[The use of mouthguards]

Area of Science:

• Sports Dentistry
• Oral Health Prevention

Background:

• Mouthguards are crucial for preventing sports-related oral injuries and associated costs.
• Despite awareness, mouthguard adoption among athletes, particularly in contact sports, remains low.
• Comfort and athlete motivation are key factors influencing mouthguard use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of mouthguard comfort and athlete motivation in preventing oral injuries.
• To emphasize the role of dentists, coaches, parents, and physicians in promoting mouthguard usage.
• To advocate for proactive dental practitioner involvement in mouthguard provision for athletes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on mouthguard efficacy and adoption barriers.
• Analysis of factors influencing athlete decision-making regarding mouthguard use.
• Discussion of educational and motivational strategies for stakeholders.

Main Results:

• Mouthguard comfort is a primary determinant of consistent use.
• Motivation, influenced by parents, coaches, and healthcare professionals, is essential for adoption.
• General dental practitioners have a significant role in educating and providing custom mouthguards.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing mouthguard comfort and enhancing athlete motivation are critical for reducing oral injuries in sports.
• A collaborative approach involving athletes, parents, coaches, and dental professionals is necessary.
• General dental practitioners should actively promote and provide mouthguards to athletes and teams.