Prevalence of dental trauma and mouthguard awareness among weekend warrior soccer players

Abstract

Traumatic dental and facial injuries are frequent in sports and often cause esthetic, functional, psychological, and economic problems. The term "weekend warrior" is used to describe people who participate in physically demanding activities only on the weekend, or part-time. In this prospective cohort study, we examined the prevalence of dental trauma and knowledge of traumatic dental injuries among weekend warriors in Ankara, Turkey. A detailed questionnaire on mouthguard awareness and knowledge and experience of dental trauma was distributed to 1,007 weekend warrior athletes participating in a soccer tournament. The results showed that 9.8% of participants had experienced orofacial trauma, 21.7% were aware of mouthguards, 2.9% reported using mouthguards, 15.4% were aware of the field of sports dentistry, and 19.6% were aware of emergency treatment for dental trauma. Participation in sports, especially contact sports, greatly increases the risk of dental injury. The present results show that knowledge of traumatic orofacial and dental injuries is limited among weekend warriors. Public health authorities should develop relevant educational programs, including broad dissemination of information on the risks of traumatic dental injuries and methods for protection against such injuries. (J Oral Sci 57, [191][192][193][194] 2015)

Prevalence and severity of traumatic dental injuries among young amateur soccer players: A screening investigation

“…Soccer‐related injuries to the head, face and neck areas represent about 3%‐10% of all soccer‐related injuries . Recent studies estimate that the frequency of soccer‐related oro‐dental injuries among amateur and professional adolescent and adult players was 0.1%‐32% . Still, prevalence studies of soccer‐related TDIs among young amateur players are scarce.…”

“…of soccer-related oro-dental injuries among amateur and professional adolescent and adult players was 0.1%-32%. 14,[19][20][21][22][23][24] Still, prevalence studies of soccer-related TDIs among young amateur players are scarce. In general, the prevalence of TDI among male soccer players in this screening study was 25%; however, the prevalence due to soccer-related activities was 11%.…”

“…Recent studies estimate that soccer‐related head injuries account for 2%‐19% of all injuries . Of those injuries, investigators have observed large differences in the prevalence of soccer‐related TDI, ranging from 10%‐60% . Although the dental injury prevention property of mouthguards is evident, there is no clear universal policy by national and international sports associations mandating their use .…”

“…12,13 Of those injuries, investigators have observed large differences in the prevalence of soccer-related TDI, ranging from 10%-60%. 12,14 Although the dental injury prevention property of mouthguards is evident, there is no clear universal policy by national and international sports associations mandating their use. 15 It has been estimated that fewer than 2% of soccer players use protective mouthguards routinely.…”

The use of mouthguards and prevalence of dento‐alveolar trauma among athletes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Contact sports are those in which participants establish direct physical contact with other players or objects, resulting in greater likelihood of trauma and injuries . Dento‐alveolar injuries such as tooth avulsion, fracture, subluxation, and intrusion demonstrate a significant prevalence in recent studies . It is recommended that contact sports athletes (from football, volleyball, basketball, handball, hockey, rugby, martial arts, and others) use safety devices, such as mouthguards, to minimize impacts …”