Abstract
The aim of this study is to consider the hypothesis that wearing mouthguards (MGs) from a young age helps to shape players’ habit of continuing to wear MGs as adults. In addition, we consider the mandatory rule of wearing mouthguards in the youth category on the future wearing rates of mouthguards. Eighty-five Japanese male amateur rugby players were included in this study. We examined the relationship between the wearing rates of mouthguards when participants were high school students and as adults (in 2018) using a questionnaire. Collected data were classified into categories (age, mouthguard type, and applied mandatory rule or not), and their relationships were analyzed. The wearing rate of mouthguards in high school was significantly related to the wearing rate of mouthguards in adulthood (χ2 = 12.1, p < 0.01). The mandatory rule to wear mouthguards at high school was related to the wearing rates of mouthguards as adults, but not significantly (χ2 = 3.42, p = 0.06). Participants’ mouthguard wearing rates as adults were affected by their high school wearing rates. The mandatory rule of wearing mouthguards in the youth category may be somewhat effective for improving mouthguard wearing rates; however, it is more important to provide knowledge about their importance.
Highlights
Sports, especially collision sports, have a high risk of dental trauma [1,2,3,4,5]
MG usage in 2018 was 62.4% overall, and the highest wearing rate was found in participants aged 30 years or younger (75.9%), followed by 31–39 years old (66.7%), and 40 years or older
This study investigated the MG wearing rates as adolescents at high school and as adults in Japanese male amateur rugby players
Summary
Especially collision sports, have a high risk of dental trauma [1,2,3,4,5]. wearing mouthguards (MGs) is recommended in some sports to prevent orofacial injury, and the efficacy of MGs has been shown in many reports. Many in vitro studies have investigated the ability of MG materials to protect teeth and oral tissues. Fukasawa et al investigated the shock-absorbing capability of commercial thermoforming MG materials. They suggested that all commercially available mouthguard sheet materials have shock-absorbing capabilities 2 mm thickness) that are high enough to protect the teeth and oral tissue [6]. Many clinical studies have suggested that MGs prevent orofacial injury. Finch et al reported a controlled randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of MGs in preventing orofacial injuries in Australian football players, Dent.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
