You may have noticed the downhill skiers wearing mouth guards to protect their teeth on the jackhammer-like rides down the hill. But some athletes swear by a new kind of dental appliance that promises to improve performance -- and now there's a model available for the rest of us.
Keith Bray practices taekwondo.
"It's all about strength, balance, agility," he said.
And his new secret weapon: The Pure Power Mouthguard or PPM
"I tried it and noticed that my performance actually improved," said Bray. "That was something I'd never had happen to me before, wearing these mouthpieces."
Invented by a neuromuscular dentist, it claims to align the jaw and enhance power, balance and flexibility by improving oxygen flow.
"I noticed that I was pushing this heavy bag around like it was a pillow," said Bray.
Cosmetic dentist Dr. Gary Alahdef points to a Rutgers University study which found the device significantly improved vertical jump and peak power performance.
"Most people's jaws are not in the idea position and what the PPM device does, is it allows the jaw to be in the ideal position," said Alhadef.
Vaughn Miller is a fitness buff and polo player
"You're riding a 1,000 pound animal, you're going 30 to 35 miles per hour and trying to hit a little white ball, and so anything you can do to enhance your strength, enhance your agility," said Vaughn.
Many of the New Orleans Saints wore the mouthguard this season.
"I think a lot of people who wear one, especially the pros, don't want to share it with other pros because it's kind of their secret weapon," said Alhadef.
Keith Bray, who now has a trophy under his belt, says it works.
"I noticed that my range of motion had greatly improved wearing this dental appliance," said Bray.
The pros pay around $2,000 for the PPM. The new amateur version goes for about $600. CLICK HERE to find a local dentist.
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