Departement of Oral Surgery, Oral Radiology and Oral Medicine and Centre of Dental Traumatology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Dent Traumatol. 2012 Aug;28(4):287-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-9657.2011.01083.x. Epub 2011 Nov 23.
Water polo is a sporting activity which has a medium risk of causing dental trauma. Owing to the high speed, close body contact, and the combination of throwing and swimming that is inherent to the sport, the general injury potential is high. Using a standardized questionnaire for a total of 415 water polo players from Switzerland, this study examines the frequency of dental and facial injuries in water polo, athletes' habits regarding the wearing of mouthguards, and the general level of knowledge about emergency procedures following dental trauma. The participating players came from 6 divisions: Swiss national leagues A and B, first and second leagues, as well as the women's, and junior's league. The data were evaluated according to division and gender. Of the 415 interviewees, 185 (44.6%) had witnessed a dental injury in water polo. Eighty-seven (21.0%) players reported having suffered a tooth injury when playing water polo. Tooth fracture was the most stated dental injury [86 (16.4%)]. A similar number of tooth injuries were experienced by both male [355 (21.1%)] and female [60 (20.0%)] players. The interviewees over the age of 50 showed a higher incidence of tooth injuries than younger players (>50 years = 41.7%). Slightly more than half of the interviewed players [228 (54.9%)] were aware of the possibility of replanting avulsed teeth. As few as 43 (10.4%) players were familiar with tooth rescue boxes. Only 32 (7.7%) water polo players wore a mouthguard; the most common reason for not wearing a mouthguard was that it was seen to be unnecessary [169 (40.7%)]. This survey highlights the potential for improvement in the level of knowledge about dental injury prevention in water polo. In addition to information and guidelines from the relevant sports' associations, and coaches, dentists could also play a role in the provision of this education.
水球是一项具有中度致牙外伤风险的运动。由于该运动速度快、身体接触紧密，以及投掷和游泳的结合，总体受伤风险较高。本研究使用标准化问卷对来自瑞士的 415 名水球运动员进行了调查，以了解水球运动中牙和面部损伤的发生频率、运动员使用护齿器的习惯以及对牙外伤急救程序的一般了解程度。参与研究的运动员来自 6 个级别：瑞士国家甲级和乙级联赛、第一和第二联赛、女子联赛和青年联赛。数据根据级别和性别进行评估。在 415 名受访者中，有 185 名（44.6%）曾目睹过水球运动中的牙外伤。87 名（21.0%）运动员报告在玩水球时受过牙伤。牙折裂是最常见的牙外伤[86 例（16.4%）]。男女运动员的牙外伤发生率相似[男性 355 例（21.1%）；女性 60 例（20.0%）]。50 岁以上的受访者牙外伤发生率高于年轻运动员（>50 岁=41.7%）。超过一半的受访者[228 例（54.9%）]知道牙齿脱落可再植的可能性。只有 43 名（10.4%）受访者熟悉牙齿救援箱。只有 32 名（7.7%）水球运动员佩戴护齿器；不佩戴护齿器的最常见原因是认为其没有必要[169 例（40.7%）]。这项调查强调了在水球运动中提高对牙外伤预防知识水平的必要性。除了相关体育协会和教练提供的信息和指导外，牙医也可以在提供教育方面发挥作用。
