American Football Players Have Helmets. Why Do They Still Need a Mouth Guard / Lip Guard Mouthpiece?

If American Football Players Have Helmets, Why Do They Still Need a football mouth guard / lip guard protector / pacifier mouth guard You name It?

When I tried to answer this question, I thought about the nature of American footballs themselves. From what I’ve witnessed, American football is an example of a “harsh sport”. Since it’s an example of a “harsh” sport (note: we emphasize the word “harsh” here), we can expect lots of injuries that American football players can experience.

How can American football be so physically harsh to the players?

The areas surrounding the players’ heads (including their foreheads), the nose, cheeks, jaws, shoulders, and more, are the body areas that are most vulnerable to hitting. At some points, American football is also identical to the horse riding sport in terms of bodily risk exposures.

Traumatic brain injuries are the common health risks for both American football and horse riding. Speaking about traumatic brain injuries, people usually refer to these severe health problems as concussions. These health problems happen when the tool for the sport hits some parts of the player’s head, and thus, such contact negatively affects the player’s brain.

Other health risks that American football players are prone to include strains and fractures on some affected body parts. Another serious health risk that I guess players should consider includes chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). When the health risks that American football poses don’t receive adequate amounts of treatment, particularly in long-term situations, we can worry about the player’s health.

What are the natures of American football?

Previously, I’ve let you know that American football is an example of a harsh sport. Now, you may ask me, how harsh American football truly is.

The goal of American football itself is to execute as many goals as the opponent’s goalpost. We also know the term “homerun” in American football, which means that the team’s batter has successfully cleared out the bases by getting away from the obstacles from the opponent’s side. In addition, we also use this term in Canadian football, which has the same gameplay rules as the American version of football.

It’s not rare for players of these types of football sports to harshly pull other players until their faces come in contact with the grass fields’ surfaces. At some points, one (or more) of the players can use the ball in ways that the ball hits the other player’s top parts of their bodies. The ball itself is hard to master, and the players’ characteristics tend to be aggressive and offensive when compared to other similar sports.

The need for a mouthguard and a helmet in American football

Now that I’ve let you know about the health risks that American football can pose and the nature a.k.a the characteristics of the sport and the individual players, you may start thinking that it’s normal for American football players to protect themselves with a helmet and a mouth guard.

Here, let us focus on the mouthguard that they use. The mouth guard’s purposes in every session of American football include protecting the players’ teeth and jaws. So, the mouth guard helps minimize teeth fracture risks that players can experience if only they don’t wear the additional American football equipment.

Since mouthguards also protect the players’ jaw, they would also minimize the injuries that are related to the surrounding parts of the head. In other words, American football players who use the mouth guard while they’re playing will experience less hurtful moments when the ball hits some parts of their heads because their equipment protects their heads and jaws.

Is it mandatory to use a mouthguard in American football games?

I have good news and bad news here. I will share the good news first; it’s not only that we prefer to listen to the good news, but I also think that the good news is the closest answer to this question.

The good news is: It is not mandatory to use a mouthguard. I would say this part is the good news because we don’t have to add more physical weight to the already heavy-weighted sport like American football. We can even still achieve the home run and the goal of the football game even when we don’t use the mouth guard.

Now, I will share the bad news: You will have lesser protective measures when you play this aggressive and fast-paced sport. American football is not only all about running around the fields and avoiding the opponents’ tackles; it’s also all about protecting the vulnerable parts of the body, including the areas surrounding your mouth.

You’ll have to think about other ways to cover your potential injuries and other health risks, which can cost you more than a mouthguard. It will happen when you don’t wear a mouthguard in American football games.

All in all, I would agree that helmets alone are not enough to protect American football players from their opponents’ attacks. We never know how vicious the opponents will be. So, we should wear additional equipment, including the mouth guard.