Athletic Mouth Guards Prevent Orofacial Injuries

Abstract

Competitive and recreational athletes are at significant risk of orofacial injury. The use of mouth guards and face shields can substantially reduce that risk. In this article, the author summarizes the known incidence of orofacial trauma and the benefits of using athletic mouth guards and advises college health professionals to advocate mouth guards for athlete-patients who are at risk.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Preventing and Managing Sport-Related Dental and Oral Injuries

“…In the United States, Woodmansey 16 reported that 39% of all dental injuries are sport related. A more recent study 126 of Taiwanese 15-to 18-year olds showed that sports and leisure activities accounted for 30.8% of traumatic dental injuries.…”

“…13,14 Although not all sports require mouthguard use, a meta-analysis 12 indicated that participants not wearing mouthguards (as is typical in non-mouthguard-mandated sports) were 1.6 to 1.9 times more likely to sustain an orofacial injury than participants who wore mouthguards. Because the financial burden of certain dental injuries (eg, tooth avulsions) can exceed $15 000 over an individual's lifetime, 15,16 effective management of these acute dental injuries is critical to the long-term oral health outcomes of patients. Therefore, a secondary goal of this position statement is to equip ATs with a set of mouthguard material, fabrication, and care recommendations to help lessen the physical, emotional, and financial costs associated with dental trauma.…”

Introduction

“…For example, it has been shown that bicycle helmets have reduced the incidence of facial trauma by more than 60%. 25,34,45,49 Chapter 11 elaborates on other areas pertaining to the protection and prevention of dental trauma.…”

Awareness and Use of Mouthguards in Athletes with a High Risk of Oral Trauma in Barcelona

“…Less-severe injuries include fractures and cracks in the enamel or concussions. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), more than 200,000 oral injuries may be prevented each year through the use of sports mouthguards [3].…”