Design, Use, and Contemporary Technological Approaches of Mouthguards in Pediatric Athletes

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 114 - 118, 29.08.2025

Ceren Kaplan , Gizem Yoğurucu Değerli

https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1669508

Abstract

Orofacial trauma is a common concern among child athletes, particularly those participating in contact and high-impact sports. Due to their developing dentofacial structures, children are more vulnerable to injuries. Mouthguards are intraoral devices designed to absorb and disperse impact forces, playing a critical role in injury prevention. This review outlines the classification of mouthguards, fabrication techniques, and the process of personalized design. It also examines usage trends in children and highlights how awareness among parents and coaches influences adherence. Recent advancements in digital dentistry—especially CAD/CAM systems and 3D printing technologies—have enabled the production of custom-made mouthguards that provide superior fit, comfort, and protection. Studies suggest that individualized mouthguards improve compliance among young athletes and significantly reduce the risk of orofacial trauma. Therefore, technological innovations, combined with increased stakeholder awareness, are believed to enhance the adoption and clinical success of effective protective mouthguards in pediatric sports dentistry.

Keywords

mouthguard , pediatric athletes , CAD/CAM , 3D printing , dental trauma

Ethical Statement

This manuscript is a literature review and does not involve any human participants, animal experiments, or clinical procedures. Therefore, ethical approval and informed consent were not required for this study. All sources cited have been appropriately referenced, and care has been taken to ensure academic integrity throughout the preparation of this work.

Çocuk Sporcularda Ağız Koruyucularının Tasarımı, Kullanımı ve Güncel Teknolojik Yaklaşımlar

Abstract

Spor yapan çocuklarda, özellikle temas ve darbe içeren spor dallarında orofasiyal travmalar yaygın olarak görülen bir sorundur. Gelişim sürecindeki dentofasiyal yapıları nedeniyle çocuklar bu tür travmalara karşı daha hassastır. Ağız koruyucular, darbeleri emip yayarak bu yaralanmaların önlenmesinde kritik rol oynayan intraoral apareylerdir. Bu derlemede ağız koruyucuların sınıflandırılması, üretim teknikleri ve kişiselleştirilmiş tasarım süreçleri ele alınmaktadır. Ayrıca çocuklarda kullanım eğilimleri ile ebeveyn ve antrenör farkındalığının uyumu nasıl etkilediği incelenmiştir. Son yıllarda dijital diş hekimliğindeki gelişmeler — özellikle CAD/CAM sistemleri ve 3B yazıcı teknolojileri — sayesinde, daha iyi uyum, konfor ve koruma sağlayan kişiye özel ağız koruyucuları üretilebilmektedir. Araştırmalar, bu bireyselleştirilmiş koruyucuların düzenli kullanımı artırdığını ve orofasiyal travma riskini önemli ölçüde azalttığını göstermektedir. Bu nedenle, teknolojik yeniliklerin artan farkındalık ile birlikte değerlendirilmesi, çocuk sporcular için etkili ağız koruyucularının benimsenmesini ve klinik başarıya entegrasyonunu desteklemektedir.

