As Sports-Related Brain Injuries Rise, PowerPlus Mouthguard Suggest Using Mouthguards As Prevention

Despite being used in sports for decades, mouthguards have garnered new attention as tools to possibly prevent sports-related brain injuries.

TRAVERSE CITY, MI / ACCESSWIRE / April 6, 2023 / Though sports are deeply embedded in American culture, they oftentimes present grave health risks for children and adolescents. Each year, anywhere from 1.7 to 3 million sports concussions occur, and concussions from sports are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people aged 15 to 24 years old.

Unfortunately, the severity and levels of concussions can be life-threatening, and currently no concussion treatments exist. The worst sport injuries and concussions cause memory and concentration problems, mood swings, personality changes, headache, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, and can trigger early-onset dementia. Furthermore, studies have found that people who sustained traumatic brain injuries were four to six times as likely to get a dementia diagnosis.

The discovery of such severe repercussions has begun to scare off athletes from participating in contact sports all together. But engaging in sports has proven benefits including proper emotional regulation, social development, and optimal physiological health.

Rather than not participate in sports, a simple solution to reduce the frequency of concussions and brain injuries may be to adjust how athletes wear mouthguards.

For decades, mouthguards have been a vital piece of protection equipment in the sporting world. Typically, athletes wear mouthguards on their upper jaws. But because the upper jaw is not movable like the lower jaw, the upper position cannot be changed for each individual into a better physiologic function. Now, researchers discovered a neuromuscular body mechanism that shows how better the jaw performs when the lower jaw is in its physiologic rest position.

Dr. Michael Hutchison, is the founder and creator of PowerPlus Mouthguard. PowerPlus Mouthguard wad developed utilizing the new ground breaking neuromuscular research which shifts the positioning to the lower jaw and to the jaws physiologic rest position can reduce the number of concussions and brain traumas.

“As an athlete, it is essential to have the right gear and equipment to ensure peak performance while also prioritizing protection, comfort, and confidence,” Dr. Hutchison says.

“Wearing custom-made, properly fitted guards statistically reduces the incidence of concussion or traumatic brain injury compared to traditional mouthguards,” he says. Studies indeed back this up; clinical trials show wearing a mouthguard can lower concussions by nearly 30%, but the percentage exponentially increases for athletes who shift to using custom-fitted mouthguards for the bottom jaw.

“Sports are a great way to stay active and have fun, but head injuries are a serious matter that can have long-term, life-altering consequences, especially for young athletes,” he states. “As a parent, coach, or anyone involved in youth sports, it’s our responsibility to prioritize safety and take steps to prevent head injuries.” And when such a simple solution exists, there’s all the reason to try.

ABOUT

PowerPlus Mouthguard lowers the risk of concussions and reduces the long term effects of concussions in professional and student-athletes by using a neuromuscular approach that places guards on lower jaws. Helmed by Dr. Michael Hutchison, a foremost leader in Neuromuscular Dentistry, PowerPlus Mouthguard has armed over 6,500 athletes with premier mouthguard protection. For information, visit powerplusmouthguard.com. Additional information, visit PowerPlus Mouthguard on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube.

CONTACT

Dr. Michael Hutchison, DDS
231-645-4975
[email protected]

SOURCE: PowerPlus Mouthguard