Mouthguards?

[xiamsammyx]

Does anyone here race or for that matter even just train or ride casually with a mouthguard? I destroyed a few of my front teeth last summer and am slightly paranoid about somehow managing to knock them back out if i get into competetive racing. I'm just worried about it hurting my breathing capabilities over the course of the race.

any opinions?

[dirtyphotons]

mouthguards drastically inhibit your ability to breathe. they're used in high-contact sports where frequent blows to the head are inevitable.

if you're just wearing one in case you fall on your grille, i don't think the extra protection would be worth it. it just doesn't happen that often.

[xiamsammyx]

I think I'm just going to do some training riding with one to see if it really wears on me that much more...
$1800 worth of dental bils again isnt worth finishing a few places higher in a race.

[CastIron]

Shock Doctor makes some decent boil-n-bite ones. I have one for work and it's not exactly a joy to use but isn't that bad once you get to full boil.

[flargle]

Hell, we already wear helmets and special shoes, why not a mouthguard?

[cnickgo]

mouthguards drastically inhibit your ability to breathe. they're used in high-contact sports where frequent blows to the head are inevitable.

if you're just wearing one in case you fall on your grille, i don't think the extra protection would be worth it. it just doesn't happen that often.

I never remember having breathing issues wearing a mouthgaurd (lax), only talking.
I second the Shock Doctors- boil, bite, and suck out any water. I had excellent fits that would stay in place even if i opened my mouth.
If your worried about it, wear one! It will give you sense of security and safety, and you won't be worrying bout knocking your teeth out and will enjoy your ride more.

[shapelike]

Gotta agree w/ cnickgo, if it helps you get over the mental block that's obviously there, give it a try. As long as you don't end up choking on the damn thing I don't see the issue.

[tjanson]

I haven't heard of much dental trauma from bike racing. Broken collarbones, roadrash. I would say for cyclocross the risk of your teeth getting knocked out is less that any other form of bike racing. The worst things I can think of doing on a CX course is maybe tripping onto a barrier or smashing head first into a tree.
I think it is a very small risk.
Wear it if you feel better with it.

[dirtyphotons]

yes, i shouldn't have spoken in such general terms. when i played lacrosse, i found the airway obstruction to be a barrier to performance, such that i actually would sneak mine out during games. but not everyone feels that way. i also have a deviated septum so the mouthguard wasn't entirely to blame.

mental obstructions to performance are just as real and sometimes more of a barrier than physical ones. i would never have been able make the kinds of defensive plays i did had i not been wearing a cup (and some guys didn't), that moment of hesitation can make all the difference.

by all means give it a go, good luck!

[vpower]

I have seen mountain bike helmets with chinguard type deals. Not downhill helmets, but regular helmets. wait. here's one.

http://www.met-helmets.com/docs/files/457/1965.jpg