Effects of Mouthguards on ForceCole Turgeon

Mr. SpanglerWhitefish High SchoolAdvanced Chemistry

INTRODUCTIONResearch Question: Will the use of a mouthguard have an effect on the force applied?

Hypothesis: The use of a mouthguard will significantly lessen the force recorded from the initial force used.

BACKGROUNDConcussions are a huge part in sports today

-Many lawsuits from former NFL players

Mouthguards are thought to help prevent concussions

-No proven fact that they do

PROCEDUREInd. Variable: Mouthguard used

-Changed between three different mouthguard types (Custom, Top, Bottom)Dep. Variable: Amount of force

-Dropped a baseball from a set height for every test

PROCEDUREVernier accelerometer measured force

-Sensor that records directional force in m/s2

Data displayed on computer where sensor was attached

-Data values had a range of 30 m/s2

Data Collection

DATA (avg from 30 tests)

Base Test- 103.06 m/s2

Upper Jaw- 49.70 m/s2

Lower Jaw- 56.37 m/s2

Custom- 60.41 m/s2

CONCLUSIONMouthguards have a positive effect on force

Results were as expected-Mouthguard with the highest thickness of material had the lowest force recorded and test with no mouthguard was significantly higher than any other test

IMPROVEMENTSImproved sensor

-Sensor had a range of 30 m/s2

More accurate jaw alignment-Jaw movement was straight up and down which negated the proposed benefits of

lower and custom mouthguard

AbstractTesting the dampening effects of different mouthguards on an applied forces and the correlation to concussions. Data is used to find which type of mouthguard is most effective in lessening forces and the benefits provided as it relates to concussions.

REFERENCESMcCrory, Paul. "Do Mouthguards Prevent Concussion?" -- McCrory 35 (2): 81. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.

"Custom-made Mouthguards Reduce Athletes' Risk of Concussion, Study Shows." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 May 2014. Web. 08 Jan. 2015.

Johnston, K. M. "Sports Dentistry Online - Concussion Prevention and Athletic Mouthguards." Sports Dentistry Online - Concussion Prevention and Athletic Mouthguards. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2015

"FITGuard Mouth Guard to Detect Head Impacts That Lead to Concussions." FITGuard Mouth Guard to Detect Head Impacts That Lead to Concussions. Sports Medicine, 2 May 2014. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.

Stone, Paul. "Custom-Made Mouthguards May Help Prevent Sports-Related Brain Injuries." Traumatic Brain Injury. N.p., 1 May 2014. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.