Need mouthguard recommendation please

[Boo Mc]

DS (almost 9) is starting football this fall and I need to get him a mouthguard. What kind do kids like? Which is most comfortable and most effective? I've looked at some sporting goods stores web sites but there are so many to choose from! All I've decided so far is that I should probably get one with a strap so he's not carrying it around with dirty hands like the pros do . Should I get one that's pre-formed or one you have to boil and fit? Also, do you get it for the top and bottom teeth or just the top? Thanks so much - hopefully we can avoid expensive dental bills!

 

[bananiem]

My ds 9 has used the Shock Doctor for the past 5 years in hockey. We got him one for football too. We tend to go through a couple of them a season.
The Shock Doctor is a boil and fit kind. It's kind of a pain, literally, because it's pretty warm when you put it in their mouth and my ds tends to bite down before I tell him to, which means he bites me.
I didn't know before we started getting mouthguards, but they can help kids not get a concussion too!

 

[LynnM]

Most kids leagues require the mouthguards with the strap-that way the refs can just look down the line and make sure all the players have mouthguards in. We have always used the boil and fit (for the top teeth), usually shock dr and do buy an extra as sometimes it will fall off/apart, especially if your son chews on it alot. We keep an extra in the car because sometimes they don't realize they've lost it until you arrive at the game and they can't play without it.

Also, make sure you keep the package and your receipt, in case an injury does occur. One of my son's friends broke a front tooth while wearing a mouthguard that I had purchased for them, and luckily I had the receipt. Be aware of the fine print though. The package may say $1500 coverage, but it is actually broke down into $250/tooth, which isn't going to cover a capped tooth.

 

[golfgal]

Check with your dentist, too. Many dentists will make custom mouth guards that aren't that expensive and are more comfortable.

 

[DawnCt1]

We have always used Shock Doctor but it isn't the best choice if your child is in orthodontia. Check with the orthodontist first.

 

[Keggy]

Our Dentist always made ours...

Kelly

 

[piglet too]

Check with your coaches and see what they recommend. Also checking with your dentist sounds like a great idea!

 

[Boo Mc]

Thanks for all the tips! I'll ask the dentist if she makes them, too. For those of you who get them from your dentist, do you have them make more than one and about how much are they? Also, can you put a strap on the ones the dentist makes? Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

A few years ago, the State High School league required all athletes to wear mouth guards in contact sports, so our basketball players had to wear them. The dentist made one were $25, but WAY better quality then the ones you boil and fit. The girls also could get them in fun colors. I am pretty sure the dentist had them with the straps because a friend who's son played hockey had his made at the dentist and I think they have the strap ones too.