Gumshield numpty, help required

[Flangey]

A gumshield is listed on the Y7 PE uniform for DD. I see you can buy cheap ones or expensive bespoke ones. The school do not have a company come in to do fittings, which I gather some schools do. DD will not be playing hockey or rugby out of school. What should I look for?

[Bigfatpicnic]

And thanks to the OP whose thread I have piggy backed on to.😀

[Bigfatpicnic]

Thanks for all your replies you lovely helpful lot. I do appreciate it. Secondary school, braces, gum shields etc are a whole new game to me, so thanks for your help.

I hadn't even thought about it getting left in a pocket and taking a swim round the washing machine🤔

[user1471450935]

Bigfatpicnic,
Both Ds got their gumshields from the dentist, for use whilst being treated with braces, for about £6-8. it was similar to one intuition one, but simpler.
Boil and bite ones are great, and most have lasted at one season, if not lost. Ds1 has played both codes of rugby, league and union since he was 9, now 18, only used cheap boil and bite, usually DW or Sports Direct, with no problems. In fact in the decade we have been involved with rugby, can't remember a child losing a tooth. All used boil and bite users.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

I used boil & bite ones when I played rugby, they were fine for me. I used a junior one and even then had to trim off some of the length at the side because they went so far back it would activate my gag reflex.
The best things about boil & bite? Cheap & easy to find in shops whenever you inevitably lose/forget your gumshield, especially on tour. Cheap to replace when you leave them in your shorts pocket & they go through the washing machine, & you've boiled them up so many times they're basically a blob. Cheap to replace when they get mud ingrained in them.
I got away without any serious injuries, did they reduce my risk of biting my tongue or damaging my teeth? I think so. Concussion? No idea. Comfort? They do take a bit of getting used to, but even friends with fancy custom ones found that.

[Mumto3teenagekids]

Bigfatpicnic. I have made custom mouthguards over braces but this is where it is tricky. Obviously all the teeth are moving so it may not last a whole season especially when the orthodontics has just started and there is a lot of initial movement. There's no great answer- it's almost impossible to protect teeth as well as when there are no braces. Boil and bite is your best compromise (one marketed for braces).
EdithWeston. You are not right. The custom made one will ALWAYS protect better, even in the growing jaw. Provided it is made correctly (that can be the problem!)

[intuition]

For fixed braces there is a special top and bottom one, its about £20. It's not great but fits over the braces. The air hole is too small and my son found it difficult to breath in when running fast in rugby.

[AveEldon]

I think your orthodontist will do you a mouthguard (probably for £)

[Bigfatpicnic]

My DC need gum shields for YR7 this Sept, but I think we are heading towards a fixed brace between now and Sept. Does anyone have any idea how gum shields and fixed braces work?

[EdithWeston]

Oh, it'll certainly last the season, but the fit in a growing jaw won't be anywhere near as good as a fully-fitted one in a stable mouth. Not dissimilar from a well-fitted boil and bite, really, as they also can last a whole season.. Because once that eruption/loss has happened, it's no longer fully-fitted - it's an approximation. Though it will continue to offer sufficient protection - about on the level of boil-and-bite.

[Mumto3teenagekids]

EdithWeston- a correctly made custom fit mouthguard has always lasted my kids the season. A good technician looks at what teeth are there and allows for loss of teeth/ erupting teeth. The boil and bite ones just don't offer the same protection. Your choice!

[Allthebestnamesareused]

Wow £50 is cheap for a custom made. Whereabouts are you?

DS's was £120 at the NHS dentist

[EdithWeston]

Our orthodontist said that fully fitted do provide better protection. And one you have stopped growing, that's clearly the best option.

But for preteens still going through puberty, changes to dentition and jaw growth mean that the (expensive) full fit actually might be the wrong fit in a matter of weeks. Having a series of boil-and-bite may well be the better option until your DC's growth spurt is largely over. Especially if they lose things.....

[Situp]

I should point out that I am not a medical expert but this is what was recommended where I worked.

Players were always advised to wear gum shields to stabilise the mandible and reduce the impact from blows to the jaw or if a player hit the back of the head.

Clearly you should follow what your governing body advises so if this is no longer the advice then crack on.

I wear a dentist made gumshield and in 20 years of playing have never suffered a concussion

[Numbkinnuts]

• inconclusive

[Numbkinnuts]

Sit-up thank you for pointing me in that direction. It would appear however that the evidence is anted octal and inclusive. Would I be right ?

If the evidence was compelling then surely World Rugby would make mouthguards mandatory ?

Also the RFU make no mention of mouthguards in their Headcase programme for their community game.

I am interested as have two Rugby playing boys and would like to see the evidence which it would appear the lead bodies are not referring to.

[KT63]

Shock absorption makes sense, I hadn’t thought of that. Like I said its been many years since I’ve used one, technology has no doubt moved on since those days

[Situp]

They don't prevent it but can reduce the impact.

[KT63]

X post with Situp

[KT63]

Granted it’s been 20 + years since I needed a mouth guard, but I used the boil and bite ones when I played hockey. Please do get her one, even if it’s a basic one because hockey balls can cause damage (I’ve been skelped in the face by one!) and it’s worth having the protection.

Not sure how a gumshield/mouthguard would prevent concussion though?

[Situp]

@Numbkinnuts
Umm the medical experts I worked with during a 10 year career in professional rugby...

If a player falls and hits the back of the head, the gum shield help absorb shock and stabilize the head and neck.

They also limit movement caused by a direct hit to the jaw.

There are lots of research papers published on it.

Boil and bite are thinner and fit less snugly so the shock absorbtion and stability is better with custom made.

[Numbkinnuts]

Situp who on earth told you that a gum shield prevented concussion !

[Mumto3teenagekids]

Get your dentist to make one. Hopefully it's the best wasted £50!!!! Dental bills would wipe that amount out before you even think about it. I wouldn't let my kids near a hockey ball or stick without the best mouth guard possible. You won't regret it.

[RomaineCalm]

The trouble is that if DD has to play hockey (albeit reluctantly) she risks getting hit in the mouth with a ball. Dental bills can run to ££££ if she needs to have work done.

If you have a local hockey or rugby club it might be worth asking whether they have anyone that fits gumshields. We got ours done at the club more cheaply than at school. It's still a lot of money compared to the others but we try to think of it as insurance.

[dlnex]

Sports Direct - boil and bite, about £5, new one every year.

[Flangey]

I have read comments from some dentists/orthodontist that boil in the bag are better for growing teeth. It's confusing. £50 seems quite steep for a reluctant hockey player, although I appreciate anyone can get hit. Does anyone know what a soft shield is?