Abstract
BackgroundSports-related dental injuries, such as tooth fracture, loosening, and avulsion, are a major concern among young athletes because they directly impair oral function. Although the preventive efficacy of mouthguards has been well established, the prevalence of sports-related dental injuries remains high among young athletes. The aim of this study is to identify the variables contributing to the risk of sports-related dental injuries by conducting a survey on large population of young athletes in Miyagi prefecture.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with school-aged athletes (aged 6–15 years, n = 5735) using a self-reported questionnaire. The questionnaire examined general variables, including sex, age, and body mass index; sports-related variables, including sports-type, team level, activity schedule, break time, and verbal/physical abuse by coaches; and lifestyle variables related to free time, including screen-time and sleep duration. Their associations with sports-related dental injuries were examined using multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of sports-related dental injuries was 13.3% (763 of 5735 young athletes) and was higher in males (14.3%, 592 of 4132) than in females (10.7%, 171 of 1603; adjusted odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.48 [1.22–1.79], p < 0.001). After stratification according to sex, significant associations with the prevalence of sports-related dental injuries were evident for three variables—insufficient break time, verbal abuse, and physical punishment—in males (adjusted ORs [95% CI]: 1.35 [1.03–1.77], p = 0.032; 1.31 [1.05–1.62], p = 0.015; and 1.36 [1.06–1.75], p = 0.016, respectively) but not in females (adjusted ORs [95% CI]: 0.88 [0.53–1.47], p = 0.623; 1.29 [0.87–1.91], p = 0.206; and 0.97 [0.57–1.63], p = 0.894, respectively).ConclusionsAlthough our results might be based on the individual athlete’s self-perception to the sports-related variables, our results suggest that insufficient break time, verbal abuse, and physical punishment from coaches are positively associated with the prevalence of sports-related dental injuries in young male athletes.
Highlights
Sports-related dental injuries, such as tooth fracture, loosening, and avulsion, are a major concern among young athletes because they directly impair oral function
We investigated factors associated with sports-related dental injuries by a cross-sectional study using a large population sample of young Japanese athletes
The participants were young athletes aged 4–18 years belonging to the Miyagi Amateur Sports Association, which was established in Miyagi prefecture with the aim of promoting the health of young people through sports
Summary
Sports-related dental injuries, such as tooth fracture, loosening, and avulsion, are a major concern among young athletes because they directly impair oral function. The preventive efficacy of mouthguards has been well established, the prevalence of sports-related dental injuries remains high among young athletes. Traumatic dental injuries are a major oral health problem in children and adolescents [1,2,3]. Severe dental trauma to the teeth and/or periodontium, such as tooth fracture, loosening, and avulsion [4, 5], directly results in the impairment of oral functions such as chewing and speech [6, 7]. The identification of factors associated with the prevalence of sports-related dental injuries in children is an important step toward their prevention
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