September heralds the return to school for many people and the school season for sports like hockey and rugby. You've probably got the PE kit already, but does it include a gumshield?
Gumshields are essential for anyone participating in contact sports, in the UK that mainly includes hockey, rubgy and lacrosse, plus boxing and martial arts like judo, taekwondo or karate. Usually made to cover the top teeth they offer protection to the teeth in case of a direct blow. This greatly reduce the risk of the teeth being broken or knocked out. This will reduce the need for prolonged and possibly expensive dental work.
However, the protection from a gumshield goes a long way beyond just protecting the teeth, they protect the bone supporting the teeth and the jaws too, cushioning the impact that might occur between the teeth and jaws from a blow to the chin. They can also reduce the risk of concussion from a similar blow, absorbing the impact and reducing shock to the brain.
Many schools and sports clubs now have good policies about gumshield use, you should wear one any time you are training, playing or competing. However, there is more than one type of gumshield, how do you know you have the right one that offers the best protection? A gumshield must also be comfortable to wear or the player will stop using it.
There are three main types of gumshield available.
1 Stock gumshields cost a few pounds, are preshaped and simply fit over your teeth. The likelihood is that they will not fit very well and therefore offer very little protection.
2 "Boil and bite" gumshields are adapted by the player, usually by immersing in warm water then placing in the mouth until it cools. I've tried one of these, it was difficult to get a good fit and was very uncomfortable to wear. Again, protection levels are low, but these remain popular options as they are usually less than £10.
3 Custom gumshields, which will require a dental impression of your teeth. These are the most expensive ranging from £30-£70 approximately, but as they are customised to the individual they are not only the most comfortable but they offer a very high level of protection from injury by having an even amount of material over the teeth. The cost can be off-putting, but for this you should get a choice of colours and often a storage box as well as a named gumshield. For more serious sports participants, eg adults and older teens in boxing or club rugby, the gumshields can be made of several layers to get the highest level of shock absorption possible.
Custom gumshields are also ideal if you are wearing fixed braces, they can be made to fit over the brace and also to allow some space for the teeth to move. I find they generally last a season. Dealing with injuries to teeth while wearing braces can seriously compromise the teeth and the orthodontic treatment as well as prolonging the total time wearing braces.
A lot of schools arrange for a company to come to school at the beginning of term to take impressions for custom gumshields, if this is not available ask your dentist or orthodontist about having one made. If it does not fit or is not comfortable return to your dentist as it may be able to be adjusted. It may seem like a lot of money for a small piece of sportskit, but how much do you value your front teeth, your jaw and your brain?
