Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

JEC · 08-15-2002, 08:45 AM

I'm reviewing published scientific articles regarding fencing. I will soon (weekend) post what I learned (or found out). One statement from a Scottish dentist from the "Centre for Dental Education, University of Edinburgh" surprised me (Gav and Pa55word):
<blockquote>quote:<hr /> There is compulsory mouthguard use in some sports including ice-hockey, fencing, boxing, lacrosse and some forms of autocycling. In cricket, face protection appears to be compulsory for batsmen only. The use of mouth protection in the martial arts is compulsory at international level but, in the UK, the rule does not seem to be always enforced at club level. <hr /></blockquote>C. Holmes. "Mouth protection in sport in Scotland--a review." British Dental Journal. 188(9):473-4, 2000 May 13.

I believe this is quite incorrect.

Mergs · 08-15-2002, 08:59 AM

Not necessarily so. I think that he is getting mouthguard and faceguard/headguard mixed in together. Mouthguards, as what we Americans are familiar with (the plastic kind that adorn the facemasks of football players while they stand on the sidelines or what boxers so gentily spit into the hands of their trainers inbetween rounds), are not required, nor have I ever heard of them being recommended. But, yes at first read, it does sound like he is talking about the kind you stick in your mouth.

Gav · 08-15-2002, 02:19 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> Mouth protection in sport in Scotland--a review. <hr /></blockquote>I've never seen anyone in Scoland wear a mouthguard whilst fencing.

If anything in the UK we're less obesessed with safety than you lot in the USA.

Inquartata · 08-15-2002, 07:07 PM

Or maybe when a Brit gets his teeth bashed up no one notices the difference...

( Joke, it's a JOKE! )

AndrewH · 08-15-2002, 07:25 PM

Ha! Even though i'm a brit myself, I can still appreciate that. Good one!

Kodiak Kid · 08-16-2002, 12:22 PM

Oh! I say! Touche`. Wat?