The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation reports that approximately 15 million dental injuries and 63,000 concussions occur each year due to participation in school athletics. Unfortunately, in many regions of the country, mouthguards are not mandated for those playing contact sports. Mouthguards help prevent injuries to the mouth and teeth, but newer ones provide a measure of protection against concussions as well, which can occur with sports like boxing where there is little protection, and for football where contact repeats many times during an average game. The newer, custom-made mouthguards with double-protective layers help stabilize the mandible and the TMJ, keep alignment, and absorb blows to the head, reducing the potential for memory loss and serious cranial damage. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association has mandated mouthguards for soccer, football, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and basketball. According to its study, athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer injuries when not wearing a mouthguard. Custom-made mouthguards are preferred over stock or boil-and-bite mouthguards that can be bought in sporting goods stores. An accurate fit ensures adequate breathing and speaking, increasing comfort and wearability. However, they are more expensive and require a dental office visit for impressions and fitting of the appliance. A recent study at the University of the Pacific revealed that 22 athletes who tested the single- versus double-layered custom-made mouthguard preferred the double-layered mouthguard when asked to rate protection and comfort. The cost is more, but the protection may be worth it.
(Source: Word of Mouth, Massachusetts Dental Society, Fall 2006)
