The Incidence of Dental Trauma in Adolescent Athletes

Author : Mihaela Laura Crisan

Co-author : Marcel Silaghi, Timea Orban , Abo Salok Khaled, Cristina Bica, PHD Coordinator : Lecturer Cristina Bica, PHD

Introduction Sports activities offer a variety of

health benefits to youngsters. However, participating in such activities also places the athletes at risk of dental or orofacial trauma.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to

investigate the incidence and causes of dental injuries in adolescent athletes and their knowledge regarding the use of mouthguard.

The Importance of using mouthguard

Materials and methodsWe made 70 questionnaires each

comprising 10 questions addressed to the young athletes in the 9th grade at the Sports High School "Szasz Adalbert" of Târgu Mureș. Data were collected by individual interview with each child.

Questionnaire used during player interviewsHow old are you?What sport do you practice and since when?How many training sessions do you go to a week?Have you had orthodontic treatment?Do you know about mouthguards, do you wear a

mouthguard?Have you ever suffered a dental injury?

Questionnaire used during player interviewsHave you ever suffered a dental injury?If yes, what kind of dental injury (hard tissue or soft

tissue)?If yes how old were you and when did it happend

(during training, game or other)?If yes when did you attend a dentist for the trauma?

(immediately, after 1 h/1 day/1 week, none)?If yes what kind of treatment procedure has been

completed?

ResultsThe average age was 16

years old.

The average training sessions is 3 times a week

Age 1

4

Age 1

5

Age 1

6

Age 1

7

Age 1

8

05

10152025303540

1

16

37

15

1

Series 1

Series 1

25

22

8

7

42

1

1

Distribution of sport practiced among the athletes

Football

Handball

Gymnastics

Basketball

Athletics

Box

Hockey

Bodybuilding

5

52

9

11

72

13

5

8

1

1 1

Since when do they practice sports 1 Year2 Years3 Years4 Years5 Years6 Years7 Years8 Years9 Years10 Years11 Years12 Years13 Years

From a total of 70 athletes only 3 of them ( 4% ) has had orthodontic treatment.

44%

55%

1%

The knowledge regarding mouthguard

Do know what mouthguard isDo not know what mouthguard isUses mouthguard

The Importance of using mouthguard

49%

51%

33%

18%

Dental TraumasDid not suffer any dental trauma

Did suffer dental trauma

Had dental trauma

Had a soft tissue trauma

Dental and soft tissue trauma

Immediately After 1 day After 2 days After 1 week0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

22%

50%

6%

22%

How soon after the dental trauma did the athletes went to a dentist.

Discussion Contact sports may lead to orofacial and

dental trauma, which often can be reduced with appropriate preventive measures However, not all contact sports have classically recommended the use of mouthguards.

Discussion

Discussion Comparing our data with another study made

in Turkey on 212 handball players it reaviled that the incidence of dental injuries are similar ( 50%).

In addition, 84 % from the handball players did not know about mouthguards and how they may prevent trauma, in comparison to our results where the percentage is lower

55 %.

Conclusions The study results showed that young athletes

need more knowledge and education on the prevention of dental trauma to be offered by their coaches and by dentists.

The importance of an appropriate facial protection in contact sports should be supported and encouraged both by sports coaches and parents.

ReferencesAndreasen JO. Etiology and pathogenesis of traumatic

dental injuries. A clinical study of 1,298 cases. Scand J Dent Res. 1970.

Beachy G. Dental injuries in intermediate and high school athletes: a 15-year study at Punahou School. J Athl Train. 2004

Caglar E, Kargul B, Tanboga I. Dental trauma and mouthguard usage among ice hockey players in Turkey premier league. DentTraumatol. 2005

Ferrari CH, Ferreria de Mederios JM. Dental trauma and level of information: mouthguard use in different contact sports. Dent Traumatol. 2002