Dentists are calling on Gaelic football coaches and referees to ensure that juvenile players wear mouth guards during games and training.

As of January 1, it is compulsory for young football players, up to and including minor players, to wear mouthguards. From January 2014, all players at all grades will have to wear them.

However, speaking at a seminar at the weekend, the president of the Irish Dental Association, Dr Andrew Bolas, expressed concern over reports that a number of college players were not wearing guards while playing in Leinster and Munster games last week.

"Previously we had urged the GAA to bring in this rule and we warmly welcomed it when it was introduced. However strict enforcement from the start is key, as we have seen from the success of the 'no mouthguard no play' approach adopted by other codes from under six right up to minor/under 18 level," Dr Bolas explained.

The association has issued guidelines on the use of mouthguards. They note that most traumatic dental injuries happen to the upper front teeth in both adults and children. However, the use of a properly fitting mouthguard ‘can reduce the incidence of injuries to the teeth and surrounding tissues'.

Dr Bolas explained that he is often called into Sligo General Hospital to treat sport-related dental injuries.

"Some injuries to teeth from a clash of heads or a stray elbow can be quite horrific, with teeth broken, displaced or completely knocked out. It is well worthwhile talking to your dentist about the best options," he said.

While acknowledging that customised mouthguards are more expensive initially, ‘they do provide the best comfort and protection and could well prove much cheaper in the long run', he added.