How do mouthguards help prevent concussions

Blomgren says. New gizmos and gadgets aside, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons AAOS urges physicians, coaches, and parents to take the following steps to help athletes prevent and monitor impact:. If you suspect a concussion, visit a doctor as soon as possible so they can assist you in creating an individualized recovery plan. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: March 22, Medically Reviewed. Reuters Health - Youth ice hockey players who wear mouthguards to protect their teeth and jaws may also have significantly lower odds of concussion, a Canadian study suggests. The new evidence that mouthguards may reduce concussion risk adds to the case for making them mandatory, Hagel and his colleagues write in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

It can also be caused by the lower jaw being driven against the skull where the joints are located. The proposed benefits of wearing a mouth guard was that it changed the position of the jaw so that when the impact occurred, the mouth guard would reduce the force into the skull. Previous studies have theorised that mouth guards can help absorb shock, stabilize the head and neck, and limit movement caused by a direct hit to the jaw.

Although there is yet any thorough guidelines and data on the consistent benefit of mouth guards, there appears to have some evidence on the use of them as a reduction in the risk of concussion. There are also no obvious negative outcomes other than them being uncomfortable when the athlete is first trying to get used to them.

Mouth guards are mandatory in NZ rugby after a significant reduction seen in ACC rugby related dental claims. Please read below to find out how we determine when and if a child is safe to return to these activities. Though in most scenarios, we cannot change school requirements, we can feel empowered to help our kids use screens with certain guidelines. We are all for healthy, active engagement, but it is of great service to look at the risk factors and reduce them.

Read more below, to find out how. Going from a busy schedule full of school, sports, and play-dates, to being quarantined, it comes as no surprise that times are challenging both physically and mentally.

Read more below for tips to keep your brain active in quarantine. Are mouth guards important for concussion prevention?