Evidence-based review of prevention of dental injuries

Despite efforts in reducing the number of dental traumas, most current studies indicate that the incidence of dental trauma remains unchanged and is at a relatively high level for children and young adults. When reviewing the literature on prevention, it is clear that until now the main focus has been on making and promoting mouthguards. The majority of the published studies on mouthguards have focused on materials used and how those behave and protect in vitro. The few epidemiologic studies that have been published on the possible protectiveness of the mouthguards in vivo are mostly of low level of evidence, and even those studies do not all agree on how much they actually protect the dentition. To compound the problem is the fact that the proportional ratio of dental trauma in organized sports is low compared with injuries that occur during children's play or leisure activities. It could be argued that the best strategic measure for preventing dental and oral injuries is education on both how to avoid them and what to do if an injury occurs. The demand of evidence-based dentistry and medicine calls for large prospective studies with randomized intervention to investigate the actual protection of mouthguards and faceguards. In addition, more emphasis should be placed on which is the best and most constructive way to educate youngsters and teenagers on how to avoid traumatic injuries to their teeth by using contemporary means like the Internet and apps.