Just reading this article about the u14 game and couldnt help but notice the image and how the 2 guys gumshields are hanging out of their mouths. I know from this year on that its compulsary for all players u18 and lower to wear gumshields and thats a positive move. However, are the kids/parents been given the correct advise when it comes to purchasing or fitting these? Its clear from that image that those particular players gumshields are either too big, or werent fitted to the lads teeth properly in the first place. If either of those lads got hit in the mouth those gumshields would do much more harm than good. they'd be better without them in that instance. Those 2 lads look to have a choking hazzard rather than protective equipment in their mouths and its something ive seen with loads of other kids at under-age games too. Is it something that needs to be addressed be clubs asap before a kid chokes or does damage with one thats not properly fitted or the correct size.
23/05/2013 16:24:09 uptheross County: Meath
That's the first thought that came into my head when i saw the picture. Problem is that most parents will end up buying over the counter gumshields as they are a good bit cheaper than the properly fitted ones. The over the counter ones aren't tailored to any specific ages/sizes, are uncomfortable to wear and make breathing difficult. However, as long as they remain significantly cheaper than the fitted ones, parents will continue to buy them. I've heard that a few clubs are getting all of their senior players fitted for gumshields with the same dentist and are getting large discounts as a result. This seems to be the best way to go about it.
23/05/2013 16:34:39 Greenwood County: Meath
Jinxie Good post. I believe there is probably loads of kids with gumshields that are incorrectly sized and therefore you will witness loads of kids during games with gumshields hanging out of players mouths like those two pictured. However my own son has had one correctly sized and has great difficulty in getting used to it. He finds it a lot more difficult breathing normally with gumshield in place. I have noticed him several times throughout games with the gumshield hanging from mouth like in picture and more often than not with it out altogether. It is seriously driving him to distraction during the game and I found myself telling him to remove it completely during one particular game and place it in his sock. I know this is wrong as I agree with the ruling but are other kids struggling to get used to these or is my lad just the exception?
23/05/2013 16:54:35 Jinxie County: Meath
Greenwood, Thats a very good point. It happened myself when I started wearing one first a few years ago and I kept getting a choking sensation, and this was with a fitted one that had cost €150 from the dentist, and like you mentioned in your example, mine spent most of the game in my sock which is no use. uptheross, Yeah there are clubs doing that and its a great idea. I got another one myself at the start of the season from gumshield pro online (think they are based in Navan, actually seen the link on this site) and it is the best fitting one Ive got and only cost about €30 I think. They sent out a compound that you mix and them place in template gumshield, one of four sizes, then you send it back and they send you out your gumshield. So for €30 to get a proper fit, compared to 420/€25 for an over the counter one, then thats definatly one to be getting kids.Its something that clubs could take control of maybe and offer parents a bit of direction in relation to getting these fitting.
I have hs against about eard that to have one fitted is about €50 about €5 for one over the counter. If that's true then obviously parents will opt for the much cheaper version. You have to remember that a good percentage of team members will loose these every time they play, ask anyone who sweep out the dressing rooms. It could become a very expensive piece of equipment at the end of a year.
im a coach and a parent to and I know for me id happily pay the E50 euro's I coach the under 8's and many a hard tackle I see accidental but can do damage so id rather pay the money on a good shield than fork out on medicacal expenses...
My own view on this, is last year (before they where compulsary) I saw a terrible injury to a 10 year old boy. He had chewed the damn thing, it was completely out of shape and when he collided accidentely the shield ripped through his upper gum nearly severing the lip it was shocking (and I'm sure painful).
So a properly fitting one is less liable to shift - I paid out 35 euro for a dentist to fit my daughter with one.