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`Injury prevention versus performance`: has the time come to mandate the use of mouthguards in all contact sports?

Mouthguard use continues to be a hotly debated issue in the domain of contact sports. Regulations from sports governing bodies on wearing mouthguards and attitudes towards their use from athletes vary significantly across `at-risk sports`. We explore how recent advances in sports dentistry have led to the widespread availability of new customisable mouthguards and whether their use may impact athletic performance, reduce orofacial trauma or sport related concussion. We also discuss whether `no mouthguard, no play` policies designed to mandate their use may help to promote a culture of safe participation in contact sport.
© Copyright 2021 BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. BMJ. All rights reserved.

Bibliographic Details
Subjects:
Notations:biological and medical sciences combat sports
Published in:BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
Language:English
Published: 2021
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000828
Volume:7
Pages:e000828
Document types:article
Level:advanced