Athletic Training Office
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Custom Mouthguards are available through Dr. Rich O'Braits's office:
Rancho Niguel Dental Group
30140 Town Center Drive
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 map
 The Importance of MouthguardsSome sports require mouthguards, however all contact sport participants are at risk of experience severe mouth injuries. Most sports participants use a less effective boil-and-bite mouthguard. Custom made mouthguards are more effective in preventing dental injuries and severity of concussion because they sit very tight to the teeth, cover the gum line, are more comfortable, are easier to talk and breath with, and are made with stronger material. It is still possible to experience a concussion with a custom made mouthguard, however the severity of injury is lessened. Custom mouthguards should be checked periodically for wear and replaced every year. How Mouthguards Work With no mouthguard a blow to the lower face sends shock waves through the skull. A direct impact can fracture the front teeth but blows, particularly to the lower jaw, can also cause other damage. A blow to the lower jaw may slam the jaws together and the sudden impact of the fairly sharp lower teeth into the back of the upper teeth acts like a chisel. This can cause a fracture of the upper teeth punching them forwards.
In some cases the transmitted forces may lead to a fracture of the lower jaw or may even travel through the jaw joint (TMJ) into the base of the skull causing a concussion. Mouthguards act like a shock absorber by spreading the force over a larger area and increasing the time for the peak force to occur. Dissipating the energy of the blow over a longer period of time and over a larger area reduces its effect and prevents, or vastly reduces, any injury. |
