Abstract
This research paper aims to investigate the prevalence of dental injuries among basketball players. Also, it will examine the state of awareness and usage of prevention measures among athletes. Through identifying barriers and evaluating the effectiveness of the preventive measures, this research seeks to provide insights on how dental injuries in basketball can be prevented and managed.
In addition, this paper will focus its lens on the role of education and advocacy in promoting safety measures for dental injuries, investigating the responsibility of coaches, sport association, and dental professionals. Through these investigations, the paper seeks to contribute to the development of a greater comprehensive and effective injury prevention programs in basketball. The ultimate objective is to enhance safety and well-being of basketball athletes, ensuring that they can enjoy the intriguing sports of basketball with minimum dental trauma. With the publication of this paper, I aim to raise awareness of the importance of dental protection in basketball and be the frontier for changes that will lead to safer playing environments for all beloved basketball athletes.
I. INTRODUCTION
Basketball, with its fast-paced action and exquisite level of physicality, is one of the most beloved sports worldwide. Millions devote themselves to basketball at both professional and amateur levels. While basketball offers various physical and social benefits, it unfortunately unveils the risk of injuries, particularly dental injuries. The game of basketball involves rapid movements and frequent collisions, making players vulnerable for various orofacial injuries. These injuries vary from minor soft tissue lacerations to severe tooth fracture, dislocation, and avulsions, leaving a perpetual impact on the player’s life.
The prevalence of orofacial injuries in basketball is particularly high, with data indicating a high rate of players suffering from dental injuries through their career. For instance, a study has found that 80.6% of professional and 37.7% of amateur players suffer from dental injuries in China, the Asian powerhouse of basketball.
(Wenli Ma, 2006) Despite these high alarming rates of prevalence of dental injuries among players, the practice of preventive measures, such as use of mouth guards, remains astoundingly low. Mouth-guards are often recognized as one of the most effective tools for reducing the severity of orofacial injuries by distributing force in collisions. The factors contributing to the underutilization of mouth-guards are perceived discomfort, difficulty in communication, breathing, and lack of enforcement from organizations.
- Literature Review
Various researches indicate that dental injuries are common among basketball players. A study of Chinese basketball players by Wenli Ma from BJMU (Peking Univ. Health Science Center) found that 80.6% of professional players and 37.7% of semi-professional players have been through oral soft tissue lacerations and dental injuries during practice. [1] The incidence of these injuries was significantly related to length of training time. In Switzerland, a survey conducted by of 302 basketball players across different divisions revealed that 102 players had witnessed dental trauma in basketball, while 55 had personally experienced such injuries. This suggests a substantial prevalence of dental injuries in the sport. [4]
III. Types of Dental Injuries
Based on the literature, we can categorize dental injuries into several categories: tooth fractures, luxation injuries, avulsion, alveolar fractures, and soft tissue injuries like laceration and contusions. Prevalence of these injuries are significant and one study have indicated that nearly 29% of all injuries in basketball are dental injuries. [5] Crash against hard objects like walls and hoops (OR: 4.39)*OR=Occurrence rate* are one of the highest risk of dental trauma. [6]
One of the most common category of dental injuries is tooth fractures.The damage of tooth fractures range from minor enamel fractures to severe root fractures. After tooth fractures, the most prevailing injuries are luxation injuries. Luxation is a type of injury where the tooth is loosened or displaced inside its own gum socket. Luxation expanse from Concussion (Tooth becoming tender) to Extrusion (Tooth pulled out of its socket). Other injuries like alveolar fractures, involving damage to the supporting bone of the tooth; avulsion, where the tooth is completely displaced; soft tissue injuries, regarding damages to lips and mucosa, are less frequent.
- Awareness and Usage of Prevention Measures.
