Makkar Mouthguards Power Saints to Superbowl Win
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A post by "Miss Pavla" To see more posts click here |
So the New Orleans Saints won, and a nation is happy. What a game it was! But let’s look at what really made this team a winner . . . their MOUTHGUARDS!
Apparently, earlier in the season, the New Orleans Saints began rockin these $2,000 mouthguards on some 40 players on the roster. Apparently, these things are supposed to, “unleash instant improvements in strength, explosive speed, balance and agility – all vital components of athletic performance – and to give the user an immediate performance advantage” which you can read here at the Makkar site.
PPM mouthguard
According to the website, this mouthguard is being endorsed by Shaquille O’Neal and Terrell Owens, and it surprisingly doesn’t at all seem like a Quackwatch headliner. Apparently, the premise is that it slightly shifts your bite and jaw positioning to allow you to have proper head/neck/spine alignment which this doctor claims can change your ability to stretch, jump, run, etc. I found it suspect that the company stated that they, “have in hand results of a research study performed by a reputable US College with funding from us that compared the results of a traditionally-fitted custom mouthguard with a PPM™;” because somehow a study that tests the quality of your product that is funded by you doesn’t seem like it would have very impartial feedback.
Nonetheless, the idea of what they are saying isn’t completely ridiculous. In my years of playing collegiate and professional basketball, I’ve worn mouthguards on two occasions. The first time, because I was young and I liked my teeth, and somehow the elbows of every girl in the Patriot District seemed to find my mouth like a heat-seeking missile. But the second time I received a mouthguard was for several reasons. First, I have had four concussions in my lifetime, and mouthgaurds have been proven to significantly reduce them. I suppose because it lightens the blow as it’s happening because you bite through soft composite plastic as opposed to hard teeth. But also, my dentist said a mouthguard would help me breath easier and keep me in better shape. Apparently, clenching your teeth during a 2hr workout can be strenuous enough to fatigue you enough to notice it in your performance. So I currently play with an aligned composite mouthguard that helps against all these factors.
What does concern me about the mouthguard is that it’s slightly altering your body’s natural positioning. While this is purported to help you athletically, I question what the long term safety of such misalignments made for athletic supremacy are. I think that your body is the way it is for a reason. Sometimes certain enhancements or adjustments are great and can help the human body in a number of ways, but they should always be approached with caution, because to me, anything that messes with your spine, should be thoroughly studied and questioned by an INDEPENDENTLY-funded institution.
But on the other hand, if the Saints are the new posterchild for Makkar mouthguards they certainly picked a good squad to fit, because they are now our 2010 Superbowl Champs!
udothedishes…
I’ve read some separate reviews and studies on these mouthguards. From what I’ve heard/read they are actually better for your posture long term.
Miss Pavia,
I’m a local dentist who makes these mouthguards and I would be more than happy to have you demonstrate exactly how it can help you personally. Seeing is believing, and it won’t cost you a penny. Check out my site http://www.LortonDental.com I’ve fitted local MMA’er Iman Achhal who fought and won at the Patriot Center UWC Redemption Oct. 3rd. She trains with it daily. Can’t wait to see her in the octagon again!
good stuff pavla! as this gets promoted, i imagine we’ll start seeing some Makkar commercials running on the tube soon….also, what if your teeth are so jacked like lil wayne???
Sorry Miss Pavla, I’m new to this site and misspelled your name initially! This is a great site!
SeigleSeigle, The mouthguard is based on 40 years of Neuromuscular Dental science which is used to treat Migraine headaches and TMJ as an alternative to surgery. More of a holistic approach I’d say. It has more to to with jaw position and alignment then teeth being “jacked”. Why do you think Lil Wayne’s teeth are jacked up?
does it help with snoring/breathing at nighttime?
Mr/Ms. Aesthetic Dentistry of Lorton,
40 years? I wonder why my dentist didn’t tell me about them! I have a 300$ mouthguard right now thats great, but it isn’t a PPM.
You say it won’t cost me a penny? Well, Id be more than happy to try, and if you’re right, I will recant my statements on here (= and wear/promote it when I go to Italy in the fall to play! Please leave your name and number, as i’m not sure who to contact….?
Go Pavla! Didn’t know you’re gonna be playing in Italy! Dentistry of Lorton should sponsor you…
Thanks Judy! Just got word yesterday….:-) …
Jmal, the PPM is only for maximizing athletic potential however, Neuromuscular principals are also used to make a sleep appliance called a SomnoDent. Anything that positions you jaw down and forward will increase your airway and thus help with breathing etc. The hugh advantage with Neuromuscular treatment is that we use highly specialized computers and equipment to measure jaw position, muscle activity and joint noise with numbers that can be measured.
Miss Pavla, congratulations on your achievement! When I said it wouldn’t cost you a penny, I was referring to the demonstration where you can actually compare what your mouthguard does vs. what a PPM could do. John Gruden from Monday Night Football talks about the “pen test” which is a quick way for anybody to actually experience the difference. I’ll have that clip posted on my facebook page next week. I wouldn’t believe the hype either except, I’ve see and experienced it for myself. As for why your dentist didn’t tell you about the PPM, all I can say is “you don’t know what you don’t know.” Dentists have to be trained at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies http://www.lviglobal.com/Search/Search.aspx to even learn these specialized techniques. I’m actually flying out there with some of my team for more training today!
If you or anyone else would like a free consult for the PPM, Sleep Appliance or anything related to TMJ or Cosmetic dentistry I’d be happy to see you. Please check my website http://www.LortonDental.com to see what we’re all about. I talk about this stuff on my blog http://www.lortondental.com/blog/
Miss Pavla, thanks for writing such a great blog and best of luck in Italy!
Dr. Ryan Reeves
Dr. Reeves,
Any chance you got sons name Carter and Weston?
Thanks Dr. Ryan! for the kind words and have fun in Vegas! P.S. You look familiar, did you happen to go to Lake Braddock?
Jmal, my brothers names are Carter and Weston. You may be thinking of my dad Ed Reeves.
Pavla, I did go to LBSS! ‘98 grad!
Small world huh.
Everyone, besides one of the writers, went to Lake Braddock. John and I graduated with Carter and Weston in 2002. Small World!
Bodie Miller uses a PPM….and he won a Bronze metal.
http://www.lortondental.com/blog/article-bode-miller-wins-bronze-in-mens-downhill-at-winter-olympics-using-pure-power-mouthguard-ppm.html