MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota--Bite Tech, a Minneapolis-based technology company dedicated to improving performance and health, has partnered with Under Armour to release its latest product innovation: performance mouthwear.
Powered by ArmourBite, Bite Tech's patented technology, Under Armour Performance Mouthwear is a new line of custom mouthpieces and mouthguards designed to improve athletic performance. UA Performance Mouthwear can help athletes improve strength, endurance and reaction time, reduce athletic stress--and with the mouthguard--reduce impact from blows to the jaw.
When athletes exert themselves, clenching the jaw is a natural reaction. But teeth-clenching triggers the excess production and release of hormones, such as cortisol, that produce stress, fatigue and distraction. This hinders an athlete's performance.
ArmourBite Technology in UA Performance Mouthwear prevents an athlete's teeth from clenching, relieves pressure on the temporomandibular joint and prevents the excessive production of performance-sapping hormones.
"Throughout history, soldiers, warriors, and athletes realized that by preventing their teeth from clenching together with a leather strap or bullet, they were able to gain the edge they needed to get through, or even excel at strenuous or punishing activities," said Jon Kittelsen, Bite Tech's founder. "Our technology brings this ancient concept to today's athletes with a comfortable, safe product from Under Armour."
More than 25 years ago, Kittelsen helped revolutionize the mouthguard marketplace by introducing marketing and brand-building to the category. He founded EZ Gard Industries and launched Shock Doctor, a leading manufacturer of mouthguards for retail distribution. Kittelsen's name appears on almost 50 patents in mouthguard technology and other oral appliances.
Hundreds of professional, Olympic, and collegiate athletes have been using Bite Tech's performance mouthwear products for years. A roster of current and former athletes, such as Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson, Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade, New York Rangers Marian Gaborik, and retired sports legends Brett Hull and Raghib "Rocket" Ismail are among the athletes who have invested in Bite Tech's business.
Bite Tech has conducted years of independent studies at some of the nation's top universities and research centers, including The Citadel and IMG Academies.
"Under Armour is the perfect partner because we share their mission of using innovation to make all athletes better," said Bob Molhoek, CEO of Bite Tech. "We're thrilled to launch this technology under one of the most popular brands in sports."
Available late August exclusively through Patterson Dental's nationwide network of authorized dentists, the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear line includes:
* UA Performance Mouthpiece: Custom-molded mouthpiece with fit and comfort for noncontact sports such as baseball, golf, tennis, cycling, and running.
* UA Performance Mouthguard: Custom-molded mouthguard with protection and comfort for contact sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, and wrestling.
Additionally, a premium alloy version of the mouthpiece was planned for the UA Performance Mouthwear product line-up in fall 2009.
Visit Under Armour for more information on the new line of gear and to locate a UA Performance Mouthwear dentist.
To read more about Under Armour, go to Under Armour.
To comment on this product, go to PennWell Dental Community site.
