TMJ, temporal mandibular joint, disorders may result from arthritis, dislocation or injury, according to the American Dental Association. There are devices to protect your teeth and your TMJ or temporomandibular joint, which is a joint located near your ear.
Oral mucosa injuries
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences has done studies on mouthguards or any device that is designed to protect your teeth during competitive sports. They have found that they may protect the teeth, but they cause other injuries. For instance, they have found that the wearing of a protective athletic mouthguards may increase the number and intensity of oral mucosal injuries, which may cause localized soft tissue reactions such as hyperkeratosis, erythema, and ulceration. It is necessary to wear these devices to protect teeth, but it is also necessary to wear a device that fits properly. The mouthguard has to have smooth edges so that it doesn't cut into your gums or cheeks and needs to be replaced when it has worn edges.
Dental injuries
A positive note for athletic mouthguards by The Division of Sports Medicine and Department of Endodontics at the University of North Carolina stated that Mouthguard users had significantly lower rates of dental injuries and dentist referrals than nonusers.
Oral and systemic diseases
Another study that Oklahoma State University did was concerning diseases that are caused by these mouthguards. Protective athletic mouthguards are contaminated by microorganisms that have the potential to produce oral and systemic diseases. The cure or more provention for the contamination is to constantly clean your mouthguard, just as you would your orthodontic retainer or night guard.
Oralfacial sports injuries
Despite these issues, according to the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, meta-analyses indicated that the risk of an orofacial sports injury was 1.6-1.9 times higher when a mouthguard was not worn. However, the evidence that mouthguards protect against concussion was inconsistent, and no conclusion regarding the effectiveness of mouthguards in preventing concussion can be drawn at present.
So you know that my link above is correct, I want to mention that on July 11, 2011, the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine merged with the legacy VETCOM and was officially re-designated the U.S. Army Public Health Command.
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