Mouth Guard Regulations for Ohio Basketball

While mouthguards are recommended by the American Dental Association, most Ohio basketball associations do no require their use.

According to a 1999-2000 study of 50 men's college basketball teams by the Division of Sports Medicine and Department of Endodontics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, mouth guards significantly limited dental injuries. However, Ohio basketball organizations have not yet adopted regulations requiring the use of mouth protectors.

High Schools

In 2008, the National Federation of High School Athletic Associations mandated the use of mouth guards across the country in football, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse and wrestling--but not basketball. Accordingly, Ohio high school athletes must adhere to those guidelines. But while the Ohio High School Athletic Association can enact additional regulations, the state's governing athletic body does not require high school basketball players to wear mouth guards. Nowhere in its general sports or basketball regulations does the OHSAA mention mouth guards.

Youth Sports

Similarly, according to the Ohio Youth Basketball organization's rules and regulations, mouth guards are not required for participation among boys and girls. Still, the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation supports the usage of mouth guards, stating, "It is recommended that mouth guards be worn by all athletes during practice and competition of contact and collision sports."

Sound advice

The Ohio Dental Association strongly recommends the use of mouth guards in contact sports, including basketball. The ODA recently issued a report that claimed, "Mouth guards are as necessary in recreational sports as they are in organized sports. The American Dental Association reports that over 2 million teeth are knocked out each year from sports-related injuries, and estimates that more than 200,000 injuries are prevented each year in high school and college athletics who use mouth and/or face guards."

References

• American College of Sports Medicine: Effect of Mouthguards on Dental Injuries and Concussions in College Basketball
• National Federation of High School Athletic Associations: Position Statement and Recommendations for Mouthguard Use in Sports
• National Collegiate Athletic Association: 2010-11 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook
• Ohio High School Athletic Association: 2010-11 General Sports Regulations
• Ohio High School Athletic Association: 2010-11 Basketball Regulations

Resources

• Ohio Dental Association: Properly Fitted Mouthguards