Mouthguards & Concussions The single most important value of a mouthguard is the concussion saving effect following impact to the mandible (lower jaw). Ninety-five percent of all football concussions are transmitted through the mandible to the brain. Therefore, the use of athletic mouthguards should be encouraged in all contact sports. Mouthguards serve as a shock absorber to help prevent concussions and possibly brain injuries. With the proper thickness of 3 to 5mm between the teeth, mouthguards may reduce the rate of a concussion by preventing the condyle (lower jaw hinge) from being forced into the base of the brain (temporal bone) at impact. Besides possibly protecting against concussions and brain injuries, mouthguards also help protect against neck injuries. Lastly, mouthguards help protect the teeth by distributing the force of a blow over all of the teeth ultimately diminishing contact between the mandible (lower jaw) and the maxilla (upper jaw). An athlete who does not wear a mouthguard may be susceptible to a concussion or jaw injury. A properly fitted mouthguard can cushion a blow to the mouth area and can help prevent such injuries. Sport Dentistry Facts Dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports. The majority of these injuries are preventable by wearing a Sportsguard Mouthguard. Every athlete involved in a contact sport has about 10% chance per season of an orofacial injury. Every professional athlete has a 35-56% chance of sustaining such an injury during their athletic career. More than 5 million teeth are knocked out each year during sport-related activities. This can help be prevented by wearing an athletic mouthguard. An athlete is sixty times more likely to sustain damage to their teeth when not wearing a protective mouthguard. The cost of a fractured tooth is many times greater than the cost of a dentist diagnosed and professionally designed mouthguard. The cost to replant a tooth and follow up dental treatment can run costly. A properly fitted mouthguard reduces the chance of the athlete sustaining a concussion from a blow to the jaw.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:45:34 +0000
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