Can A Mouthguard Protect Your Child Athlete From Head Injury?
Posted on: 7 January 2015
As a parent of a football player, you probably are aware that playing the sport has a risk of head injuries, including concussions. Wearing a helmet on the field can help protect your child's head. What you might not know is that there is a dental connection to concussions that could possibly lower your child's chance of experiencing a concussion.
Concussions and Football
The correlation between football and head injuries have made national news as more professional players speak out on it. The risk of suffering head injuries is not limited to professional players. Young athletes are just as much as risk of experiencing a head injury.
One study claims that high school players suffered concussions at a rate of 11.2 every 10,000 games and practices. The number could be higher because many students do not even realize they have suffered a head injury or do not report it.
Concussions and Mouthguards
To protect your child's teeth from injury while playing football, he or she has to wear a mouthguard. The mouthguard can play an even bigger role in on-the-field safety than you realize though. Studies have shown that football players who wear custom mouthguards are at a decreased risk of suffering a concussion.
Players who wore an over-the-counter mouthguard experienced a higher percentage of concussions at 8.6 percent. According to one study, wearing a custom mouthguard dropped the rate of concussions in players down to 3.6 percent.
Researchers believe that the custom mouthguard does a better job of stabilizing the head and neck during impact and can limit the movement of the jaw. Custom made mouthguards are also typically thicker than the over-the-counter brands which ups the protective factor.
Mouthguard Maintenance
It is important that your football player keeps the mouthguard in good condition. It is most effective when properly cared for. In addition to cleaning the mouthguard with cool water and a toothbrush, your child needs to store it in a well-ventilated box. The box helps to protect it from environmental factors that could cause it to warp.
Your child also needs to have the mouthguard checked during annual checkups by your family dentist. The dentist can ensure the integrity of the mouthguard is still sound and make adjustments if necessary.
By working with your child's dentist, you can help lower his or her chances of developing a concussion. If your child experiences any discomfort while wearing the mouthguard, schedule an appointment with your dentist.
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