from Concussions and Jaw-Joint Injuries

WIPSS JAW-JOINT PROTECTION

Contact and impact sports are played by hundreds of millions of participants in the US and world wide.

• Why do athletes need jaw-joint protection?
• How does the jaw-joint protector work?
• What are the benefits of this breakthrough form of protection?

Athletes Must be Protected from Concussions & Jaw-Joint Injuries in Sports

Football, Hockey, Soccer, Track & Field, Martial Arts, Boxing, Lacrosse, Rugby, Basketball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Baseball, Cycling, Conditioning, Volleyball, Skiing, etc.

         _____________________________________________________________________
             CONCUSSIONS HAVE FRIGHTENING CONSEQUENCES THAT DON'T
                               ALWAYS END WHEN CONSCIOUSNESS IS REGAINED               

Parents, coaches and organizations governing the activity of children participating in sports have the responsibility to protect from injury the vulnerable jaw-joint and base of the brain. It is unfortunate that in sports we have overlooked the existence and importance of this delicate area, while athletes continue to suffer the physical consequences of jaw-joint injury. These consequences are attributed to the damage from the lower jaw being slammed against the base of the skull and the effects on the surrounding structures.

We can no longer ignore the existence of the body's most vital joint...the risk is much too great.

Overwhelming data points to the fact that jaw-joint injuries are occurring at an alarming rate in the sports population.

Jaw joint injury, seen in children as young as eight years of age, is one of the hazards uniquely associated with impact and contact sports such as hockey, football, rugby, soccer, martial arts,  lacrosse and boxing to name a few. The most frequent cause being repeated blows to the head, chin or jaw during aggressive exchanges in the sports arena. In practically all instances, the bones of the jaw-joint and at the base of the skull are damaged.

The complex bones of the jaw-joint  house and port cranial nerve trunks as they exit the brain. They also house the blood supply to the brain and the hearing and balance mechanisms, among others. Thus it should come as no surprise that contact sports participants show symptoms as listed in table #1.

FOOTBALL

Helmets and other protective equipment can contribute to jaw-joint injuries.

In helmeted sports such as football, lacrosse and hockey, damage to the jaw-joint and surrounding structures is induced by blows to the faceguard and helmet.

The four point chin-strap-cup assembly contributes to the progression of damage identified in the jaw-joint of football players. The chin-strap securing the helmet to the head, pulls the lower jaw back and up into the joint space. The forces of impact to the faceguard or helmet are transmitted indirectly through the chin-strap to the base of the skull and jaw-joint complex.

SOCCER

An aggressive contact sport.

X-ray studies reveal fractured and scarred bone patterns of the jaw-joint and base of the skull of players as the result of the jaw-joint being forcefully and repeatedly impacted during play. This is attributed to the following:
          (a) the aggressive action of play and physical contact;
          (b) the player being hit in the head with the ball;
          (c) heading the ball.
Every force produces an equal and opposite directional component of force. Since the lower jaw is not attached to the skull, at the moment the ball impacts the head, the lower jaw can slam against the base of the skull. These forces account for a large percentage of the damage found in the jaw-joint and the base of the skull of soccer players.

HOCKEY

In Hockey Players the scarred and fractured bone patterns identified in x-rays of the jaw-joint complex and surrounding structures is much greater due to the rapid acceleration of the players on skates.

Jaw-joint protector reduces the risk of head injuries.

Tests have shown that the WIPSS jaw-joint protector prevents needless head related injuries and reduces the risk of impact to the vital jaw-joint structure. WIPSS protectors are engineered to create a buffer between the bones of the jaw-joint. This is achieved by repositioning the lower jaw into a downward and forward position, and locking upper and lower teeth into the bite surface of the jaw-joint protector. This positioning creates an opening in the protector which facilitates breathing and speech, and stabilizes the jaw and jaw-joints during impact.

The jaw-joint protector redistributes the force of head and facial impact away from the jaw-joint complex and surrounding structures and into the protector and the strongest structure of the body (the teeth). WIPSS jaw-joint protectors are easily adaptable to the upper and lower braces of the orthodontic patient.

The WIPSS jaw-joint protector will enhance the strength and performance of the experienced athlete.

This is due in part to the fact that the athlete will have sustained injury to the unprotected jaw-joint. There is a reflex mechanism activated by clenching the teeth and carried out through nerve functions associated with the jaw-joint. Any jaw-joint injury impairs this reflex mechanism and decreases the strength of the athlete without their knowledge. The WIPSS jaw position activates the effectiveness of the strength reflex. The repositioning enhances the strength and the performance of the athlete while preventing injury to this delicate area. Studies of experienced athletes have shown upper and lower body strength increase up to 35% while wearing WIPSS. It is also noteworthy that many of the symptoms (listed in table #1) suffered by the athlete are not present when wearing WIPSS protectors.

Table 1
SYMPTOMS FROM JAW-JOINT INJURIES

EYES

•    Sensitivity to light
•    Pulsating pain behind eyes
•    Bloodshot eyes

MOUTH

•    Discomfort when chewing
•    Discomfort when at rest
•    Pain when opening mouth
•    Clicking or popping when opening mouth
•    Limited opening of mouth
•    Jaw jumps or deviates to one side when opened 
•    Jaw locks in open position when eating, yelling, or yawning
•    Teeth don't fit together properly; can't locate "bite"
•    Unconscious grinding of teeth, especially during times of anxiety or when asleep
•    Tender, sore or loose teeth

HEAD

•    Radiating headache pain from forehead to eyebrow area
•    Pain and pressures similar to sinus problems
•    Ache in temple area - above and in front of ear
•    Hair or scalp painful to touch
•    Radiating pain in back of head
•    "Migraine" type headaches

EARS

•    Decrease in hearing capacity
•    Earache but no infection
•    Constantly clogged or itching ear with no infection or foreign body present
•    Dizziness or vertigo; ringing, hissing or buzzing sound

THROAT & NECK

•    Sore throat but no infection
•    Sore, tired, and stiff neck muscles
•    Pain and numbness in arms and fingers
•    Frequent shoulder and neck pain
•    Recurring stiff-neck pain

MOTOR FUNCTIONS

•    Impaired and slurred speech
•    Frequent episodes of nausea and vomiting
•    Impaired sense of balance
•    Noted increased fatigue in normal training routine

WIPPS Benefits for the Athlete:

•   Greatly reduces likelihood of damage to jaw-joints and surrounding bones in the head.

•   Protects upper and lower teeth.
•   Offers greater stability against dislodgement.
•   Promotes & facilitates healing in damaged jaw-joints.
•   Decreases frequency of lip and tongue injuries.
•   Promotes active and passive breathing.
•   Provides the freedom of speech.
•   Fits over orthodontic brackets.
•   Universal size easy to custom fit.
•   Enhances performance by increased oxygen to lungs.
•   Restores strength loss due to previous injury.