For kids and teens playing contact sports, mouthguards are a common part of their gear. Whether it’s football, basketball, soccer, or lacrosse, most young athletes are used to slipping one in before they hit the field. Mouthguards are talked about a lot, especially when it comes to keeping kids safe. But something we often hear from parents is whether these protective devices help with more serious injuries, like concussions.
Mouthguards and concussions tend to be mentioned in the same conversations, which can be confusing. It’s easy to think that wearing something that protects the teeth might also help protect the brain. The truth is, they do offer some important protection, but not in the way most people assume.
The Purpose of a Sports Mouthguard
Mouthguards are designed for one main reason. They protect the teeth, lips, tongue, and jaw from injuries caused by contact. When someone takes a hit to the face or falls awkwardly, that small layer of material acts like a cushion to spread out the force. At New Life Dental Arts, we provide custom-fitted concussion mouthguards that are made using molds of each athlete’s teeth so they stay in place and feel more comfortable during play.
Here’s where mouthguards really help during sports:
- They lower the risk of chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth
- They protect soft tissues like the tongue and inner cheeks
- They can help reduce the chance of jaw injuries during hard impacts
What they don’t do is shield the brain from movement inside the skull. A mouthguard isn’t built to absorb or stop the kind of motion that causes concussions. Its focus is on the mouth, which makes it an important addition to any athlete’s safety gear but not a single solution for overall head protection.
How Concussions Happen in Sports
A concussion is a type of brain injury. It happens when a force causes the brain to move quickly back and forth inside the skull. This can occur from a direct hit to the head, or even from an impact to the body that sends force up to the head. They’re a big concern in contact sports where players fall, collide, or move fast toward one another.
In Lake Stevens, WA, and similar areas where school sports are popular, concussions are something coaches and families talk more about nowadays. The way concussions happen is very different from how cuts or bruises form. It’s not something athletes feel right away every time. Symptoms can show up later, and that’s part of what makes them tricky.
The difference between a hit to the mouth and a hit that causes a concussion comes down to how far the energy travels. A punch, fall, or elbow that lands on the face might cause a cut or knock out a tooth, but it’s only if the brain gets jostled that we’re dealing with a concussion. Protecting one doesn’t mean you’ve protected the other.
Where Mouthguards Fit Into Concussion Prevention
So, where do mouthguards come into play with all this? There’s a common idea that they help prevent concussions, but that’s not really how they work. They’re great for keeping the mouth safe, but they don’t reduce the motion that causes the brain to move inside the head.
Take this example. If a football player gets hit in the side of the helmet, their brain might move inside the skull, whether they’re wearing a mouthguard or not. The mouthguard won’t stop the jolt that the brain feels. It might protect the teeth if the jaws come together hard, but that’s about it.
Some people started thinking mouthguards could prevent concussions because of early studies or conversations in sports circles. But the truth is more about partial protection. It doesn’t mean they’re useless, just that they’re not designed for concussion prevention. Sometimes the value of one safety tool gets stretched by hopes or confusion about what it can actually do.
Better Ways to Help Reduce the Risk of Concussion
Keeping players safer from concussions takes more than gear. While a mouthguard has its place, there are smarter ways to lower the risk of head injuries in youth sports. These include changes in coaching style, better helmets, and higher awareness among players.
Here are a few ways that help reduce concussion risk during contact sports:
- Using helmets that fit correctly and are made for the sport being played
- Teaching safe playing techniques that lessen head-to-head or body-to-head contact
- Creating and following rules that discourage dangerous moves or hits
- Making sure players take a break if a head injury is suspected and getting them checked by someone trained to spot the signs
Coaches, parents, and kids all play a part in this. When everyone on the field knows what to look out for and what not to ignore, it’s easier to respond early. The goal isn’t just to stop injuries from happening, but to act fast when they do, so they don’t lead to something more serious.
Knowing What a Mouthguard Can and Can’t Do
Mouthguards are still a smart choice for young athletes. They help protect against dental injuries that are common in many sports. But it’s a mistake to expect them to handle everything, especially something as serious as a concussion.
What they do: cushion hard hits to the face, guard the teeth, and help protect the jaw.
What they don’t do: stop motion inside the head or prevent brain injury from forceful plays.
The best way to know what your child needs for the sport they play is to talk with someone who understands both safety and performance. Every sport is different, and every athlete has different risks depending on their age, habits, and how they play. Taking a full look at protection not only rounds out the gear, but gives everyone more peace of mind when the game is on. In our Lake Stevens office, concussion mouthguards are part of a broader range of custom-fit protection options we offer for athletes, alongside services like nightguards and oral appliances for sleep-related concerns.
At New Life Dental Arts, we care about keeping young athletes safe while playing the sports they love. Although a mouthguard supports oral protection, families often ask how it connects to head safety. We are here to help explain the role of mouthguards and concussions in an overall safety plan for kids in Lake Stevens, WA, and can discuss options based on sport, age, and level of contact. Give us a call to schedule a visit and learn what makes the most sense for your child.