Mouth Guards

[blue23ll]

I  have noticed a few of the MLB umpires wear mouth guards when they work the plate. One of the reasons we wore them in football was to help prevent concussions, as well as protecting our teeth.  

 

How many of us actually wear them when we work the dish? I know I don't, but I am thinking I might start. 

 

Thoughts?

[slo8140]

I have worn the one ump-attire sells for several seasons. For some reason I did not wear it last season. Studies say they help with concussions. I am planning on wearing it again this coming season.

[acpar72]

@blue23ll who in the MLB is wearing them?

[Majordave]

I worked with a MiLB guy in Phoenix at MSBL World Series back in October/first week of November who wore one.   His calls were muffled but he had great mechanics.  I didn't ask what league or level he worked this year.  He did big league us by wearing MiLB logo hat and shirt.  We had three or four MiLB umpires who worked in that tourney.

 

I have never considered it.  Except for the damn Team Wendy's pads incidents of last March  (3 of them) I have never so much as felt anything more than a slight pressure from a hit to the mask.  

[Rulekeep]

@blue23ll who in the MLB is wearing them?

Andy Fletcher is the only one who wears a mouth guard.

Sidebar

Andy Fletcher creeps me out.

I wear one while wrestling because it helps with not having to worry about biting my tongue off. There's an ASA guy around here who wears a purple one because nobody in ASA wears helmets (or CP's or shins) and he doesn't want a jaw injury. :shrug:

[blue23ll]

 

@blue23ll who in the MLB is wearing them?

Andy Fletcher is the only one who wears a mouth guard.

Sidebar

Andy Fletcher creeps me out.

I wear one while wrestling because it helps with not having to worry about biting my tongue off. There's an ASA guy around here who wears a purple one because nobody in ASA wears helmets (or CP's or shins) and he doesn't want a jaw injury.

 

I saw Bob Davidson wearing one. 

[Replacematt]

What would one do with it when conferring with a manager? Issuing warnings? Keep it in the mouth between innings or not?

[Rulekeep]

What would one do with it when conferring with a manager? Issuing warnings? Keep it in the mouth between innings or not?

Fletcher claims to just pull it out and stick it in his pocket.

@blue23ll who in the MLB is wearing them?

Andy Fletcher is the only one who wears a mouth guard.

Sidebar

Andy Fletcher creeps me out.

I wear one while wrestling because it helps with not having to worry about biting my tongue off. There's an ASA guy around here who wears a purple one because nobody in ASA wears helmets (or CP's or shins) and he doesn't want a jaw injury.

I saw Bob Davidson wearing one. Andy Fletcher is the only one who wears a mouthguard reguarly.

[VAUmp]

Mouth guards DO NOT prevent concussions.  There are a total of ZERO studies that have ever proved this.  

 

I am appalled that www.ump-attire.com advertises a mouth piece with wording that states: "Umpires, imagine a mouthguard that not only lessens the chances for a concussion but doesn't hinder your ability to make calls and talk to coaches without having to remove. Not just any mouthguard, this Gravity 2 mouthguard was selected for use for umpires for these specific reasons."

 

Again, there is no scientific research that supports this claim.  Hell, helmets don't even prevent concussions in football or baseball.  How in the world can a piece of rubber around your teeth do it?  And $22 for a mouth guard???  Only an idiot would spend that much money for something like that.  But hell, to each his own.


 

[gnhbua93]

You can find the same mouth guard mentioned before on eBay cheaper and with free shipping.

[gnhbua93]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHOCK-DOCTOR-GRAVITY-2-STC-MOUTHGUARD-MOUTH-PIECE-GUM-Lower-Teeth-Mouth-Guard-/251480233823?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3a8d63d75f

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Shock-Doctor-Gravity-2-STCLower-Teeth-Lacrosse-Hockey-Mouthguard-Gel-Fit-/130976943503?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item1e7ed58d8f

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Shock-Doctor-Gravity-2-STC-Lower-Teeth-Football-Rugby-Mouth-Guard-Gel-Fit-/130976942797?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item1e7ed58acd

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shock-Doctor-Gravity-2-STC-Mouthguard-Lower-Teeth-Mouth-Guard-Piece-/151234659839?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item233649c5ff

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Shock-Doctor-Gravity-2-STC-Lower-Teeth-Lacrosse-Hockey-Mouthguard-Gel-Fit-/190892637422?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item2c72167cee

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Shock-Doctor-Gravity-2-STCLower-Teeth-Basketball-Soccer-Mouthguard-Gel-Fit-/141047457189?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item20d71565a5

[maineump]

I have worn a MG fitted by my dentist on occasion (originally made for when I referee hockey) - and I don't notice the difference and have never been told that they can PREVENT concussions. Where I do notice it is less pain in the TMJ (where the bottom jaw attaches to the rest of your squash) on a hard shot off from the chin. I am told by an NCAA hockey trainer that it is because it prevents the jaw from slamming back (if it fitted properly). It will not prevent a concussion, especially if you have had one before.

