Evaluation of Turkish Athletes\\\' Awareness Regarding the Use of Mouthguards

Authors : Serdar Bağlar, Merve Aydemir Kurdal, Esra Korkmaz Torun

Pages : 128-132

Doi:10.17567/currresdentsci.1677663

View : 45 | Download : 121

Publication Date : 2025-04-20

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: To examine the awareness of Turkish athletes about mouthguard use and to make mouthguard use routine. Methods: This cross-sectional study is aimed to determine the knowledge about the advantage of mouthguard use of athletes. Participants over the age of 18 who answered all questions were included in this study. Those who refused to participate in the survey were excluded. A face-to-face survey including 10 questions was made. The questionnaire were given on a day and collected the next day. Results: There was a significant difference between protection awareness and use of Mouthguard (P<.05). 218 (90.1%) athletes were aware of mouth guards, but only 57 (26.1%) were using them. In addition, out of 141 (58.2%) athletes who saw athletes with mouth injuries, only 48 (34%) were using mouthguards. Though 120 (49.5%) athletes received training on sports injuries, 76 (63%) participants still do not use mouthguards. They do not use mouthguards due to harmfulness on concentration and performance, difficulty in breathing, lack of education, economic difficulties, nausea. Among them, the most stated reason is that their performance and concentration will decrease with 44%. 72% of the participants think that contact and fight sports should use mouthguards at the highest rate compared to other branches. Conclusion: This study showed that although Turkish athletes agree on the benefits of mouth guards, their education about mouthguards is limited. Education and awareness mouthguards usage in athletes in Turkey should be encouraged.
Keywords : Awareness, mouthguard, sports dentistry