Mouthguards

& Traumatic Brain Injury: What You Need to Know

Can a slim piece of plastic cushion the impact of a 220-pound linebacker running at you at fullspeed? Most of us wouldn’t want to find out. But, every day, football players and other athletes put mouthguards to the test against concussions.

That’s right: mouthguards. Protecting your teeth, it seems, plays a role in protecting your brain.

The exact relationship between mouthguards and protection against concussion is still being researched, with studies focused on just small pools of contact sport athletes.1 But research suggests that the Mouth-Body Connection® is strong and that a little piece of plastic can be a mighty piece of equipment.

said Dr. Cooper Bolak, of Snohomish Modern Dentistry in Snohomish, Wash. “The reverse is also true, but damage to the teeth doesn’t always show up right away. I have had patients who needed root canals in their 30s because they fell off their bikes when they were.10”

For this reason, Dr. Bolak said, it is important to tell your dentist if you have suffered a blow to the head or have been diagnosed with a concussion. And he advises you to tell your doctor if you’ve experienced significant injury to your jaw, even if you aren’t sure whether your brain was affected.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that is the result of a transfer of energy from an impact, including impact to the lower jaw, to the brain. 2 Just this past March, University of Illinois freshman guard Jayden Epps was hospitalized for a concussion following an “elbow to the jaw.”3

"Why does the jawbone pack such a heavy impact? Because, well, it’s heavy," said Dr. Bolak, who regularly lends his dental services to the Special Olympics as Special Smiles Clinical Director and has seen the Mouth-Body Connection® play out on the sports field firsthand.

“The mandible is a heavy bone. When it is slammed, that can add a secondary impact to the brain,” Dr. Bolak said. “Additionally, any form of inflammation in the body, including in the mouth from an impact or a broken tooth, would aggravate the inflammation that the brain experiences during a concussion. The most effective way to limit oral inflammation and cushion a blow to the jaw is to use a well-fitting mouthguard.” said Dr. Bolak, who makes mouthguards for Special Olympics athletes.

The benefit of having a dentist create your mouthguard is better fit. Insurance doesn’t always cover the device, however, so Dr. Bolak said using the thermoplastic variety sold in many drug stores is also a good option.

"If you are injured, whether on or off the sports field, remember that your dentist is a critical part of your wholehealth team.

In fact, your dentist could be the first line of defense in recognizing cognitive impairment or brain injury," Dr. Bolak said.

Smile Generation-trusted offices are among the only practices in the nation to offer cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans that create 3D images of the entire mouth, jaw, nasal and throat areas. These scans can help identify issues with lymph nodes and muscle tension in the joints – red flags for doctors and dentists alike.

“You can take these images to your primary care physician because even if you don’t think you have a problem now, it could turn into a problem down the line,” Dr. Bolak said. “This gives you the power to take charge of things before they become a problem.”

Dr. Bolak said that people are surprised to learn about the relationship between oral health and traumatic brain injury, and the dentist takes pride in educating his patients and community about the MouthBody Connection.

What does dentistry have to do with dementia? As it turns out, quite a lot.

“Bacteria in the mouth have toxins that cross the blood-brain barrier,” said Dr. Cooper Bolak, of Snohomish Modern Dentistry in Snohomish, Wash. “These toxins create inflammation which plays a role in brain health and overall health.”

Your dentist can educate you about how your oral health impacts your whole-body health, what we at Smile Generation® refer to as the MouthBody Connection®. 2

Your dentist can even help you discover if you are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s or other diseases through the help of salivary diagnostics. And, if you or your loved one is contending with Alzheimer’s disease, your dentist can partner with you to maintain the oral health habits that might slow the progression of the disease.

Testing

As a standard of care, Smile Generation®-trusted clinicians use OralDNA Labs® to perform tests that can help identify pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) that may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

Prevention/Risk Reduction

Researchers continue to find compelling evidence that Alzheimer’s and dementia are related to Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacteria that destroy gum tissue, lead to periodontitis and have been specifically linked to Alzheimer’s.3 Staying on top of your cleanings will reduce your risk of gum disease and periodontitis – and keep this bacterium at bay.

Oral Care and Alzheimer’s Studies have found that Alzheimer’s patients with gum disease declined more rapidly than those who did not have gum disease.4 That is why it is so important for patients with Alzheimer’s to be vigilant with their oral hygiene. If you are caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease, work with your loved one’s dentist to develop a routine, including methods of brushing and flossing, and schedule regular dental appointments in the morning to avoid “sundowning” or late-day confusion.5

Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that affects patients and family members alike. Because studies have found that older adults with signs of gum disease are more at risk of developing Alzheimer’s, keep brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly.

Nearly 70% of adults between age 40-79 saying they’ve used at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days.1 And while these remedies are often needed to help a person get healthier, they’re not without side effects – especially when it comes to your teeth and gums.

Research shows many commonly prescribed medications might lead to or increase your risk for a range of oral problems, from dry mouth to gum disease to tooth decay.2

One of the most common side effects of prescription medication on dental health is dry mouth, when not enough saliva is produced. Saliva helps protect teeth from cavities and germs,3 so when the mouth is dry, it’s more difficult to fight off tooth decay and the bacteria that leads to gum disease.

Certain medications can also cause stains or tooth discoloration,4 or affect enamel formation in children.

More serious conditions can be an outgrowth caused by medications used to treat heart disease, cancers, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, and more. For example, some medications like blood pressure reducers can cause swollen gums or overgrowth,5 leading to a build-up of bacteria. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, or can increase risk of heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular issues.6

If prescription drug use ever worsens into addiction, the previous risks apply, but there are additional concerns, such as lack of nutrition, neglect of oral hygiene and suppression of pain causing addicts to ignore the signs of poor dental health.7

The benefits of taking prescription medications generally outweigh any potential side effects, but your health providers can help guide you through those decisions so that both your body and your smile are as healthy as can be.

If you feel you are addicted to prescription medication and want help, you can contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357), which is a confidential, free, 24-hour-aday, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and communitybased organizations. You can also find help at findtreatment.gov.