Orthodontic gum shield

[ragged]

Does your teen have one & which one is it, would you recommend? Looks like I am going to have to choose one online, & the selection is bewildering.

12yo wants it in maroon which may be impossible, but would be nice if possible.
Some martial arts & cycling.

[Boston2Step]

Is there a choice? We were going to buy one from the ortho when we next visit. Just assumed there would be just one to choose from!

[ragged]

Huge selection online.
I wish I had just bought at the orthodontist the other day but it's 18 mile round trip which = £7.38 in travel costs, so cheaper delivery if I buy online now.

[Boston2Step]

How much are they online Ragged?

[EdithWeston]

There are basically two types. The expensive version is the properly fitted type; this does give greater protection but that may be down graded if the DC is still losing/growing teeth. The other is 'boil and bite' where you follow instructions and do the fitting yourself at home. There are oodles of these on sale online or at sports shops (who, if they have good staff, may be able to advise you if which type/brand is best vfm for the level of hazard in the likely activity).

[EdithWeston]

This rugby equipment store has a wide range.

[ragged]

Orthodontist was selling a boil+bite kind, probably for a lot more than £7 which is why I didn't just get it. Boil+bite seems to be the right sort for DS (as little as £7 on amazon).
Don't have any sports shops here, either.

[ragged]

Opro custom looks like the one DS orthodontist had. £37.
I should emphasise that DS barely does any of the risky activities, I'm now thinking I'll just get the Amazon one & see how we get on with it.

[EdithWeston]

I have to say that I went for boil and bite for pre and younger teens simply because they loose the damned things.

I expect I'll be spending on a fully fitted one for larger, rugby playing teens idc.

Incidentally, you can get real cheapies (about £1-2) that you don't mould, just shove in. They don't offer the same protection, but can be handy for the odd occasion when the real mouthguard is lost but DC needs one to be allowed to participate.

[MadAboutHotChoc]

Boil and bite here too - our dentist does not suggest specially fitted shields until their adult teeth have all come through.

The boil and bite ones are fine and we have around 2 or 3 at a time cos shields are often lost especially when these are being used several times a week for various activities.

[Boston2Step]

Adult teeth should all be through if they have braces fitted though?

[Boston2Step]

So a regular gum shield fits over braces and we don't need a special one? God,I'm confused!!

[ScatterChasse]

I had one from the orthodontist which was for specially over braces (lacrosse and hockey player). It fitted over both your bottom and top teeth.

I'll try and find a link.

[ScatterChasse]

Mine was a bit like this.

A boil and bite isn't much good if you're wearing braces because your teeth keep moving.

[Boston2Step]

Thankyou scatterchasse!! wow it's expensive! Ds had better not lose it when I finally get one

[ScatterChasse]

This one on the same site is much cheaper and looks a similar type, so if he loses it get him one of those perhaps?

I think you have to tell him never take it off until it can go back in its box and in to his sports bag or wherever. You should probably nag check for a couple of weeks too!

[MadAboutHotChoc]

Sorry missed the bit about braces - definitely need to get these specially made.

[startail]

You buy them, they sit un worn in PE bags.
"it's uncomfortable."
You buy a new one, it doesn't even get put in the PE bag.
She now has a brace so it won't fit ant way.

Might be different if you have sporty DCs, but in this house they appear to be a waste of ££

[chopchopbusybusy]

I bought a shock doctor for DD from the orthodontist. It was a boil and bite and fitted over her braces. She still uses it now that she has had her braces removed. You can reboil and reshape them them. Cost under a tenner.

[imnotmymum]

I am stupid !! I never thought to go online and paid thirty quid from ortho !!! Stupid stupid me !!!

[ragged]

imnotmymum: At least you don't feel doomed to be permanently confused about what to buy (am good at being paralysed with indecision).

With the boil-n-bite ones, can't you reshape them whenever they need it reshaped? I thought that's what Rugby people told me.

[imnotmymum]

The boil and bite are for non bracers I thought that what my other kids got obviousl as teeth moving all the time this not good dd has a channel thing in it so not moulded to teeth.

[ragged]

some of the boil-n-bite products definitely bill themselves as suitable for permanent fixed braces.
(sigh). Ho hum, could just toss a coin, couldn't I?

[MoreBeta]

TBH I would go for the OPRO one you can buy in good specilist sports shops. It is the very best of the boil and bite ones and can be reshaped easily for a couple of seasons if they are losing teeth or wearing braces. It comes with a DVD that has all the instructions.

[5babyangels]

Which ever one you choose, make sure u get one! My ds13 bashed his top 2 front teeth in half at the skate park. He had a helmet on but no gum shield! He did what they all call a face plant!!! V painful and looked ridiculous! Paid for private dental and it's ok for now but looks like route canal in the future!! £10-£30 is nothing compared to dental bills. Nhs will only pay for function not cosmetic, so have paid out £300 already faced with £600 if it breaks! If it means they'll wear it just do it. You only get one set of teeth and they need to last a lifetime