Keywords

Ağız Koruyucular , Çocuk sporcular , CAD/CAM , Dental travma , 3B yazıcı

References

• 1. Glendor U. Aetiology and risk factors related to traumatic dental injuries. Dent Traumatol. 2009;25(1):19–31.
• 2. Petti S, Glendor U, Andersson L. World traumatic dental injury prevalence and incidence: A meta-analysis. Dent Traumatol. 2018;34(2):71–86.
• 3. Acosta-Figueroa EA, Sánchez-Alfaro LA. Perceptions of the mouthguard in basketball, rugby, and soccer players: A qualitative study at a public university in Colombia. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024;16:166.
• 4. Knapik JJ, Marshall SW, Lee RB, Darakjy SS, Jones SB, Mitchener TA, et al. Mouthguards in sport activities: history, physical properties and injury prevention effectiveness. Sports Med. 2007;37(2):117–144.
• 5. Ferrari CH, Medeiros JM. Dental trauma and level of information: Mouthguard use in different contact sports. Dent Traumatol. 2002;18(3):144–147.
• 6. Maeda Y, Kumamoto D, Yagi K, Ikebe K. Effectiveness and fabrication of mouthguards. Dent Traumatol. 2009;25(6):556–564.
• 7. Deogade SC, Dube G, Sumathi K, Dube P, Katare U, Katare D. Sports dentistry and mouthguards. Br J Med Med Res. 2016;11(6):1–10.
• 8. American Dental Association. Specification No. 99 on Mouth Protectors. ADA; 2013.
• 9. FDI World Dental Federation. FDI policy statement on sports mouthguards. Geneva: FDI; 2021.
• 10. Grewal N, Kumari F, Tiwari U. Comparative evaluation of shock absorption ability of custom-fit mouthguards with new-generation polyolefin self-adapting mouthguards. Dent Traumatol. 2015;31(4):294–301.
• 11. Wang K, Liu Y, Zhao Z, Zhou S, Zhang M. Mouthguard types, properties and influence on performance in sport activities: a narrative review. Front Med. 2025;12:1527621.
• 12. Nasrollahzadeh N, Pioletti DP, Broome M. Design of customized mouthguards with superior protection using digital-based technologies and impact tests. Sports Med Open. 2024;10:64.
• 13. Roberts HW. Sports mouthguard overview: materials, fabrication techniques, existing standards, and future research needs. Dent Traumatol. 2023;39:101–108.
• 14. Westerman B, Stringfellow PM, Eccleston JA. EVA mouthguard performance in relation to thickness and type. Aust Dent J. 2002;47(3):186–190.
• 15. Duarte-Pereira DM, Del Rey-Santamaria M, Javierre-Garcés C, et al. Wearability and physiological effects of custom-fitted versus self-adapted mouthguards. Dent Traumatol. 2008;24(4):439–442.
• 16. Newsome PRH, Tran DC, Cooke MS. The role of the mouthguard in prevention of sports-related dental injuries: A review. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2001;11(6):396–404.
• 17. Yanagi T, Kakura K, Tsuzuki T, Isshi K, Taniguchi Y, et al. Fabrication of mouthguard using digital technology. Dentistry. 2019;9:531.
• 18. Trzaskowski M, Mańka-Malara K, Szczesio-Włodarczyk A, et al. Evaluation of mechanical properties of 3D-printed polymeric materials for possible application in mouthguards. Polymers. 2023;15(4):898.
• 19. Kausadikar P, Kadam S, Ramaswami E, et al. Prevention of sports-related orofacial injuries: a review on dental perspective. Int J Ethics Trauma Victimol. 2020;6(2):31–34.
• 20. Trentacosta N. Pediatric Sports Injuries. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2020 Feb;67(1):205-225.
• 21. Green JI. The role of mouthguards in preventing and reducing sports-related trauma. Prim Dent J. 2017;6(2):27–34.
• 22. ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations. Using mouthguards to reduce the incidence and severity of sports-related oral injuries. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006;137(12):1712–1720.
• 23. Pawar P, Suryawanshi M, Patil A, et al. Importance of mouthguards in sports: a review. J Evol Med Dent Sci. 2013;2:8903–8908.
• 24. Tokas A, Sood S, Bhatia HP, Sharma N, Singh A. Sports-related orofacial injuries in children: awareness and experience among sports coaches in Delhi region of India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2022;15(4):450–454.
• 25. Pezzoli M, et al. 3D printed mouthguards: a paradigm shift in sports dentistry. Dent Traumatol. 2022;38(2):174–181.
• 26. Bemelmanns P, Pfeiffer P. Shock absorption capacities of mouthguards in different types and thicknesses. Int J Sports Med. 2001;22(2):149–153.
• 27. Özkal Eminoğlu D, Kaşali K, Gençoğlu C, et al. Mouthguard use, hygiene, and maintenance practices among combat and team sports athletes: a comparative study. PLoS One. 2025;20(1):e0317952.
• 28. Labella CR, Smith BW, Sigurdsson A. Effect of mouthguards on dental injuries and concussions in college basketball. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;34(1):41–44.
• 29. Gregoric S, Vranic ND, Bakarcic D, Jokić N. Parental knowledge and attitudes toward dental trauma and prevention in handball and basketball athletes in Rijeka, Croatia. Madridge J Dent Oral Surg. 2016;1(1):1–3.
• 30. Kalra A, Harrington C, Minhas G, et al. Wearability and preference of mouthguard during sport in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances: a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Orthod. 2022;44(1):101–109.
• 31. Spinas, E.; Savasta, A. Prevention of traumatic dental lesions: cognitive research on the role of mouthguards during sport activities in paediatric age. European journal of paediatric dentistry, 2007, 8.4: 193.
• 32. Sarao SK, Levin L. Mouthguard design, pediatric trauma, and reporting guidelines. Dent Traumatol. 2023;39:187–190.
• 33. Vignesh TS, Chinni S, Anumula L, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mouth guards in the prevention of orofacial injuries in sports persons: a cross-sectional study. J Interdiscip Dent. 2023;13:84.
• 34. Pribble J, Maio R, Freed G. Parental perceptions regarding mandatory mouthguard use in competitive youth soccer. Inj Prev. 2004;10(3):159–162.
• 35. Mojarad F, Farhadian M, Torkaman S. The prevalence of sports-related dental injuries and the rate of awareness of mouthguard use among child athletes. J Pediatr Res. 2020;7(4):358–364.
• 36. Unkovskiy A, Huettig F, Kraemer-Fernandez P, Spintzyk S. Multi-material 3D printing of a customized sports mouthguard: proof-of-concept clinical case. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(23):12762.
• 37. Allende ALB. Futuristic dentistry: towards medical–dental integration and minimalistic approaches. In: Innovations in Healthcare and Outcome Measurement. Cham: Springer; 2025:105–124.
• 38. De Queiroz TS, da Cruz BS, Demachkia AMM, et al. Ergonomic sports mouthguards: a narrative literature review and future perspectives. Appl Sci. 2023;13(20):11353.
• 39. Duymus Z, Güngör H. Use of mouthguard rates among university athletes during sport activities in Erzurum, Turkey. Dent Traumatol. 2009;25(3):318–322.
• 40. Jalleh G, Donovan RJ, Clarkson J, et al. Increasing mouthguards usage among junior rugby and basketball players. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2001;25(5):529–532.