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INFORMATION+STATS

Dental injuries are a common occurrence in sports, especially those that involve contact of flying objects. In fact, studies have shown that sports-related dental injuries account for up to 39% of all dental injuries in the United States.

 Approximately 39 percent of dental injuries in the United States are sports related, and while the National Federation of State High School Associations and National Collegiate Athletic Associated require mouthguards for some sports, all athletes are at risk. This infographic handout can be downloaded and handed out to educate members of your community about dental injury as well as mouthguard care tips.

Many childhood injuries can be prevented. Give your child the right safety gear, teach them how to use it and make sure they wear it every time

Seattle Children's Hospital recommends mouth guards to be worn when playing the following sports: Football, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Basketball, Volleyball, and Wrestling

Participating in athletic and recreational activities, particularly collision, contact or high-velocity sports, can place individuals at increased risk of dental trauma or orofacial injury. 

ADA recommends mouth guards should be used in the following sports: 

 Contact/Collision Sports

 Basketball Lacrosse

 Boxing Martial Arts

 Combat Sports Rugby

 Football
Soccer

 Handball
Water polo

 Hockey (Ice and Field)
Wrestling

 Limited-Contact and Other Sports

 Acrobatics Skateboarding

 Baseball Skiing

 Bicycling Skydiving

 Equestrian Events Softball

 Field Events Squash

 Gymnastics Surfing

 Inline Skating Volleyball

 Racquetball Weightlifting

 Shot-Putting

National Federation of State High School Associations Position Statement and Recommendations For Mouth Guard Use in Sports 

Researchers from multiple institutions assessed the rate of dental injuries among high school athletes and determined athletes’ use of mouthguards at the time of injury. Data were obtained from the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study, which collects information about high school athlete injuries on a weekly basis from certified athletic trainers (AT) at a national sample of US high schools. Data from academic years 2008–2009 through 2013–2014 were included in this study.

Policy on Prevention of Sports Related Orofacial Injuries

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