Whether a casual or professional rugby player, you might already own a mouth guard (also called a gum shield). Almost all rugby players wear them while on the field. So, you may have wondered whether mouthguards are compulsory.
It is recommended that all rugby players wear mouthguards when on the field. However, the sport’s governing body World Rugby have not made it compulsory for players but some member unions have in certain countries, for example, New Zealand. A mouth guard is vital because it protects your teeth and jaw from injuries while playing rugby.
Most rugby players wear mouthguards; some, however, choose not to. This post will consider whether you can play without one, whether it is compulsory, and why wearing a mouth guard is essential.
Can You Play Rugby Without A Mouth Guard?
Technically, you can play rugby without a mouthguard (also called a gum shield). However, A rugby referee is not going to check that every player is wearing a mouthguard before the game in the same way that they check players studs are safe and legal, or that players shoulder padding is legal.
A better question to ask is, should you wear a mouthguard? Wearing a mouthguard has many benefits. Wearing a mouth guard while playing rugby protects your teeth and face; this includes during training.
A mouth guard can also prevent your jaw from getting broken. So whether you’re a kid or an adult, wearing one is vital if you want maximum protection on the rugby field. You should get into the habit of replacing your mouthguard at least every two years, and if you have a child playing rugby, ensure you replace it as your child grows.
Let’s be honest missing teeth is never a good luck and I did play with several players over the years who had had the misfortune to lose both their front teeth! Whilst it was a good talking point for the bar afterwards I daresay it wasn’t much to brag about outside the rugby club environment.
Suggested reading: Rugby Shinguards – Who Wears Them And Why?
Is Wearing A Mouth Guard Compulsory?
While rugby unions recommend wearing mouthguards, it is not compulsory to wear one. Unfortunately, this leaves many kids and adults unprotected while playing rugby. New Zealand is the only country known to enforce the wearing of mouthguards. Their rugby league has a strict “no mouth guard, no play” rule for all their players.
That said, it is almost impossible to enforce the wearing of gum shields as they are easily taken out and slipped in a pocket if someone so wishes.
Inf act as a junior player I often forgot my gum shiles at home or lost it and nobody ever cared whether or not I wore it or not apart from myself when I sometimes felt more vulnerable going into a tackle.
Why Wearing A Mouth Guard While Playing Rugby Is Vital
While many rugby players do not use mouthguards, wearing one is crucial if you want to protect your teeth and jaw. Rugby is very physical, so players’ safety should be prioritized. New Zealand made wearing a mouth guard while playing rugby compulsory in 1997. Since then, rugby-related dental claims have reduced by 47 percent.
Over 60 percent of rugby union players sustain trauma to their mouths and face. However, the risk of a rugby player damaging their front teeth playing rugby is reduced by 90 percent when wearing a mouth guard.
While most teams don’t require wearing a mouth guard, take your safety into your own hands and ensure you always wear one while on the field.
There is also scientific evidence that a mouth guard may protect against concussion and injuries to the cervical spine.
Conclusion
While not compulsory in most countries, wearing a mouth guard is always recommended because it protects your teeth and jaw. There is also growing scientific evidence that wearing a mouthguard may protect you against concussions.
It is also essential that you regularly replace your mouthguard. This is especially true for children. So, whether you’re a kid or adult, casual or professional rugby player, you should wear a mouth guard whenever playing rugby.
Suggested reading: Rugby Shoulder Pads – Who wears them and why?
Image Credits
Mouthpiece User:Soh32, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
References
https://www.stmargaretsprep.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2018/01/Rugby-Safe-Essential-Guide.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiJ3PqBnsv6AhUqQkEAHeW4BOsQFnoECAYQBg&usg=AOvVaw34SSlBl-vtv4fUwqbJNcuY
https://makurasport.com/sports/rugby/
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/39/9/650
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9629613/
