Concerns regarding sports mouthguard compliance in contact sports

Some may counter that “over-the-counter” (OTC) guards have “dental coverage” if injuries were sustained while wearing their brand of Mouthguards - offering insurance coverage up to $32,000! But the fine print clarifies that coverage is only up to $1,000 per tooth. It is extremely unlikely anyone would ever break all 32 teeth in a sporting accident. This is what is called “marketing”, not protection.

Concern 3: Lack of Research

In my opinion, a major challenge in North America is access to research funding and the time it takes to create research studies to support Mouthguard use. The “Sports Dentist” aspect of dental practices is an extremely small component. Few general or even specialty dentists have access to research facilities. A greater challenge is to design a proper prospective, randomly-controlled scientific study whose purpose is to inflict blows that may or may not result in any dental or head injury (concussion) dependent on having a mouthguard in their mouth! The best current Team Dentists, leagues, and organizations such as the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) have is retrospective, historical data and while we can (and do) collect as much data as possible from teams willing to participate in such studies, pundits may argue the situations are much different from one team to another and from one game to another. All qualified “Team Dentists” will emphatically argue based on what they see at all sports games & practices. Injuries do – and always will occur!

Concern 4: Mouthguards affecting ‘performance’

Another growing concern is using the term “performance” when addressing any oral appliance or mouthguard. Performance is a subjectiveterm, based on what each individual league or team (not science!) considers “cheating” or gaining an advantage. It is just “semantics", and what any veteran Team Dentist would not want associated with any appliance inserted in an athlete/patient’s mouth. Some oral appliances have been shown to improve balance and thus improve speed, agility and explosiveness - all things an athlete wants. All athletes are looking for an edge. If new and ongoing research can show that “bite-correcting oral appliances” or “Therapeutic Oral Appliances” supports true scientific claims, this is what will get athletes excited about their use – and we, as Team Dentists will be excited for them, both to reach their full potential as athletes, but also to help reduce the need for us to provide emergency treatments for severe lifelong injuries that may NOT put them back together again. Any scientific studies along these lines to increase the (mandated) use of Mouthguards can only help Team Dentists and indeed all members of the health care profession to promote and stress the use of custom, dentist-made Sports Mouthguards.

Concern 5: Awareness

For centuries, history (and common sense) has said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” This is absolute gospel when it comes to dental injuries. Every Team Dentist has had to restructure their day because an athlete has smashed their lips and/or teeth in a practice or game. Every case is a lifelong injury that affects everyone – the athlete, their families and the Team Dentist. It is the way every Team Dentist helps our teams - and helps our athletes get back to the sport they love. It is only possible through education of everyone -

• parents,
• elementary & high school boards & teachers,
• all coaches & leagues,

and especially

• all athletes, amateur and professional.

Discussions and education can help all these people see the benefit of preventing dental injuries by mandating and enforcing the wearing of custom Dentist-made Sports Mouthguards. This can help avoid those lifelong – and costly – injuries. The reality is that Team Dentists can speak to parents, athletes, business groups, referees, to support our cause because we know the pain and suffering, the time spent by us and lost by patients / athletes that sustain preventable dental injuries. We also know the huge sums of money that go into repairing and replacing something that is priceless. It is every Team Dentist’s hope that through dentistry, better athletic health can assist every athlete hoist that championship trophy without pain – but always with a huge and wonderful SMILE!

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