OT- Mouth guard usage
A question for those of us who would know. In watching games, I notice many players don’t use mouth guards. When I played, we were told they were to reduce the possibility of concussion (and in high school, we got a 15 yard penalty for not having it in). With all the concerns regarding head injuries, I’m wondering why this isn’t a required thing. Of course, it’s entirely possible that studies have disproven that claim and I didn’t notice.
October 8th, 2022 at 5:15 PM ^
Are you sure that people aren't using mouth guards? They're not always the big clunky things with lip protection in front and a strap around the facemask. Sometimes they're just around the upper teeth, and could be clear.
October 8th, 2022 at 5:24 PM ^
Having posted once before and getting flat out roasted by the community, I made sure before hitting enter. Lol
October 8th, 2022 at 5:55 PM ^
Yes, in fact one of the photos from the Iowa game shows a UM TE not wearing one, at least on that play he was photo'd
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mgoblog/52397702167/in/album-72177720302559783/
I've also noticed that the 'kneepads' required are frequently worn above the knee, esp. by WR's and DB's, I assume because players feel they slow them down.
I personally would want to wear one to prevent myself from biting my tongue when getting hit. Happened in HS, kid nearly bit a chunk of his own tongue off. Lots and lots of blood....
October 9th, 2022 at 1:36 PM ^
I noticed in some game yesterday a player had a mouth guard hanging on his mask, but then he took one out of his mouth too. Couldn't figure out why he had 2 mouth guards.
October 8th, 2022 at 5:18 PM ^
It is required equipment.
October 8th, 2022 at 5:21 PM ^
I thought DJ Turner wore one that looked like a baby binkie.
This has been my contribution to this thread.
October 9th, 2022 at 1:14 AM ^
He does
October 8th, 2022 at 5:22 PM ^
I've noticed that too with players leaving them dangling. I'm surprised they haven't been forcing players to have them in their mouths given the importance that is being put on reducing concussions.
October 8th, 2022 at 5:25 PM ^
Players are supposed to wear them but they don't have any impact on concussions.
October 8th, 2022 at 5:34 PM ^
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7345674/
this seems to say otherwise
October 8th, 2022 at 6:48 PM ^
The doctor in charge of the NFLs whole concussion/brain/whatever program said there's no correlation. He was on the Pat McAfee show talking about it, bc AJ Hawk never wore one. Pat and AJ argued about it for years, so they asked the question.
October 8th, 2022 at 5:28 PM ^
It seems as more research is done about concussions that mouth guards don't play much of a role in preventing them -
https://www.verywellhealth.com/wearing-a-mouthguard-and-concussions-1059300
October 8th, 2022 at 7:12 PM ^
Don’t recall which M player on dline, but one had a mouthguard dangling from his face mask AND in his mouth!
October 8th, 2022 at 8:21 PM ^
Dude shows up for dates with a condom on
October 8th, 2022 at 7:35 PM ^
I have to think that it depends on the type of hit or trauma. If your jaw is flopping around after the hit, it cannot be good for your head, your teeth, or your tongue.
October 8th, 2022 at 11:07 PM ^
Agree. Nothing turns somebody’s lights out faster than a clean hook to the jaw. The rotational forces seem amplified if your only trans axial joint is snapping loosely with the hit. I know a dislocated jaw can severely effect balance and equilibrium so it would seem logical to me. Unless you can get knocked out and not suffer a concussion?
October 9th, 2022 at 1:20 AM ^
The primary function of mouthguards is to protect the teeth from being chipped, fractured, or knocked out as a result of a direct blow to the face, something that is fairly common in both hockey and football. Protecting the teeth, in turn, protects the lips and cheeks from lacerations due to chipped or broken teeth. It is also often instinct to bite down before an impact, and a mouthguard gives a player something to bite into.
Mouthguards have a secondary function, though, as a shock absorber. Any significant blow to the chin can result in a force that travels from the chin to the jaw bone, into the teeth and facial bones. By acting as a shock absorber, mouthguards lessen the impact of the blow and prevent injuries, such as fractures, to the jaw. Broken jaws, and chipped or lost teeth, are not only hard to fix, but painful. It is best just to wear a mouthguard.