Association between Sports-Related Concussion and Mouthguard Use among College Sports Players: A Case-Control Study Based on Propensity Score Matching

Abstract

Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a major public health concern. This study aimed to assess the association between mouthguard use and the incidence of SRC in college students through a case-control study using propensity score matching. In total, 195 of 2185 potential participants volunteered to participate in this study. We used Google Forms online to capture participants’ information, including: age; gender; height; weight; sports contact level; level of play; exposure time; frequency of mouthguard use; mouthguard type; and SRC experience. Data for 115 participants who played collision and contact sports were used for the analysis. The difference in the frequency of mouthguard use was assessed between matched pairs and the overall association between SRC and mouthguard use was evaluated. In the matched groups, those who had not experienced SRC wore a mouthguard more frequently than those who had experienced SRC (7/28 vs. 1/28; p = 0.051). Logistic regression analysis showed there was a significant negative association between the frequency of mouthguard use and the incidence of SRC (odds ratio 0.101; p = 0.041). Within the limitations of this study, these results suggest that mouthguard use may offer some benefit in preventing SRC.

Mouthguard Use Effect on the Biomechanical Response of an Ankylosed Maxillary Central Incisor during a Traumatic Impact: A 3-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

“…Different contact sports activities have a high risk of maxillofacial injuries due to falls, collisions with players, hard surfaces, or solid objects [ 30 ]. Although often aware of the benefits of using a MG, the sport practitioner do not always use it [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The most reported reasons for not using a MG are the difficulty in breathing, discomfort, talking, or swallowing [ 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Although often aware of the benefits of using a MG, the sport practitioner do not always use it [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The most reported reasons for not using a MG are the difficulty in breathing, discomfort, talking, or swallowing [ 31 , 32 ]. Similar to previous studies [ 11 , 13 , 15 , 32 ], the present report reinforces the need to inform athletes and coaches about craniofacial injuries and the benefits of using a MG during a contact sport activity.…”

Biomechanical Behavior Evaluation of a Novel Hybrid Occlusal Splint-mouthguard for Contact Sports: 3D-FEA

“…Several physical activities present a possible risk of maxillofacial injuries due to (1) falls and (2) collisions with other players, hard surfaces and solid objects [30]. Although the importance of wearing a mouthguard is paramount as a preventive measure, the athlete does not always wear it, or wears it improperly [24][25][26]. Usually, the most common reasons for not wearing a mouthguard are discomfort and difficulty with breathing, talking, and swallowing, during an activity [24,27,28].…”

‘Injury prevention versus performance’: has the time come to mandate the use of mouthguards in all contact sports?

“…The evidence for mouthguard use preventing SRC, however, is less clear with studies reporting conflicting results. One meta-analysis reported that mouthguard use did not reduce the risk of concussion, 2 while other single-sport studies have shown that mouthguard use reduces the risk of concussion in adults 4 and children. 5 SRC remains a topic of significant interest in contact sports, due to the potential link with the risk of long-term neurodegenerative disease.…”