Citation

Zamora-Olave C, Willaert E, Parera L, Riera-Puñet N, Martinez-Gomis J. Dent. Traumatol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Oral Health and Masticatory System Group, (Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute) IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/edt.12531

PMID

31765062

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Orofacial injuries are a serious problem in field hockey. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of orofacial injuries in field hockey players in Catalonia, the frequency of mouthguard use, the types of mouthguards used and the degree of interference with oral function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 325 field hockey players (28% women) from all age categories completed a questionnaire about orofacial injuries occurring during their sporting lives, including dental injuries, oral lacerations and episodes of acute temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. The questionnaire also asked about the experience of using a mouthguard, the type of mouthguard used and any adverse effects of use. The degree of interference with oral function was compared by type of mouthguard (mouth-formed, custom-made and prefabricated mouthguards) using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS: Half of the players (50.2%) reported at least one orofacial injury during their sporting lives. The mean number of oral lacerations, TMD pain episodes and dental injuries were 1.59, 0.24 and 0.18, respectively. In total, 310 players (95.7%) had tried a mouthguard, and of these 269 (86.8%) and 283 (91.3%) still used a mouthguard habitually during training and competition, respectively. Only 11 players (3.5%) had tried all three types of mouthguards, and 71 players (22.9%) had tried two types of mouthguard. By type, 217 players (70.0%) had tried mouth-formed (boil-and-bite) mouthguards, 156 (50.3%) had tried custom-made mouthguards and 30 (9.7%) had tried prefabricated mouthguards. Custom-made mouthguards were rated as more comfortable than the mouth-formed type (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of orofacial injuries among field hockey players is relatively high. Most players habitually use a mouthguard during training and competition, typically preferring custom-made or a mouth-formed types. Custom-made mouthguards were considered the most comfortable.

© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Mouthguards; contact sports; dental trauma