Last weekend the GAA congress decided to make the wearing of gumshields (mouth guards) mandatory. This rule change takes effect from 2013 for all underage levels up to minor level. For all other levels it will come into effect from 2014. This move has been welcomed accross the board by the dental profession.
The reasons for wearing a gumshield during sporting activities are obvious…to protect the teeth from fracture. Investing in a gumshield can help prevent against expensive repair work to your teeth.
The main function of a gumshield is to dissipate the the impact of a collision around your mouth rather than on one tooth. There are two kinds of gumshield available.
1. Mouth Adapted “boil and bite” gumshield. These can be purchased in most sports stores. Although they are preferable to not wearing a gumshield at all they do not effectively adapt to the shape of your mouth and jaw bone.
2. A custom made mouthguard made by your dentist.
This is the best form of protection from dental trauma. An impression (mould) is taken of your mouth by your dentist, not just your teeth but also your jaw bone (maxilla). The mouthguard is then made in the lab to fit your teeth and jaw bone exactly. This type of mouthguard covers much more surface area and so can take more forces and dissipate those forces around your mouth more effectively than the other gumshields you can buy in the shop.
We can make these custom fitted gumshields here at South Dublin Dental. These can be made in a variety of colours and designs.
TO SUPPORT THE GAA’S NEW MOVE WE HAVE REDUCED THE PRICES OF OUR MOUTHGUARDS, STARTING AT JUST €60 FOR ONE COLOURED DESIGNS.
Call to make an appointment with us today.