Dentist Westborough What Athletes Have Written

Below are statements from actual athletes that have worked with Dr. Portnoy and his custom-made performance mouthguards. 

 

Question #1: Do You Feel This Is Just A "Placeb​o Effect" and "Why"?

(In other words, your expectations of the MOUTHGUARD can have a measurable psychological effect just due to the fact you are thinking positively about it so the results may not be actual but in your mind)  

Question #2: Do You Have Any "P​ositive or Negative Comments" You'd Like to Share?

 

Field Hockey Player #1

Question #1: 

I do not believe the effects this mouthguard had were a placebo effect. At the beginning, I didn’t really believe it would improve my playing ability and keep me safer. But, I was stronger, could breathe better, I was not as tired at the end of the game when I need my most energy reserves, I was more focused and most importantly it was so much more comfortable. It definitely helped my performance and helped my neck muscles.

Question #2:

The mouthguard was amazing. I could barely feel it and never noticed it was in. My strength overall improved. By the end of the first game I was comfortable with it but by the end of the 3rd game it didn't even feel like it was in. I was less winded by the first game and it continued into the playoffs. I recommend this mouthguard to everyone.

 

Field Hockey Player #4

Question #1:

I feel that the mental aspect definitely helps further the success of the MG, but I don’t believe it's all mental. I can’t physiologically train myself to do what the mouthguard has done for me.

Question #2:

It has improved my breathing tremendously and given me more energy overall.

THANK YOU
 
Field Hockey Player #5
Question #1:
There is always the chance that the placebo effect is taking place but I truly believe that the new mouthguard improved my game and helped me to make it through my games without getting too tired.
Question #2:
There is nothing negative I could say about the mouthguard. Even if it didn’t help with anything else, it was comfortable to wear so I didn’t have to worry about it. But saying that, it really did help my performance and I truly believe I could play better when using it. 
 
Field Hockey Player #13
Question #1:
No, I definitely do not think it is a placebo. When my mom washed my warm-up pants with my mouthguard in it, it was ruined. Immediately I knew I needed the mouthguard because after one practice without it I was winded, my shots were off, so I knew I had to have it during the National Tournament I was going to (USA FIELD HOCKEY MARYLAND 2012).
Question #2:
There really are none, it makes it much simpler to balance when getting pushed around, only being 5'2" it allows me to play up against the taller players.
 
Field Hockey Player #14:
Question #1:
No - I could run longer and I was more balanced in only one practice. It was easy for me to talk clear and I could hydrate w/out taking it out or having any problem.
Question #2: 
It felt comfortable before the games started. After one practice it felt like part of my uniform. At Futures in 2-4 scrimages I was less winded.
 
Field Hockey Player #16
Question #1:
I don't think it was a placebo because I previously had a similar type of mouthguard, but this one definitely fit more comfortably and I noticed a big difference in the power of my shots when the mouthguard was in and engaged compared to when it wasn't in.
Question #2:
The mouthguard helped me focus on my hits because I was more focused on biting down instead of worrying how I hit, so it help me concentrate and be less stressed while playing.
 
Field Hockey Player #17
Question #1:
It is possible the mouthguard is a placebo effect in regards to balance, however I know for sure the mouthguard improved my stamina and made it 10X easier to breathe while running.
Question #2:
My only comment is that it helped my breathing greatly. Before I would hold my mouthguard while trying to talk, now I can talk and run at the same time.
 

Field Hockey Player #19

Question #1:

Some of it is definitely placebo, but in the end, what is wrong with that?

If you think you will be better and then you are, power to you.  But, for me, I think it was more the actual act of thinking "okay, bite down, engage!" that caused me to focuson using the mouthguardand consequently made me focus on my play.

Question #2:

There were times when I definitely felt very focused and grounded, and feeling that way improves your confidence and overall performance. But I don't think I had any extra stamina and endurance due to my use of the mouthguard.

 

Ice Hockey Player #1
Question #1:
No I don't think it is a placebo effect because I play center and when I take faceoffs I engage in my mouthguard and am a lot stronger with it in. Also while skating it helps me dig deeper and skate longer.
Question #2:
I love it, I can't play without it.
 
Ice Hockey Player #2
Question #1:
I would say that the improved balance allowed me to stay square to the puck and focus on where the puck was during the game.  I felt less fatigued in the final stages of the game. As a goalie our headgear is usually a bit heavier than a forward or defenseman. Never had any neck fatigue while wearing the mouthguard.
Question #2:
Love the mouthguard. Once you wear it for more than a period or so it totally becomes part of you. I have noticed in the times that I have played and not had the mouthguard in that I got winded and fatigued much quicker and definetly was throwing my game off.
 
