What’s Your Concussion IQ?

It can happen during a game or practice, and can occur in any sport even if you haven’t been knocked out and even if you’ve just been “dinged”. A concussion is a type of brain injury, usually caused by a bump, or blow to the head and ultimately it can change the way your brain works.

Emergency department visits for concussion are statistically on the rise (by more than 200 percent during the past 10 years), but that doesn’t mean concussion incidence is growing. Experts agree, it simply means people are more aware of the symptoms and seriousness of concussions and they’re reporting it more often. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 3.8 million sports and recreation related concussions occur in the United States each year. Symptoms can include: headache, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, double and blurry vision, sensitivity to light/noise and confusion. Sometimes having a concussion has been described as “just not feeling right”.

What should you do if you think you have a concussion?

Never ignore a bump or a blow to your head – Tell your coach and parents.

See your doctor or health care provider to be sure you are OK to return to play.

If it is a concussion, your brain needs time to recover – rest and let your brain heal.

Remember. . . when in doubt, sit it out!

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Upper Versus Lower Mouthguards: What’s the Difference?

Are you wearing the right type of mouthguard? Most athletes choose mouthguards that cover their upper teeth rather than their lower teeth. Why? Because upper mouthguards dominate the category on store shelves and athletes have grown up wearing uppers and simply don’t know the difference.

High-quality upper mouthguards offer a majority of athletes’ strong protection against oral and jaw injury. But we’re finding athletes who wear helmets with face shields, such as football, hockey and lacrosse players, can be even more comfortable and better protected with lower guards. These types of athletes often take blows to their heads during game play, which can lead to temporomandibula joint damage.

According to an article written by Noshir Mehta, a professor from a leading dental school university, dental-quality lower mouthguards, such as Shock Doctor’s Custom Mouthguard, can hold an individual’s jaw in a stable height and position in conjunction with his or her upper teeth.

So be smart about your safety! The next time you or your young athlete is in need of a new mouthguard, before automatically covering up those top chewers, ask yourself if you’re a good candidate for lower protection.

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