Knowledge and attitudes of Arizona high-school coaches regarding oral-facial injuries and mouthguard use among athletes

High school coaches may be unsupportive of the use of mouthguards to prevent oral-facial injuries by athletes participating in 'non-contact' sports. Mouthguards protect the teeth, jaw, and oral tissue from traumatic injuries. Researchers surveyed 508 coaches of basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer, softball, and wrestling, and found that 72% reported oral-facial injuries in their athletes. Only 28% reported that one of their athletes used a mouthguard, and 31% said they would not recommend mouthguard usage.