Self-reported Experiences of Taekwondo Athletes with Mouthguards
Articles > Article · 2025
Authors: Emel Ouzon, Ece EDEN, Gülcan COŞKUN AKAR, Dikerler İpek, Hatice Mükellef, SELİN YILMAZ, İREM DUMAN
Meandros Medical And Dental Journal, Refereed Journals of Other Institutions, International, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), 2025, vol 26, pp 303-308
DOI: 10.69601/meandrosmdj.1647755
Summary
Objectives: Taekwondo is a close contact sport, where the activity is intense, and mouthguards are mandatory. The aim of the study was to evaluate the experiences of the Taekwondo athletes on custom-made 4.0mm-thickness mouthguards verses other types retrospectively. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 26 athletes (74.29%) with permanent dentition from the Metropolitan Municipality Taekwondo Sports School who used two different types of mouthguards for at least three-months for each: a mouthguard with a thickness of 4.0 mm and another type. Their experiences on mouthguards and dental trauma were evaluated by a questionnaire. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Appropriateness of mouthguards were evaluated from photographs. Results: The athletes were practicing taekwondo for an average of 9.5±2.47 years and were using a mouthguard for 4.6±3.12 years. Findings revealed that 80.8% of the athletes did not use mouthguard during training. 46.2% experienced an injury where 34.6% also experienced dental injuries. 61.5% of the athletes claimed that the 4 mm thick mouthguard made them feel safer (p=0.009) and 53.8% reported a beneficial effect on their performance (p=0.09). 53.8% reported preference for 4mm-thickness mouthguard (p=0.09). 4mm-thickness custom-made mouthguards were highly accepted by the taekwondo players and should be encouraged for use in both trainings and matches. Conclusions: It is vital that not only the trainers but also dentists and pediatric dentists promote the use of mouthguards for athletes and ensure that follow-ups are carried out for regular and comfortable use.