Why Do Strongmen Wear Mouthguards? (Protection & Performance)

If you’ve ever watched a World’s Strongest Man competition, you’ve seen the ritual. A giant like Tom Stoltman or Mitchell Hooper approaches a massive stone or a loaded barbell, takes a deep, aggressive breath, and adjusts something in their mouth before letting out a roar.

At first glance, it looks like they’re gearing up for a heavyweight title fight in the UFC. But there’s no opponent across from them—just cold, hard iron. So, why the mouthguard? Is it just for the “tough guy” aesthetic, or is there a deeper, more scientific reason why the world’s strongest athletes refuse to lift without one?

As it turns out, that small piece of plastic is doing a lot more heavy lifting than you might think. From protecting pearly whites to potentially adding pounds to a deadlift, let’s dive into the world of strongman mouthguards.

5 Key Takeaways: Why Strength Athletes Use Mouthguards

Dental Insurance: Heavy lifting causes intense, involuntary jaw clenching; mouthguards prevent teeth from cracking or chipping under the pressure.
Structural Support: They stabilize the jaw and neck, which can reduce the risk of soft tissue injuries.
Airway Optimization: Properly fitted guards, like those from Impact Mouthguards, align the jaw to keep the airway open.
The “Bite” Factor: Clenching down on a guard can trigger a neuromuscular response that may increase total force production.
Custom is King: Professional strongmen typically opt for custom-fitted dental guards to ensure they can still speak and breathe without restriction.

What Mouthguards Do for Strongman Performance

In the world of strength sports, your body is a closed system of pressure. When a strongman attempts a max-effort lift—like a 500kg deadlift—they utilize a technique called the Valsalva Maneuver. This involves taking a massive breath and holding it against a closed airway to create internal pressure, which stabilizes the spine.

When you create that much internal pressure, your muscles don’t just “fire” in your legs and back; they fire everywhere. This includes the masseter muscles in your jaw. Strongmen often clench their teeth with incredible force. Without a buffer, that pressure has nowhere to go but into the enamel of the teeth. A mouthguard acts as a shock absorber for the skull, redistributing the force of that clench.

How Mouthguards Protect Teeth and Jaws During Heavy Lifts

It’s not just about the clench. Strongman is a dynamic, often chaotic sport. Unlike powerlifting, where the bar moves in a straight line, strongman events involve carrying odd objects, flipping tires, and bracing against implements that want to shift and shake.

Imagine carrying a 400-pound Husafell Stone. If you trip or the stone shifts suddenly, your jaw can slam shut. In a sport where “incidental impact” is a regular occurrence, the mouthguard protects the soft tissues—your lips and cheeks—from being sliced open by your own teeth. Research found on PubMed suggests that stabilizing the jaw may also help in reducing the severity of impacts during high-intensity sports.

Improving Breathing Efficiency with Performance Mouthguards

One of the biggest misconceptions is that mouthguards make it harder to breathe. If you’re using a cheap, bulky guard from a big-box sporting goods store, that might be true. But for a professional athlete, the right guard actually improves breathing.

When we fatigue, our jaw tends to drop or shift, which can partially obstruct the airway. A performance-designed mouthguard is built to “reposition” the jaw slightly forward and down. In events like the “Frame Carry” or “Loading Race,” where cardiovascular endurance is just as important as raw strength, being able to take in more oxygen per breath is a massive competitive advantage.

Do Mouthguards Improve Strength? The Science of the “Bite”

Can a piece of plastic actually make you stronger? There is a phenomenon known as Concurrent Activation Potentiation (CAP). Essentially, the human body is wired so that when you intensely contract one group of muscles (like your jaw), it can actually increase the neural drive to other muscles. It’s the same reason why squeezing the barbell harder with your hands can help you lift more with your legs.

By providing a solid, stable surface to bite down on, a mouthguard allows an athlete to clench their jaw with 100% intensity without fear of pain or injury. This “maximal bite” can lead to a more powerful overall contraction across the entire body. Brands like Under Armour have even developed specialized “ArmourBite” technology specifically to capitalize on this jaw-positioning science.

Choosing the Best Mouthguard for Heavy Lifting

If you’re a strength athlete looking to get your first guard, you need to look for specific features. A “heavy lifting” guard is different from a “combat sports” guard. You should prioritize:

Thickness: You want something relatively thin but dense.
Speech: You should be able to shout commands to your coach without the guard falling out.
Stability: The guard should “snap” onto your teeth and stay there.

Types of Mouthguards: Custom vs. Boil-and-Bite

There are three main tiers of mouthguards available for athletes:

Stock Mouthguards: “One size fits all.” Generally, they are terrible for strongman as they are bulky and restrict breathing.
Boil-and-Bite: The most common entry-level option. You soften it in hot water and mold it to your teeth.
Custom-Fitted (Dental Grade): This is what the pros use. According to the Cleveland Clinic, custom-fitted guards offer the highest level of protection and comfort because they are made from an exact mold of your teeth.

Maintenance and Replacement Guidelines for Strength Athletes

A mouthguard is a piece of gym equipment. To keep it in top shape:

Hygiene: Rinse your guard with cool water after every use. Never use boiling water to clean it, as it will warp the plastic.
Inspection: Look for “bite-through” marks. If the material is thinning out, it’s no longer providing the cushion you need.
Replacement: If you’re training 4-5 days a week, expect to replace your guard every 6 to 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Do mouthguards actually increase strength? Some studies suggest that clenching with a mouthguard can boost force output through Concurrent Activation Potentiation (CAP). It helps you maximize your existing potential through a stable jaw clench.

Q2: Can a mouthguard improve breathing during lifts? Yes. By aligning the jaw and preventing the tongue from falling back, a well-fitted mouthguard optimizes airway space, reducing perceived breathlessness.

Q3: Are all mouthguards the same for strongmen? Absolutely not. There is a huge difference between a $5 “stock” guard and a custom-fitted laminated guard. You need a guard that stays in place during heavy breathing.

Q4: Do mouthguards prevent concussions? They are not a “magic bullet,” but they can reduce injury risk by stabilizing the jaw and neck muscles and cushioning impacts during dynamic movements.

Q5: How should a strongman choose a mouthguard? Prioritize a custom-fitted or high-quality “boil-and-bite” guard that is thin enough to breathe through but durable enough to withstand heavy clenching.

Q6: Are there drawbacks to wearing mouthguards? The main drawbacks are initial discomfort and a slight adjustment for speaking. However, a high-quality guard mitigates these issues quickly.

Q7: How often should mouthguards be replaced? Inspect your guard weekly. Generally, an active strongman should replace their guard every 6–12 months or when the fit becomes loose.

Final Thoughts on Strongman Mouthguards

In a sport where the margins between winning and losing are measured in centimeters and seconds, every advantage matters. Strongmen wear mouthguards because they are practical, protective, and performance-enhancing. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a “weekend warrior” at a local garage gym, protecting your teeth and optimizing your airway is a smart move.

Why Do Strongmen Wear Mouthguards? Protection, Performance, and Practical Tips