Mouthguards gain in favour

Press, 2 July 1979, Page 18

Mouthguards gain in favour

Wellington reporter Mouthguards are gaining in popularity with rugby players as a measure for preventing accidents. Several projects to promote their use have been conducted in both the North Island and the South Island. All these projects recorded a drop in the number of rugby accidents involving Broken teeth after mouthguards had been fitted.

Results of a survey made by the Otago branch of the Dental Association involving 272 post-primary pupils showed that 31 players had suffered injury in 1978. Mouthguards had been worn by 20 of these players when the injury occurred and 75 per cent suffered soft-tissue injury only. One player with a complete tooth fracture belonged to the group of 11 not wearing a mouthguard. Boys who wore mouthguards occasionally or not at all were asked why they did not persevere with their use. Of these, 50 per cent found them uncomfortable and 20 per cent found the bulk made them feel sick. Others said they could not breathe or the mouthguard dried out the mouth and affected speech. A lecturer at the Uni-

versify of Otago Dental School, Mr J. Morton, who organised the survey, said the mouthguards required perseverance. Perhaps this had not been emphasised sufficiently. Of the 221 players finally tested, 184 said they intended to wear a mouthguard during this rugby season.