Do Sport Mouthguards Prevent Concussions?

While mouthguards are primarily designed to protect the teeth, mouth, and jaw from injury, some research suggests that they may also be able to reduce the risk of concussions in sports.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine* found that mouthguard use was associated with a significantly lower risk of concussion in high school football players.

Another study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association* found that mouthguard use was associated with a lower risk of concussion in high school and collegiate football players.

According to a study done at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine and Sport Injury Prevention Research Center, custom-fitted mouthguards were associated with a lower risk of concussion in high school and collegiate ice hockey players.

According to the findings of “When we looked at both off-the-shelf and custom-fit mouthguards together in the analysis, we found their use lowered the odds of concussion by 64%.”

While researchers will admit there are more studies needed for a definitive answer, organization like the Ontario Hockey league have doubled down on mouthguard protocol, by dishing out 10-minute penalties to players not wearing their mouthguards correctly.

OHL-Vice President Ted Baker stated that the most recent medical data shows there is a 28% reduction in concussions among hockey players who wear mouthguards. There are also fewer dental injuries, and bills.

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It is important to note that these studies do not prove that mouthguards can prevent concussions, but rather that they may be associated with a lower risk of concussion. More research is needed to determine the exact relationship between mouthguard use and concussion risk.

While mouthguards may not be able to completely prevent concussions, they can still provide valuable protection for the teeth, mouth, and jaw during physical activity. It is always a good idea for athletes to wear appropriate protective equipment, including mouthguards, to reduce the risk of injury.

TruFIT’s precision cuts and strategically placed compression pads, ensure that athletes are receiving maximum protection while still being able to breathe clearly and communicate effortlessly with their teammates.

It is worth noting that mouthguards are just one aspect of concussion prevention. Other measures, such as proper equipment and rule enforcement, can also help to reduce the risk of concussion in sports.

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*References

Mouthguards may reduce concussion risk in youth ice hockey players, Chander, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-concussion-mouthguards/mouthguards-may-reduce-concussion-risk-in-youth-ice-hockey-players-idUSKBN1ZR2OX

McCrory PDo mouthguards prevent concussion? British Journal of Sports Medicine 2001;35:81-82.

Detailed description of Division I ice hockey concussions: Findings from the NCAA and Department of Defense CARE Consortium
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7987562/