Chapman P J
Br J Sports Med. 1985 Mar;19(1):34-6. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.19.1.34.
Mouthguards are considered by most authorities to be an essential part of equipment for players in any body-contact sports, especially the combative type e.g. Rugby Union, Rugby League, American Football (gridiron), boxing, etc. (Turner, 1977). The qualities provided by the mouthguard are dental protection, especially of the upper anterior teeth, soft tissue protection around the mouth, a reduction in the risk of fracture of the mandible, and a reduction in the concussion force from a blow to the mandible (Clegg, 1969; Upson, 1982; Davies et al, 1977). Of the 28 players interviewed, only 7 (25%) wore mouthguards, the commonest reason for not using a mouthguard being difficulty with breathing, a finding in common with other similar surveys (Davies et al, 1977). In view of the fact that 17 (60.7%) had sustained oral injuries - dental and jaw injuries, intra-oral and circumoral lacerations, in the past, it was a surprising response to find that only 2 (7.2%) stated that mouthguards should be compulsory when playing Rugby League football.
大多数权威人士认为，对于任何身体接触性运动的运动员来说，护齿器都是装备的重要组成部分，尤其是对抗性运动，如橄榄球联盟、橄榄球联赛、美式橄榄球（美式足球）、拳击等（特纳，1977年）。护齿器具有保护牙齿的作用，特别是上前牙，还能保护口腔周围的软组织，降低下颌骨骨折的风险，并减轻击打下颌骨时的冲击力（克莱格，1969年；厄普森，1982年；戴维斯等人，1977年）。在接受采访的28名运动员中，只有7人（25%）佩戴护齿器，不使用护齿器最常见的原因是呼吸困难，这一发现与其他类似调查结果相同（戴维斯等人，1977年）。鉴于17人（60.7%）过去曾遭受口腔损伤——牙齿和颌骨损伤、口腔内和口腔周围撕裂伤，令人惊讶的是，只有2人（7.2%）表示在进行橄榄球联赛时应强制使用护齿器。
