How to mould a gum shield with braces

You may be wondering if you should use a gum shield when you have braces, and the answer will depend on your situation. If you a playing a contact sport then a gum shield is usually essential, whether you have braces or not. This is because teeth/jaw injuries can be quite common in these types of sports and thus gum shields will offer an extra layer of protection to avoid major injury. The gum shield can also avoid your braces causing injury to your lips/cheeks upon impact. In other scenarios, using a gum shield on top of braces is usually optional, and a dentist will discuss with you whether your situation requires it.

There are many different types of gum shields available, however, there are two common types that are typically used.  Both options come with their own methods to mould, as well as various positives and negatives. We take a detailed look at both options below:

Types of gum shield

The most common types are a dental custom-fitted gum shield and a boil & bite gum shield.

Dental custom-fitted gum shields

A dental custom-fitted gum shield will need to be moulded by an actual dentist or orthodontist. This will require an impression taken of your teeth, to ensure a snug fit around your braces and teeth. Once your braces/teeth move or change in any way, then a new impression will be needed to create another gum shield.

This can be potentially problematic for those with braces as their oral situation will be consistently changing throughout the course of their treatment. Subsequently, you may need regular dental visits for new gum shields to be made. While this may seem inconvenient and may potentially be expensive in the long run, it is the most effective gum shield option for those with braces.

Boil & bite gum shields

The boil & bite type of gum shield can be done outside of a dentist, and it may be purchased at a sports or medical store. It is moulded by heating up initially, placing in the mouth, biting down, then leaving to cool and finally, form. This option can be particularly suited to a brace user as the gum shield can be reheated and remoulded as your situation changes.

It is essential to make sure that the gum shield you have purchased is made for brace users, as this will ensure they have the necessary space to protect your braces, teeth, and gums. A standard boil & bite gum shield will not be able to do this and may in fact, cause damage to braces if used for prolonged periods of time. It is also important to choose a boil & bite gum shield which can be reheated and remoulded, as it can be costly to keep purchasing new gum shields each time your oral situation changes throughout brace treatment.

Gum shields after braces

When your braces have been removed then it is essential to dispose of any gum shields you had with your braces, as they will no longer fit correctly and therefore, will not offer sufficient protection. You should also have a retainer made for your teeth to ensure they remain in place, although this will not be a replacement for your gum shield, it serves its own purpose. The retainer is only made of thin plastic, and while they do cover the teeth, they are not made to protect your teeth as a gum shield will when playing contact sports.

You will now need to decide what gum shield to use. While a boil & bite gum shield may have been useful with braces, as your oral situation was constantly changing and it would avoid costly repurchases, they may not be ideal without braces. This is because they do not offer the same security and protection that a dental custom-fitted gum shield will. Subsequently, it is recommended to get a dental custom-fitted gum shield, as they offer great protection. Plus, as your oral situation is now stable following brace removal, they can be kept for an extended period. In fact, they will usually last an entire year, and thus the investment is worth it overall.

The team here at Gentle Dental Care are passionate about smiles, if you would like us to help you achieve the perfect one, you know where we are.