These are among the questions posed in a survey of 800 young 2010 rugby players throughout Otago being carried out by fourth-year dental student Amy Chatfield.
The questionnaire, accompanied by one for their parents, is designed to gather information on knowledge about wearing mouthguards.
"It aims to look at when mouthguards are being worn and what problems prevent players [from] always wearing mouthguards."
The issue of who is responsible for ensuring mouthguard use is one both players and their parents will be asked.
Wearing a mouthguard is something Miss Chatfield (20) is familiar with, as she started wearing one when she began playing hockey at the age of 7.
It was an accepted part of her sporting kit and she "just got used to it", she said.
Among the statements the players will be asked to respond to is: "It is cool to wear a mouthguard".
Miss Chatfield, said it was hoped that the surveys, due to be returned at the end of the month, would provide a good range of responses from players - from the youngest children playing rippa rugby through to those playing junior rugby up to under-13 team level.
Already, about 10% of the sample had completed and returned the questionnaires.
The report from her research, funded by the Child Injury Prevention Foundation of New Zealand and the University of Otago's School of Dentistry, is due to be completed in March.
It was possible the findings could reveal whether any improvements in the design of mouthguards were needed, she said.
