Knowledge of traumatic dental injuries and mouthguard behavior among Croatian soccer players

Abstract

Objectives/AimSports‐related dental injuries occur frequently among athletes due to inadequate knowledge and prevention measures. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of active soccer players from all leagues in Croatia regarding traumatic dental injuries and the use of mouthguards.Material and Methods393 respondents completed a questionnaire‐based online survey from March 2022 to April 2022. The questionnaire consisted of 37 questions divided in four sections: demographic characteristics, experience with orofacial injuries, knowledge of emergency therapeutic procedures for dental injuries, and behaviors related to the use of a mouthguard.ResultsInsufficient knowledge was confirmed by a total score of 2.8 ± 2.8 points, with a possible maximum of 11. Respondents' better knowledge can be associated with educational level (p = .002), playing position (p = .046), and personally experienced injuries to the face and jaw (p ≤ .001) and teeth (p = .022). Less than 40% of respondents suffered facial and jaw injuries while playing football and 18.6% suffered dental injuries. Although most respondents (93.9%) were familiar with mouthguards and 68.9% believed that they help prevent injuries while playing football, only 16% used them.ConclusionThe study revealed significant gaps in knowledge regarding dental injuries and the practice of mouthguard usage among Croatian soccer players. Therefore, it is evident that additional education is needed to prevent dental injuries and take proper procedures when taking care of them among the examined population.

Predictive factors for maxillofacial fractures, sedentary behavior, and dental trauma literacy

“…36,37 However, participation of adolescents in sports activities without oral protective equipment may contribute to oral trauma as well. [38][39][40][41][42] In this Issue, Leite et al analyzed the factors associated with dental trauma in 12-year-old adolescents living in the five largest cities (>80,000 inhabitants) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul-Brazil. 43 A population-based cross-sectional study derived from the epidemiological survey was conducted to test whether sedentary behavior is a protective factor for TDIs.…”

“…The widespread use of social networks and the internet, especially among children and adolescents, leads to the importance of investigating whether sedentary behavior is associated with TDIs and other dental diseases, independently of contextual and individual factors 36,37 . However, participation of adolescents in sports activities without oral protective equipment may contribute to oral trauma as well 38–42 . In this Issue , Leite et al analyzed the factors associated with dental trauma in 12‐year‐old adolescents living in the five largest cities (>80,000 inhabitants) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul—Brazil 43 .…”

A Shear-Stiffening Mouthguard with Excellent Shock Absorption Capability and Remoldability via a Dynamic Dual Network

“…5 However, the actual usage of mouthguards is low, which is due to the physical discomfort caused by the thickness of the mouthguard. 6,7 As for commercial mouthguard material like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), the thicker the material is, the better the shock absorption ability is, and the optimal thickness should be more than 3 mm. 8−10 Therefore, there comes a contradiction between better impact resistance and physical discomfort caused by a thicker mouthguard.…”

“…During a series of sports, mouthguards have been widely used to prevent potential cranial-oral injuries such as tooth fracture, gingival laceration, alveolar bone fracture, and cerebral concussion. , Mouthguards could reduce the possibility of injuries through absorbing or distributing the impact force. , For example, the incident rate of basketball players wearing mouthguards for dental injuries can be reduced to 20% . However, the actual usage of mouthguards is low, which is due to the physical discomfort caused by the thickness of the mouthguard. , As for commercial mouthguard material like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), the thicker the material is, the better the shock absorption ability is, and the optimal thickness should be more than 3 mm. − Therefore, there comes a contradiction between better impact resistance and physical discomfort caused by a thicker mouthguard.…”

Mouthguards Based on the Shear-Stiffening Effect: Excellent Shock Absorption Ability with Softness Perception

“…By distributing force and dissipating energy, mouthguards could remarkably reduce the transmitted force to the oral tissues during collision resulting in minimizing the risk or severity of intraoral trauma (such as tooth fracture, luxated or avulsed teeth, jaw fracture, lacerations or contusion of lips and gingiva, etc. ). − Unfortunately, poor compliance with mouthguard wear has been found in athletes attributing to the interference of respiratory function and pronunciation, oral dryness, and even the influence of the physiological function of the temporomandibular joint. − To improve compliance with mouthguard wear, it is vital to improve the comfort of wearing a mouthguard. − Therefore, how to improve the feeling of mouthguard wear while ensuring sufficient protection for oral tissues is the hotspot in mouthguards.…”