad poster boy considering the Dodgers nearly made the World Series. Other users include Milwaukee Buck Michael Redd, St. Louis Ram Josh Brown, Dallas Cowboy Terrell Owens, and almost the entirety of the U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball "Redeem Team."
"The mouth guard is perfect for runners and golfers too, or virtually any athlete," promised Orchard. "In fact, I've heard word that Tiger Woods might begin using it when he recovers from his current injuries."
The Pure Power Mouth guard Web site (www.ppmmouthguard.com, is the most direct resource for anyone interested in a purchase. But it's not cheap — the standard model starts at $1,200, while the professional may run you around $2,000. Orchard urges anyone interested to check out the Web site, and stressed, "In the next six months, everyone will wonder about this product."
Related Links
Double-clicking on any word or phrase in this story will open a reference window with definitions and links to other reference material.
Previous Month
Comments
Discussion Guidelines
These rediculously priced mouth guards are rip off of a guard made by a local denist. Dr. Hwong of Santa Barbara is certified to make a similar product specifically designed to protect from "Glass Jaw" concussion. In fact it is patented, any guard that resembles the one in the picture above is a blatant patent infringement. If your a dentist, the Maher mouth guard is far less expensive and achives a similar corrective position. As a parent the introductory level is adequate for protecting high schoolers from concussion and strength enhancement, they run about $175 cost to the athlete. Making them the simple choice. These TEMS guards are overkill and have no history of concussion prevention. I should know, my local football team wears the Maher mouth guard and it's cost is minimal. Go to www.mahercor.com for more info on its history of use within the NFL.
Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0
Steveboy777 (anonymous profile)
October 25, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No mouthguard can claim that it prevents concusions, there are various types of concussions. I bought a PPM, because of the instant increase that I saw in my balance, flexibility and range of motion. I have poor flexibility, so I looked into hiring a fitness trainer, who was 200.00 a day, and the trainer told me that it would take 60 days to make me flexiable, that would have been 12,000.00 dollars!, and alot of time!
I spent 2000.00, and saw the increase in flexiability right away, I save 10,000.00 dollars, and improved my game faster. It was worth it to me.
Now , the trainer is looking into getting one. I had alot of skeptism, when I read about this product, and then I asked myself.....What if does work? I am glad I got one.
Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0
gameboy (anonymous profile)
October 25, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Paul111 (anonymous profile)
October 27, 2008 at 7:57 a.m.
johno111 (anonymous profile)
October 28, 2008 at 7:50 a.m.
Post a comment