ALMEIDA JUNIOR, Paulo; SOUZA, Viviane Arruda Nogueira de; GALVAO, Patrícia Maria Ximenes    CARVALHO, Ricardo Wathson Feitosa de. Knowledge and usage of the mouth guard among martial arts practitioners. Rev. cir. traumatol. buco-maxilo-fac. []. 2013, 13, 3, pp. 55-62. ISSN 1808-5210.

Introduction: Practitioners of martial arts are one of the most at-risk groups in terms of dental trauma. The aim of this study is to reveal the knowledge and usage of a mouth guard by martial arts practitioners in Brazil in order to draft prevention strategies. Methodology: A qualitative-quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out with of a sample of martial arts practitioners in the city of Maceió, Brazil. A total of 110 athletes answered questions concerning their knowledge and usage of a mouth guard. Results: The practitioners of martial arts are young adults with a good perception of the importance of using a mouth guard, but with a low rate of use. Despite practicing a sport with intense contact, the majority reported having suffered no physical injuries. Among the athletes that use mouth guards, prevention is the main reason for using a mouth guard, but most only demonstrated good acceptance during training. Conclusions: Practitioners of martial arts perceive the importance of mouth guards, but the use of such devices is divulged little. Emphasis should be placed on educational campaigns that encourage athletes to use protective equipment early on in their training to get accustomed to it and automatically consider it a part of the sport.

: Protective devices; Mouth; Athletic injuries..