Summary
There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals participating in contact sports. As a result, every effort must be made to provide the athletes with protection against mouth injuries. In this review the use, construction and benefits of mouthguards in all sports has been described. There is unanimous opinion attesting to the benefits of such protective drrices and in those sports where the athlete is required to wear a mouth-guard, a dramatic decrease in the number and severity of injuries has been reported. Custom-fitted mouth guards should be used in many sports that do not already have a compulsory rule requiring their use. Physicians, dentists, trainers and coaches need to be educated on the data supporting the benefits described.
Studies on performance enhancement as a result of mandibular orthopaedic repositioning appliances have also been reviewed. Long term studies are required to assess the claims of ergogenic enhancement utilising proper study design. Current evidence exists relating to the effects of psychological phenomena on athletic performance, and it is believed the placebo effect contributes to the findings of performance improvement.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ash M. Mouth protectors and opening the bite. Symposium — the relationship of intra oral protective devices to athletic injuries and athletic performance, University of Michigan, p. 31–41, 1982
Barankovich GS. Mouth protectors for an endentulous patient. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 34: 588–590, 1975
Burkett LN, Bernstein AK. Strength testing after jaw repositioning with a mandibular orthopedic appliance. Physician and Sportsmedicine 10 (2): 101–107, 1982
Burfoot A. A miracle device that can improve your running. Runners World 16(9): 50–54, 1981
Castaldi CR. Mouth guards in contact sports. Journal of Connecticut State Dental Association 48: 223–241, 1974
Cathcart JF. Mouth protectors for contact sports. Dental Digest 57: 348–350, 1952
Chapman PJ. Orofacial injuries and mouthguards: a study of the 1984 Wallabies. British Journal of Sports Medicine 19(2): 93–95, 1985
Committee on Dental Health, U.S. Olympic Committee. Mouth guard policies of the USOC, Colorado Springs, Sep, 1984
Craig PG, O’Brien WJ, Powers JM. Dental materials: properties and manipulation, 2nd ed., p. 266, C.V. Mosbey Co., St Louis, 1979
Davies RM, Bradley D, Hale RW, Laird WRE, Thomas PO. The prevalence of dental injuries in rugby players, and their attitude to mouth guards. British Journal of Sports Medicine 11: 72–74, 1977
Davis FO, Defreece AB, Schoff PF. Custom made guards for tooth protection during endoscopy and orotracheal intubation. Anaesthesia and Analgesia 50: 203, 1971
Dennis CG, Parker DAS. Mouth guards in Australian sport. Australian Dental Journal 17: 228–235, 1972
Dukes HH. Latex football mouth guards. Journal of the American Dental Association 49: 445–448, 1954
Editorial. Fitted mouth guards afford key protection. Journal of the American Dental Association 64: 531, 1972
Eversaul GA. Applied kinesethesiology and the treatment of tempero-mandibular joint dysfunction. In Gelb (Ed.) Chemical management of head, neck, and temperomandibular joint pain and dysfunction, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1977
Gelb H. A two year clinical evaluation of 200 cases of chronic headache, the craneo-cervical-mandibular syndrome. Journal of the American Dental Association 91: 1230–1231, 1975
Gelb H. Clinical management of head, neck and temperoman-dibular joint pain and dysfunction, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1977
Godwin WC. A simplified mouth protector technique Part II. Michigan Dental Association Journal 44: 227–234, 1962
Going RE, Loehman RE, Chan MS. Mouth guard materials — their physical and mechanical properties. Journal of the American Dental Association 89: 132–138, 1974
Greenberg MS, Cohen SG, Springer P, Kotwick JE, Vegso JJ. Mandibular position and upper body strength, a controlled clinical trial. Journal of the American Dental Association 103: 576–579, 1981
Hayward JR, Jarman R. Temporary intraoperative covers for orthodontic appliances. Journal of Oral Surgery 38: 304, 1980
Heintz WD. The case for mandatory mouth protectors. Physician and Sportsmedicine 3: 61–63, 1975
Heintz WD. Symposium. The relationship of intra oral protective devices to athletic injuries and athletic performance, p. 10, Jun 25, 26, 1982
Hickey JC. The relation of mouth protectors to cranial pressure and deformation. Journal of the American Dental Association 74(3): 735–740, 1967
Jakush J. Emphasis — dental therapy and athletic performance. Journal of the American Dental Association 104: 293–298, 1982
