Gum Shields & Mouth Guards
Are you staying active through rugby, Gaelic football, hockey, or any other contact sport? A high-quality mouth guard or gum shield does more than just cushion your smile. It helps prevent broken or knocked-out teeth, jaw injuries, and painful soft-tissue damage like lacerated cheeks or lips. Custom-fit gum shields offer the best protection by absorbing impact and keeping your jaw stable, even with braces.
Types of Mouth Guards
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mouth guards:
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Stock (Ready-Made): Convenient but bulky, often affecting speech and breathing.
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Boil-and-Bite: Offers decent adjustability by softening plastic and molding it to your teeth for a better fit, affordability, but still not as precise as custom versions.
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Custom-Made: Crafted using detailed impressions, these provide superior comfort, durability, and protection. They conform exactly to your mouth’s contours and are especially recommended for high-impact sports or bruxism (teeth grinding) at night.
Custom Fitting Process for Mouth Guards
At our clinic, your custom mouth guard journey is smooth and reassuring:
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Consultation: We discuss your needs, sports protection or nighttime grinding.
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Impression: A quick, comfortable impression of your teeth is taken.
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Laboratory Crafting: A tailored gum shield is crafted to match your exact dental structure.
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Fitting & Adjustment: Once made, we ensure the fit is snug and easy to wear during breathing, speaking, or contact sports.
Gum Shield Benefits
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Maximised Safety: Custom gum shields significantly reduce the risk of mouth injuries, even preventing serious concussion risks linked to ill-fitting store-bought guards.
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Comfort Meets Functionality: Designed to stay in place, work with braces, and facilitate natural breathing and talking.
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All Ages Welcome: Ideal for both adults and children, especially in sports like GAA, where mouthguard use is mandatory.
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Versatile Use Cases: Whether for sports or grinding, custom mouth guards offer dual-purpose effectiveness for oral protection.
Caring for Your Mouth Guard or Gum Shield
Looking after your mouth guard properly will keep it in top condition and make sure it lasts as long as possible. After each use, give it a gentle rinse under cool water and, if needed, use a mild soap to freshen it up. Avoid hot water, as this can warp the shape and compromise the fit. Once it’s clean, allow it to air dry before placing it in a sturdy, ventilated case. This will protect it from damage while also maintaining its hygiene. If you notice any cracks, wear, or a change in fit, bring it along to your next dental appointment so we can check whether it’s time for a replacement.​
How Often Should You Replace a Gum Shield?
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Growing Children: Approximate annual replacement recommended, as teeth and jaw structure change.
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Adults: Replace when signs of wear appear—bring your mouth guard to dental visits so we can assess its condition.
Why Choose Us
When it comes to protecting your teeth, the quality of your mouth guard makes all the difference, and that’s where we stand out. Every gum shield we make is individually molded using precise dental impressions, guaranteeing a perfect fit tailored to your smile. This means it won’t just protect your teeth; it will feel natural and comfortable from the moment you put it in.
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We take the time to understand whether you need protection for sports, relief from teeth grinding, or both, so your guard is designed to suit your lifestyle. Our team is experienced in creating solutions for everyone, from young school athletes to professional sports players, and we always prioritise comfort, durability, and safety in every design.