 

Communication is alright, but seems to be slurred, even when the mouthguard is fitted properly. It works fine in hockey as it is just numbers and signals. When something has to be explained, then I take it out and keep it in my hand. In baseball a 'cleaner' place to keep it would be your shirt pocket for in between innings. Generally on line-up changes, you can work your way through it.

 

IMO - is there a difference or advantage to wearing one? No. This has to be a personal choice between you and your dentist/trainer or some other medical professional.

[JaxRolo]

Mouth guards DO NOT prevent concussions. There are a total of ZERO studies that have ever proved this.

I am appalled that www.ump-attire.com advertises a mouth piece with wording that states: "Umpires, imagine a mouthguard that not only lessens the chances for a concussion but doesn't hinder your ability to make calls and talk to coaches without having to remove. Not just any mouthguard, this Gravity 2 mouthguard was selected for use for umpires for these specific reasons."

Again, there is no scientific research that supports this claim. Hell, helmets don't even prevent concussions in football or baseball. How in the world can a piece of rubber around your teeth do it? And $22 for a mouth guard??? Only an idiot would spend that much money for something like that. But hell, to each his own.

You shouldn't be calling @slo8140 or anyone else here an idiot.

[johnnyg08]

The British Journal of Sports Medicine calls it neuromythology.

 

http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/35/2/81.full

[Replacematt]

Mouth guards DO NOT prevent concussions.  There are a total of ZERO studies that have ever proved this.  

 

I am appalled that www.ump-attire.com advertises a mouth piece with wording that states: "Umpires, imagine a mouthguard that not only lessens the chances for a concussion but doesn't hinder your ability to make calls and talk to coaches without having to remove. Not just any mouthguard, this Gravity 2 mouthguard was selected for use for umpires for these specific reasons."

 

Again, there is no scientific research that supports this claim.  Hell, helmets don't even prevent concussions in football or baseball.  How in the world can a piece of rubber around your teeth do it?  And $22 for a mouth guard???  Only an idiot would spend that much money for something like that.  But hell, to each his own.

 

 

Yes, there is. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140501101133.htm

 

-and- 

 

Yes, they do. They don't prevent all concussions, but they prevent some, if not most.

[Umpire in Chief]

Mouth guards DO NOT prevent concussions.  There are a total of ZERO studies that have ever proved this.  

 

I am appalled that www.ump-attire.com advertises a mouth piece with wording that states: "Umpires, imagine a mouthguard that not only lessens the chances for a concussion but doesn't hinder your ability to make calls and talk to coaches without having to remove. Not just any mouthguard, this Gravity 2 mouthguard was selected for use for umpires for these specific reasons."

 

Again, there is no scientific research that supports this claim.  Hell, helmets don't even prevent concussions in football or baseball.  How in the world can a piece of rubber around your teeth do it?  And $22 for a mouth guard???  Only an idiot would spend that much money for something like that.  But hell, to each his own.

 

 

I have no qualms with the wording. It says "lessens your chance" not prevent. 

 

I do believe in the effectiveness of mouthguards. I actually highly encourage people to wear them. Yes there are conflicting reports of their effectiveness. But worse care scenario, what does it hurt?

 

I did use a mouth guard for a few years. And I started with this Gravity 2 mouth guard mentioned above. It wasn't the right product for me. 

 

I ended up trying the BIOguard I Mouthguard ( http://www.custommouthguardstore.com/BIOguard-I-Mouthguard-Kit-p/bioi-1color.htm) and yes I did get the clear one. 

 

I liked this. It was minimally visible and I could speak clearly with it. Some of my partners thought it was unnecessary, but that's their opinion. I will probably be getting a new one for this year. 

 

Now I haven't taken a significant shot like the one that got me to try a mouthguard in the first place, but the $60 bucks is worth the piece of mind of additional protection. I realize It will not prevent further concussions and if you go in knowing this you're in the right state of mind.

 

Just think of it this way. I wear a Wilson Gold. Last season I wrote about a heck of a foul I took while wearing it properly and it still hurt. Not boo-hoo type hurt but I felt it more than I've ever felt a shot to the CP before and it did not feel good, at all. But it did it's job. So I got hurt while wearing a highly renowned CP, what would it have been with a lesser one? 

 

But I realize not everybody is on board with mouthguards for any number of reasons and that is their choice.