Joint Committee on Mouth Protectors of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation and the American Dental Association Report, Chicago, 1960
Joint Committee on Mouth Protectors of the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and the American Dental Association Report, Chicago, 1962
Kaufman R. Case report of TMJ repositioning to improve scoliosis and the performance of athletes. N.Y. State Dental Journal 48: 206–209, 1980
Kerr L. Dental problems in athletes. Clinics in Sports Medicine, Vol. 2(1), pp. 115–122, W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1983
Laskin DM. Putting the bite on the public (editorial). Journal of the American Association. Oral and Maxollofacial Surgery 40: 400, 1982
Laskin DM, Greene GS. Splint therapy for the myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD) syndrome in a comparative study. Journal of the American Dental Association 84: 624–628, 1972
National Electronic Surveillance Systems Estimates Reports, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/ Directorate for Epidemiology, National Injury Clearing House Estimates Reports. May, 1984
McArdle WD, Goldstein LB, Last FC, Spena R, Lechtman S, et al. Temperomandibular joint repositioning and exercise performance: a double blind study. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 16 (3): 228–233, 1984
Mouth protectors and sports team dentists. Association Reports. Journal of the American Dental Association Vol. 109, pp. 84–86, July 1 1984
Nicholas NK. Mouth protectors in contact sports. New Zealand Dental Journal 64: 14–24, 1969
Parker MW, Pelleu Jr GB, Blank LW, Breton RW. Muscle strength related to the use of interocclusal splints. Journal of General Dentistry Mar–Apr: 105–109, 1984
Powers JM. Symposium, The relationship of intra oral protective devices to athletic injuries and athletes performance, p. 26, University of Michigan, Jun 25–26, 1982
Powers JM. Symposium, The relationship of intra oral protective devices to athletic injuries and athletic performance, pp. 21–27, University of Michigan, Jun 25–26, 1982
Puchella RG. Symposium, The relationship of intra oral protective devices to athletic injuries and athletic performance, University of Michigan, Jun 25, 26, 1982
Rontal E, Rontal M, Wilson K, Cram B. Facial injuries on hockey players. Laryngoscope 87 (6): 884–895, 1977
Schwartz R, Novich MM. The athlete’s mouthpiece. American Journal of Sports Medicine 8 (5): 357–359, 1980
Seals RR, Dorrough BC. Custom mouth protectors: a review of their applications. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 51 (21): 238–241, 1984
Smith SD. Muscular strength correlated to jaw posture and the temporomandibular joint. N.Y. State Dental Journal 44: 279–282, 1978
Stenger JM. Physiologic dentistry with Notre Dame athletes. Basal Facts 2: 8, 1977
Stenger JM, Lawson EA, Wright JM, Recketts J. Mouthguards: protection against shock to the head, neck and teeth. Journal of the American Dental Association 69: 272–281, 1964
Stevens OO. Prevention of traumatic and dental injuries. In Andreason (Ed.) Traumatic injuries to the teeth, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1981
Thompson BD. Protection of the head and face. Dental Clinics of North America 26 (3): 659–667, 1982
Turner CH. Mouth protectors. British Dental Journal 143: Aug, 1977
Upson N. Mouthguards, an evaluation of 2 types for rugby players. British Journal of Sports Medicine 19(2): 89–92, 1985
Verban EM, Groppel JL, Pfautsch MS, Ramsmeyer GC. The effects of a mandibular orthopedic rspositioning appliance on shoulder strength. Journal of Craniomandibula Practice 2 (3): 232–237, 1984
Verscoth A. Weak? Sink your teeth into this. Sports Illustrated, Jun 2: 36–42, 1980
Weiner BS. Symposium, The relationship of intra oral protective devices to athletic injuries and athletic performance, pp. 75–97, University of Michigan, Jun 25–26, 1982
Williams MO, Chaconas SJ, Bader P. The effect of mandibular position of appendage muscle strength. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 49 (4): 560–567, 1983
Van Handel PJ, Hagerman GH, Elkins WC, Swanson A, Pulley ML, et al. Acute effect of a mandibular repositioning splint upon isokinetic peak torque. Report to American College of Medicine Annual Meeting, Colorado Springs, 1982
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kerr, I.L. Mouth Guards for the Prevention of Injuries in Contact Sports. Sports Medicine 3, 415–427 (1986). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-198603060-00003
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-198603060-00003