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Recently, wearing a mouthguard (MG) has become mandatory in contact sports. A properly fitted MG protects against sports injuries to the stomatognathic system, and stabilized the occlusal position, which might leads to improved sports performance. The present study uses a questionnaire to determine the amount of dental knowledge and motivation to wear a MG among dental college students. The current situation regarding MG use, discomfort, and experience of oral trauma and concussion was evaluated in 175 rugby football players, 63 American football players, 62 skiers, 55 karate, 27 Shorinji kempo and 32 Nippon kempo athletes who participate d in the Annual Athletic Meet for All Japanese Dental Students (414 participants). The results of the questionnaire about MG use indicated that almost all players experienced discomfort. Dental trauma was experienced in 90% and 43% of rugby football payers and karate athletes, respectively. The rates were lowest among American football players, Shorinji kempo athletes and skiers, being 5.8%, 7.4%, 12.9%, respectively. Concussion was experienced by > 36% of rugby football players and 25% of Nippon kempo athletes. Nippon kempo athletes may use a MG to protect against concussion. In conclusion, rules requiring players to wear a MG should be enforced or rules should be changed to make wearing a MG compulsory, awareness of dental students should be improved, injury should be prevented by wearing a MG and not only organizations but individual players should be educated about the necessity of wearing a MG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]