Effects of a Single and Double Commercial Athletic Mouthpiece on Expiratory Peak Flow: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

Utilizing an Assess Peak Flow Meter, six healthy subjects with no lung disease volunteered to have their expiratory peak flow measured under the following five conditions: 1. Biting on the oral tube of the peak flow meter and lip-sealing the tube; 2. Using a custom built diaphragm allowing the subject to lip-seal the tube of the peak flow meter without biting on it; 3. Using orange wood blocks of known dimension bilaterally on the posterior occlusion, and a custom built diaphragm allowing the subject to lip-seal the oral tube of the peak flow meter without biting on it; 4. Using a commercial single (maxillary) athletic mouthpiece and a custom built diaphragm allowing the subject to lip-seal the oral tube of the peak flow meter without biting on it; and 5. Using a commercial double (maxillary and mandibular) athletic mouthpiece and a custom built diaphragm allowing the subject to lip-seal the oral tube of the peak flow meter without biting on it. Expiratory peak flow measurements were virtually the same whether the subjects bit and lip-sealed on the oral tube of the peak flow meter, used the custom diaphragm and lip-sealed without biting on the oral tube of the peak flow meter, or bit on the orange wood blocks while using the custom diaphragm and lip-sealing without biting on the oral tube. There was significant deterioration (p <.0001) in expiratory peak flow volume when either the single or double commercial athletic mouthpieces were employed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert Schwartz

Dr. Robert Schwartz received his D.D.S. degree from the Thomas W. Evans Museum and Dental Institute, School of Dentistry, University of Pennsylvania where he graduated a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He is a clinical professor in the Department of Periodontics—Post Graduate Periodontics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Dental School and is course director of the section for occlusal and temporomandibular joint considerations. Dr. Schwartz has published many papers and is currently in private practice in Rahway, New Jersey.

Brian J. Collins

Dr. Brian J. Collins is the Director of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department, Elizabeth General Medical Center, Elizabeth, New Jersey and is an attending physician at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Dr. Collins is also a past member of the Governing Council for the New Jersey Thoracic Society.

Cynthia Fong

Ms. Cynthia Fong is a dental hygienist and currently the Western U.S. Clinical Educator for DENTSPLY Preventive Care Division, York, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Union College and Columbia University and is distinctly qualified as a speaker, author and educator. Previously, she held the position of Clinical Associate Professor and Academic Program Director for Preventive Dentistry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Dental School. Additionally, Ms. Fong has presented and published numerous articles to a wide variety of audiences, including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, students and the general public. She has been recognized for her efforts and contributions to the profession as a recipient of national, state and local awards including the Warner-Lambert/ADHA Excellence in Dental Hygiene.