Mouth Guard and Oral Injury Fact Sheet

• Since approximately one-third of all dental injuries are sports related, the North Carolina Dental Society, American Dental Association, American Association of Endodontists, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Academy of Sports Dentistry strongly recommend the use of mouth guards by all athletes, male and female.
  

• The American Dental Association estimates that mouth guards prevent about 20,000 oral injuries per year.
  

• Most sports-related oral injuries have long-term consequences that can affect speech, nutrition, self-confidence and appearance. Such injuries can be prevented by mouth guards.
  

• Mouth guards can prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to the lips, teeth, cheeks and tongue. They should be used in all practice and game situations.
  

• Evidence indicates that mouth guards may offer additional protection against concussions, jaw fractures and other jaw injuries.
  

• Athletes are not only at risk in full-contact sports, such as football and hockey.  The list includes soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling and volleyball.
  

• Recent studies show that soccer players have the highest potential for an orofacial injury. Basketball players have a potential twice that of football players.
  

• Athletes are at risk from head-to-head contacts, falling during competition, contact from elbows, hands, arms and flying equipment.
  

• Properly fitted mouth guards will not interfere with normal talking and breathing.
  

• Athletes wearing orthodontic appliances can obtain specially fitted mouth guards from their orthodontist. There are also over-the-counter mouth guards available.