Ice Hockey Player #4
Question #1:
No because I have used this for a year now and I do not or never would choose another different one. It helps me breathe better and talk more when I am in goal telling people what to do.
Question #2:
I love how the mouthguard does not fall out and you can talk clearly with it in
 

Ice Hockey Player #6

Question #1:
I don’t think this is a placebo affect because I have seen my flexibility increase when I put it in and also when in bite down I can feel how much stronger I am becoming.
Question #2:
I love it, it stays in really well but it also helps you out in those fast paced games where you need all the stamina you can get.
 
Ice Hockey Player #8
Question #1:
This could be the case since I feel I became more aggressive. However, I did feel my balance improve and felt like I was a more efficient skater with the mouthguard engaged.
Question #2:
I think the positive of the mouthguard is that it definetly stabilizes your body from top to bottom.
 
Ice Hockey Player #9
Question #1:
This mouthguard worked right away and when I am playing, I am not thinking about it, but I notice it in my play. I have better and more accurate stick skills. Also, I am not flexible, but with the mouthguard, I am able to do a good stretch.
Question #2:
It fit my mouth right away with no problems. I was stronger and more flexible.
 
Ice Hockey Player #11
Question #1:
No.  this definitely improves my balance and gives me an improved ability to absorb hits/ hit someone else.
 
Hockey Player #21
Question #1:
The area I noticed the most benefit was with my breathing and my ability to skate full speed for a longer period of time as a result.
 
Hockey Player #22:
Question #1:
No, I don't because I truly didn't believe it helped to the extent I thought it would. The things where I did see improvement were abilites to speak clearly and not have to fiddle with the mouthguard during plays. Otherwise, I saw a minor improvement in balance because I found myself not falling as easily after check.
 
 
Softball Player #1
Could you say that you felt positive affects with respect to your mouthguard “IN and “ENGAGED”? (As opposed to playing before with nothing in your mouth)
More Power  
Yes, I felt stronger and more powerful, I was able to squeeze the bat harder and hit the ball farther.
Better Balance  
Yes, I had much more balance and a stronger stance at the plate.  Also, while catching I had a stronger catchers stance behind the plate.
More Endurance  
I haven’t really noticed any difference in my endurance because we don’t run that much.
Easier Breathing 
I do have an easier time breathing with it, it gives me more energy.
Question #1:
I think that this could be a mental thing; however I don’t think it is.  I don’t think something in your head can make you perform that much better.  Being able to be so much more flexible during activities and being stronger isn’t anything to do with psychological effects; it is definitely the mouth guard.  I have never been able to do these things no matter how positively I was thinking.  The mouth guard really helped.
 
An Special Forces Army Soldier's Experiene with Mouthpiece in Gym: 
 
Section 4:     IN THE WORKOUT GYM
Since we placed the MOUTHGUARD “IN and ENGAGED” from the proposed theories as to the effects the PERFORMANCE ENHANCING MOUTHGUARDS are suppose to have on you physiologically such as; strength, balance, flexibility, stamina
       1) Now that you acclimated to the MOUTHGUARD “IN and ENGAGED” as before being in the workout gym without a MOUTHGUARD could you say:
 
a.  You had better workouts while engaging into the MOUTHGUARD;
                 Able to get more repetitions per excercise? 
                             Yes, reps increased by at least 10%
                  How many more repetitions per exercise?
                             Pull ups: (before mouthguard)  15  (After) 17
                            Squats 225 lbs:              (before) 10  (after) 11
                             Bench Press 135 lbs:    (before) 20  (after) 23
                   Able to lift more weight? 
                             Yes, can lift 5-10% more weight
                   How much more weight?
                             Squat: 10-15 lbs
                              Pull ups: 2-3
                              Bench press: 5-10 lbs
                  Running with more endurance and stamina?
                              Yes, running feels less taxing and more comfortable.
                 Running with better or more solid feeling of your foot-to-ground                                                                              platform/balance as you hit the ground 
                               Yes,  feel more stable and stronger as I run.
                 Felt your facial muscles were more relaxed during workout?
                                Yes,  much more relaxed.
 
High School Footbal Player's experience with mouthguard in the gym:
 
a.  You had better workouts while engaging into the MOUTHGUARD;
Able to get more repetitions per excercise?  Yes
How many more repetitions per exercise?  5
Able to lift more weight?  Yes
How much more weight? 15 to 20 lbs
Running with more endurance and stamina? Yes
Running with better or more solid feeling of your foot-to-ground             platform/balance as you hit the ground? Yes
 
Female Triathalon Athlete:
Question #1:
So much in training and sports is measureable that we can disprove the placebo effect. After just one training session, decrease in recovery time between intervals and increase in reps possible before exhaustion where noted.
Question #2:
I'm an amatuer who runs triathalons just for the thrill of beating my own best race time. As such, I'm excited about any tool that helps me see improvements without increasing my training time. This mouthguard helped me focus on the way I breathe  and made my workouts effecient and effective.