[Survey on oral and maxillofacial injuries in contact sports and diffusion of mouthguards].
Recent reports have shown an increase of oral and maxillofacial injuries caused by sports activities. In European and American countries, mouthguards are the popular measure against these injuries. The purpose of this study was to survey the rate of incidence of oral and maxillofacial injuries caused by contact sports, the diffusion and the evaluation of mouthguards and the interest in mouthguards in Japan. Questionnaires were sent to 244 Rugby football teams in Aichi prefecture and 27 American football teams in the Tokai area. We received replies from 153 Rugby football teams and 17 American football teams, and the results were as follows: 1) The rate of incidence of oral and maxillofacial injuries was 239 players out of 4721 players, which means 5.1% in Rugby football and 22 players out of 428 players, which means 5.1% in American football. 2) The diffusion of mouthguards was 20 out of 153 teams in Rugby football and 16 out of 17 teams in American football. And most of them are using commercially available mouthguards. 3) Almost all teams were not satisfied with their mouthguards and complained of speaking difficulties, discomfort and easy dislocation. 4) Almost all teams desire the improvement of mouthguards. 5) Teams with no experience of mouthguards were very much interested in the use of mouthguards but they do not have enough information about mouthguards. 6) We have to enlighten players and their instructors about mouthguards and diffuse the use of mouthguards more positively to contact sports players.