The "Buy-Max" mouthguard: oral, peri-oral and cerebral protection for contact sports.
Protective equipment plays an important role in the reduction of certain sports injuries. Mouthguards have been shown to reduce the number of orafacial and cerebral injuries in a variety of contact sports including rugby, hockey and boxing. The varieties of mouthguards available are discussed. The most effective, but also the most expensive, is the "Bimaxillary" mouthguard popularised by Chapman. It covers both dental arches and as the jaws are held in the position of heavy breathing, air flow is not impeded. The advantages and disadvantages of the various types of mouthguard are discussed.
Porter
M
M
Department of Sports Medicine, Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, Australia.
O'Brien
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001914:Boxing / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D009064:Mouth Protectors / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards