Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Background: Traumatic dental injuries are common among athletes. Mouthguards help prevent such injuries, with effectiveness depending on proper fit and material. Digital technologies facilitate the production of personalized mouthguards, while proper hygiene helps maintain their protective function. Aim. To review current evidence on mouthguards in preventing sports-related dental injuries, focusing on types, materials, manufacturing methods, protective effectiveness, athletic performance, and hygiene. Material and methods. A literature review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2026 was conducted using PubMed and Quality in Sport. Results. Dental injuries are common in contact and combat sports, with maxillary central incisors most frequently affected. Custom-made mouthguards reduce injury risk, and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) remains the most widely used material. Proper cleaning and maintenance help reduce microbial contamination and biofilm formation. Conclusions. Mouthguards are important for preventing sports-related dental injuries, particularly in contact and high-risk sports. Custom-made devices provide protection and comfort without apparent adverse effects on athletic performance. EVA remains the principal material used. Regular hygiene and maintenance help preserve mouthguard functionality. Further research is needed to standardize cleaning protocols, optimize materials for digitally manufactured mouthguards, and assess long-term clinical and protective effectiveness.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Bernaś et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: