Mouthguards and their use in sports: Report of the 1st International Sports Dentistry Workshop, 2016

Dent Traumatol. 2017 Dec;33(6):421-426. doi: 10.1111/edt.12375.

Abstract

There appears to be much confusion or misinformation worldwide regarding mouthguards and their use in sports. In an effort to clarify where the international dental community stands on mouthguards and mouthguard research, the workshop looked at some important questions. The goal was to one day formulate consensus statements related to these questions, which will be based on current scientific evidence-based research, to motivate the international community of the importance of dentally fitted laminated mouthguards and the wearing of them by athletes of all sports. There are only five sports in the United States that require the use of mouthguards. If, through workshops such as this, the importance of wearing dentally fitted laminated mouthguards can be demonstrated, then more sports may require their athletes to wear them.

Keywords: concussion prevention; mouthguards; performance enhancement; sports dentistry; sportsguards.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Congresses as Topic
  • Humans
  • Maxillofacial Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Mouth Protectors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sports*