How to Improve the Wear Rate of Mouthguards

Although mouthguards are effective and readily available, this form of protective equipment has been underutilized in many sports.

A convenience sample of boys' and girls' basketball and baseball/softball players at 21 high schools in the Greater Columbus, Ohio, metro area completed a self-administered survey that captured their demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding mouthguard use.

The survey included a total of 1636 students (55.9 % male, 43.8 % female, 0.3 % unknown). Only 12.3 % reported using a mouthguard either every time or sometimes during practice or competition. 

The primary reasons reported for not wearing mouthguards were they were not required to (65.3 %) and that the athletes could not breathe or talk while wearing one (61.5 %). These reasons were consistent across sex and sport.

Most athletes reported that their coaches (87.3 %) and parents (64.5 %) had never talked to them wearing a mouthguard.

At PowerPlus, increasing this awareness is at the forefront of our minds. the main difference is our custom-made design DOES allow the athletes to breathe, giving them a distinct advantage. The chance of a concussion whilst participating in sport also reduces to a significant 0.2%.

Getting the word out there that there are mouthguards available for these athletes is critical and a task we are extremely passionate about.