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Description

This review focuses specifically on strength, examining how mouthguards and jaw clenching impact maximum force in strength-centric exercises. This review aims to synthesize the literature on how different types of mouthguards and jaw-clenching techniques influence strength. The research team followed PRISMA guidelines for article extraction, initially identifying 230 records through database searches. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in this review. Analysis of the 10 articles (N = 20 studies) indicated that different mouthguard and clenching conditions influenced strength outcomes. For upper body strength (N = 13 studies), four studies showed a significantly positive effect from mouthguard use compared to clenching and habitual jaw position, while six studies reported a positive but non-significant effect. Regarding lower body strength (N = 7 studies), five studies indicated a significantly positive effect. The data revealed that, when biting or clenching, custom-made mouthguards were more effective in enhancing strength compared to over-the-counter options. Athletes, when biting or clenching, while wearing a custom-made mouthguard, can potentially enhance upper body as well as lower body strength performance.

Disciplines

Other Dentistry

Keywords

Mouthguards, Jaw Clenching, Athletic Performance, Strength, Sports Science

Document Type

Poster

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Does the Use of a Mouthguard and Jaw Clenching Affect Athletic Strength? - A Scoping Review

This review focuses specifically on strength, examining how mouthguards and jaw clenching impact maximum force in strength-centric exercises. This review aims to synthesize the literature on how different types of mouthguards and jaw-clenching techniques influence strength. The research team followed PRISMA guidelines for article extraction, initially identifying 230 records through database searches. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in this review. Analysis of the 10 articles (N = 20 studies) indicated that different mouthguard and clenching conditions influenced strength outcomes. For upper body strength (N = 13 studies), four studies showed a significantly positive effect from mouthguard use compared to clenching and habitual jaw position, while six studies reported a positive but non-significant effect. Regarding lower body strength (N = 7 studies), five studies indicated a significantly positive effect. The data revealed that, when biting or clenching, custom-made mouthguards were more effective in enhancing strength compared to over-the-counter options. Athletes, when biting or clenching, while wearing a custom-made mouthguard, can potentially enhance upper body as well as lower body strength performance.