Written by Steamboat Locals Media
Just a few decades ago, it was a rare sight to see skiers and snowboarders swooshing down Steamboat Ski Resort while wearing a helmet. With the advancement of personal safety technologies and understanding of the long-term impact of head trauma, it is a rarer sight in the current day to see someone without a helmet while carving turns on Mount Werner. While helmets have become mandatory in nearly all downhill, big air and slopestyle competitive events, you’ll notice that many of the top-level athletes in the X-Games or World Cup-level races are also using mouth guards while competing.
Helmets have long been standard equipment for cyclists, but we have not seen widespread use of mouth guards. There is reason to consider this additional level of safety when participating in the fast-paced bike racing events that we commonly see in the Yampa Valley, like SBT GRVL and Emerald Mountain Epic.
Using a mouth guard while bike racing is a topic of debate among cyclists. Different types of riders, from downhill mountain bikers to road cyclists, have varying experiences and perspectives. We asked the dentist that Steamboat Locals trust, Dr. Jim McCreight of McCreight Progressive Dentistry, about the advantages and disadvantages of racing with a mouth guard.
Pros
- Protection from Dental Injuries:
- Downhill Mountain Biking: This discipline involves high speeds and technical descents, where crashes can result in serious dental injuries. A mouth guard can protect against broken teeth and jaw injuries, which are common in high-impact sports.
- Cross-Country Mountain Biking: While not as intense as downhill, cross-country racing still has its risks, particularly during technical sections and descents. A mouth guard offers additional safety, reducing the risk of dental trauma.
- Reduction of Jaw and Teeth Clenching:
- Gravel Cycling: Long races on rough terrain can lead to involuntary clenching, which can cause tooth wear and jaw pain. A mouth guard can help alleviate these issues by providing a cushion that absorbs the impact and reduces stress on the teeth and jaw.
- Road Cycling: Endurance events and intense sprints can cause cyclists to clench their teeth. A mouth guard can prevent damage from clenching and grinding, enhancing comfort and potentially improving performance by reducing stress.
- Improved Focus and Performance:
- Some athletes find that using a mouth guard helps them concentrate better by minimizing distractions from jaw discomfort or dental worries, allowing them to focus more on their performance.
Cons
- Comfort and Fit Issues:
- Custom vs. Generic: A poorly fitting mouth guard can be uncomfortable and may even cause irritation or distraction during a race. Custom-fitted mouth guards are generally more comfortable but can be expensive and time-consuming to obtain.
- Adjustment Period: Cyclists may need time to get used to wearing a mouth guard, which can initially feel bulky and intrusive, potentially affecting breathing and communication.
- Hygiene and Maintenance:
- Cleaning: Mouth guards require regular cleaning to prevent the buildup of bacteria, which can lead to oral health issues. Neglecting proper maintenance can reduce the effectiveness of the mouth guard and lead to unpleasant odors or tastes.
- Durability: Over time, mouth guards can wear down, especially those made from softer materials. This means they need to be replaced periodically, adding to the cost and upkeep.
- Performance Impact:
- Some cyclists feel that wearing a mouth guard might affect their breathing, particularly during high-intensity efforts. This can be a significant drawback in endurance events where optimal oxygen intake is crucial.
- Psychological Factors:
- The added pressure of racing with additional gear can be a mental hurdle for some riders. They might feel self-conscious or distracted by the presence of a mouth guard, affecting their overall racing experience.
Now, if you are considering using a mouth guard for your next race, the first question you need to ask yourself is whether you want to go with the custom or generic solutions. Dr. McCreight believes that over-the-counter options will perform satisfactorily for most bike racers’ needs. “I understand that the mouth guards we can custom make for people can get costly, and I’m not going to try to sell that to anyone who isn’t a serious top-level racer when what you can find at a fraction of the cost more readily available online and at most sporting good stores will do the job just fine for people who are only entering a few local races through the summer.”
Even if you’re not racing, crashes are part of the risk we all take when we hop on the saddle. While the potential for a dental injury is much greater at race-pace, McCreight Progressive Dentistry sees patients all the time “Here’s the deal… even if you choose not to wear a mouth guard, and you happen to have a crash that impacts your smile, we have cosmetic dentistry options from veneers to full-mouth reconstruction.” I’ll use this opportunity, as the author of this article, to give a personal plug to the work McCreight does in the reconstructive area. Both of my front teeth are veneers that Dr. McCreight put in over a decade ago after separate incidents that caused significant damage to my teeth. Even after more than ten years, the porcelain so closely matches my natural teeth that you cannot tell they are fake.
The decision to wear a mouth guard while bike racing ultimately depends on the type of racing, individual preferences and specific needs for dental protection. Downhill and cross-country mountain bikers may benefit more from the protective aspects, while gravel and road cyclists need to balance the benefits against potential comfort and performance issues. As a former Ironman athlete, Dr. McCreight says, “If I were still racing at a highly competitive level where there is a greater chance of a high-speed crash, and the consequences of those crashes could be pretty impactful, I would probably wear a mouth guard. However, for the recreational riding I do now, I don’t think it is really necessary.”
For more information or to ask questions directly to our team at McCreight Progressive Dentistry, please Contact Us.