To minimize risk of injuries, usage of prevention measure are vital. With significant rate of dental injuries, actual use of prevention measures like mouth guards are concerning low. In a study conducted by Ma (2008) [1] it was discovered that although 80.% of basketball players were aware of mouth guards existence only a small percentage actually used them regularly due to reasons such as discomfort and concerns about how they may affect their performance on the court the lack of requirements from coaches and sports organizations also played a role, in this low usage rate. Trainers and sports officials have a role, in encouraging the adoption of protective equipment by leading by example and incorporating safety measures into routine training sessions. One study have found that lack of time is often cited as the primary reason, main barrier for implementation of safety programs by coaches, emphasizing the need for efficient and easily integrated preventive measures. [7] By creating a culture of accountability and safety, the basketball community can enhance the overall well-being of athletes and reduce the incidence of dental injuries among players.
- Conclusion
After examining the research findings and analysis done beforehand, it's evident that dental injuries pose a threat to basketball players across various competitive levels. The occurrence of these injuries spans from fractures to severe avulsions, emphasizing the importance of implementing efficient preventive strategies. Although athletes are generally aware of equipment like mouth guards, the actual usage rate remains surprisingly low, highlighting a crucial deficiency, in injury prevention measures.
The types of accidents pinpointed— crashes with solid obstacles and slips—offer crucial information for developing focused safety measures. Nevertheless, the disparity between understanding the need for actions and putting them into practice underscores an intricate issue that surpasses mere education. Elements, like convenience how effective people think the precautions are and insufficient reinforcement all play a role in the use of safety equipment.
To address this issue, a multifaceted approach is necessary.
This should include:
- Improved design and comfort of mouthguards to increase player acceptance
- Enhanced educational programs that address misconceptions and emphasize the importance of prevention
- Greater involvement of coaches and sports organizations in promoting and enforcing the use of protective gear
- Integration of dental injury prevention into broader sports safety protocols
Moreover there is a need to broaden the involvement of experts in advocating for and tailoring preventative measures. Their knowledge and skills are crucial, in enhancing the design of fitting and more comfortable mouthguards while also educating sportspeople on the lasting impacts of dental trauma.
Ultimately the issue of injuries in basketball is indeed substantial but not impossible to overcome. By fostering communication between raising awareness and taking necessary steps and by engaging everyone involved – including athletes and coaches as well as dental experts and sports bodies – we can establish a more secure setting for basketball players across various levels. Subsequent studies should prioritize creating and experimenting with strategies to encourage the implementation of preventive measures with the end goal of decreasing both the frequency and seriousness of dental injuries, in the sport.
References
[1] Ma, Wenli. "Basketball Players' Experience of Dental Injury and Awareness about Mouthguard in China." Dental Traumatology, vol. 24, no. 4, 17 July 2008, pp. 430–434, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18721342/, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-9657.2008.00586.x. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.
[2] Azodo, C. C., Odai, C. D., Peters, N. O., & Obuekwe, O. N. (2011, February). A survey of orofacial injuries among basketball players. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9374803/
[3] Lesić, N. (2011, June). Orofacial injuries reported by junior and senior basketball players. Research Gate. Retrieved August 2, 2024, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51491592_Orofacial_injuries_reported_by_junior_and_senior_basketball_players
[4] Perunski, S., Lang, B., Pohl, Y., & Filippi, A. (2005). Level of information concerning dental injuries and their prevention in Swiss basketball - a survey among players and coaches. Dental Traumatology, 21(4), 195–200. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-9657.2005.00310.x
[5]Joshi, R., & Krutarth Kshirsagar. (2024). Bird’s-eye view of prevalence, mechanism of injury, and prevention of sports-related orofacial injuries in basketball game. Journal of Oral Research and Review, 16(1), 67–71. https://doi.org/10.4103/jorr.jorr_49_23
[6]Liang, L., & Chuang, S. (2023). Mechanisms of dental injuries in basketball, United States, 2003–2022. Dental Traumatology, 40(2), 144–151. https://doi.org/10.1111/edt.12894
[7] Wilke, J., Niederer, D., Vogt, L., & Banzer, W. (2018). Is the message getting through? Awareness and use of the 11+ injury prevention programme in amateur level football clubs. PLoS ONE, 13(4), e0195998–e0195998. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195998
