Mouthguards?

quietheart

I've had enough of aching jaws every morning and think I need to get a mouthguard.
Can anyone give me an idea of how much an NHS dentist would charge? Is it made for me specifically, I never seen one so am a bit in the dark.

billieboy_2

I had one made nearly two years ago and I believe it came within the second band charging (approx £40something) but maybe that's wrong. I had one because I grind my teeth! And yes, it is made specially for you, they have to take a mould as if you were having a crown, etc. I'm pretty sure there's a dentist on this forum so they will be able to say for sure.

Reggie_Rebel

You can gum shields, very similar in sports shops for a few quid.

It might be an idea to try one of those first to see if you get on with them.

Toothsmith

rovers wrote: »

I've had enough of aching jaws every morning and think I need to get a mouthguard.
Can anyone give me an idea of how much an NHS dentist would charge? Is it made for me specifically, I never seen one so am a bit in the dark.

Best to talk to your dentist about one.

Technically, on the NHS, as it's something a technician would make, it would be a Band 3 charge - which is 198 quid!

I'm sure the dentist would do it privately for you though for a lot less.

Sport shop mouthguards aren't even much good at guarding your mouth, let alone working as a splint. They are boil-in-the-bag mould to fit monstrosities, and are generally pretty uncomfortable when worn for 40 mins at a time on a rugby pitch. I doubt anyone would last all night with one - and sleep as well!

Plus, a night bite guard often fits on the lower jaw whereas a gumshield fits on the top.

Ask your dentist about it all next time you're in.

quietheart

Flipsters - that more £££s than I thought. I guess it lasts though and I definitely feel I need something.
Thanks for your help. :T

car25

Depends on your grind as to how long they would last, I go through about 2 a year!

Toothsmith

car25 wrote: »

Depends on your grind as to how long they would last, I go through about 2 a year!

Ask your dentist for a hard acrylic one - they are dearer, and take a bit of fiddling to adjust properly, but it will last you much longer.

car25

Toothsmith wrote: »

Ask your dentist for a hard acrylic one - they are dearer, and take a bit of fiddling to adjust properly, but it will last you much longer.

The last one I had was a hard plastic one which lasted maximum 6 months, is this the acrylic type? I managed to crack it in several places and so had to have it replaced quickly as the cracked plastic made my mouth sore.

Toothsmith

Sounds like the fire brigade could use you to rescue people from crashed cars with your teeth!!

angel

I had a soft one made last year and it only cost £40, it's been worth every penny and I couldn't sleep without it now. It's tiny and just fits on the lower teeth, I feel all secure and snug with it in!

I also have hard acrylic ones that were made for bleaching and I struggle to keep them in for two hours and would never be able to sleep in them. They fit well but the softness of the other one is just perfect for sleeping.