Why Mouthguards are Important for Contact Sports
- alisonpitt
- Jan 5, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 4
This article explains the importance of mouthguards in contact sports and the role they play in preventing serious dental injuries. With fast-paced movement and physical contact increasing the risk of tooth damage, understanding why mouthguards matter is essential for athletes, parents, schools, and sports clubs. Wearing the right protection can significantly reduce injury risk and support player safety at every level of sport.
The Importance of Mouthguards in Contact Sports
Sports and injuries go hand in hand. If you participate in sports, especially competitively or in contact sports, you're bound to get injured at some point, even if you take precautions. The term contact sport refers to a sport involving significant physical contact between opponents, potentially leading to damaged teeth.
Sports involving fast, physical movements or objects that move (such as bats and balls) increase the risk of tooth damage. According to studies, approximately 13% to 39% of dental injuries are related to sports. In the UK, approximately 25% of children will lose or damage a front tooth at some point. As contact sports become increasingly popular, traumatic dental injuries are on the rise.
Teeth can be damaged in several ways. Rugby, hockey, football, lacrosse, boxing, and MMA are among the sports with the highest percentage of dental injuries. Dental injuries are significantly more common in contact and collision sports, where impact and physical contact are unavoidable.
Listed below are some of the most common sports-related dental injuries:
Cracked teeth – Often painful and may worsen without immediate treatment. Cracks near the root can cause long-term damage if left untreated.
Fractured roots – Caused by heavy impact to the jaw, these injuries are not always immediately visible and can lead to infection or tooth loss.
Tooth intrusion – Occurs when a tooth is pushed into the jawbone, potentially damaging the tooth root and surrounding bone.
Avulsed teeth – When a tooth is completely knocked out of its socket, often requiring urgent dental treatment or implants.
All dentists advocate that mouthguards be required for children playing contact sports at school or in clubs. Some dental insurance plans do not cover damage sustained during contact sports (including training sessions) if a mouthguard is not worn. It is recommended that orthodontic patients wear a mouth guard over their fixed braces by the British Orthodontic Society (BOS). Having a mouthguard in your sports kit is recommended in the UK. According to the Rugby Football Association's website: “In the best interests of players’ safety, we strongly recommend that all players wear a mouthguard during any contact rugby sessions. It has been shown that this significantly reduces the incidence of dental injuries”.
Prevention is always better than cure. It doesn't matter who you are, what game you're playing, or what level you're playing at. If there's an injury risk, you shouldn't take it. Always wear the proper protection. Time, money, and even your career can be saved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are mouthguards important in contact sports?
Mouthguards help absorb impact and reduce the risk of broken teeth, jaw injuries, and soft-tissue damage during contact sport.
Do mouthguards really prevent dental injuries?
Yes. Studies show that wearing a mouthguard significantly reduces the likelihood and severity of dental injuries in both training and competition.
Are mouthguards recommended for children’s sports?
Dentists strongly recommend mouthguards for children playing contact sports at school or in clubs, particularly where collisions or falls are common.
Are mouthguards mandatory in all sports?
While not compulsory in every sport, many governing bodies strongly recommend mouthguard use, and some competitions require them for safety reasons.
Understanding the risks associated with contact sports highlights why wearing a mouthguard should never be optional. For athletes, schools, and clubs, choosing appropriate protection is a simple step that can help prevent serious injuries and long-term dental problems.
Learning why mouthguards matter is the first step. Ensuring players wear properly fitted, quality protection is the next.
Comments