Table 3.

Responses of orthodontic patients (involved in contact sports) to each item based on attitude and perception about mouthguards.

Items	Response	Frequency distribution counts (%)	Total responses
1. Have you experienced any trauma to your teeth or mouth during contact sports before	Yes	65 (44.2%)	127
	No	62 (55.8%)
3. Did you hear about mouthguards to protect your teeth and mouth during contact sports before	Yes	107 (72.8%)	147
	No	40 (27.2)
5. Have you seen any mouth guards before	Yes	83 (56.5%)	147
	No	64 (43.5%)
7. If yes to the above question, where did you see it	Orthodontist	10 (6.8%)	94
	Coach	24 (16.3%)
	General dentist	9 (6.1%)
	Friends	21 (14.3%)
	Internet and social media	30 (20.4%)
12. Do you wear a mouthguard during contact sports routinely	Yes	57 (38.8%)	147
	No	90 (60.2%)
14. Will you be cooperative with wearing a mouthguard during contact sports if it is recommended for you?	Yes	120 (81.6%)	147
	No	27 (18.4%)
16. Are you prepared to pay additional costs for the mouthguard to protect your teeth during contact sports?	Yes	71 (48.3%)	147
	No	76 (52.7%)
17. Do you believe that a mouthguard will protect your teeth during contact sports?	Yes	127 (86.4%)	147
	No	20 (13.6%)
19. Do you think wearing the mouthguard during sports is uncomfortable?	Yes	112 (89.8%)	120
	No	15 (10.2%)
21. In general, why do you think the mouthguard is not comfortable?	It is Bulky	35 (23.8%)	105
	Difficulty in speech	25 (17%)
	Difficulty in breathing	8 (5.4%)
	Loose	25 (17%)
	Causes nausea	12 (8.2%)