I have bought a Shockdoctor mouthguard (as recommended by Doc at Saturday's practice) and have followed the instructions to heat it and shape it to my mouth. I *think* it's a good fit (how do you know?) but I find it hard, if not impossible, to close my mouth fully with the guard in place - is that normal? I also find it makes me gag a bit - is that normal too and if I wear it a bit this week before practice is that likely to get better?

On a positive note my son says it makes me look "scary and mean" - so that's good:)

Yes, it will make you gag! For a good while! The more you wear it the better

I'll put it in now then - yuck.

Cheers Maddie:)

*resists urge to make terribly offensive gag reflex joke*

yak though. I'd practise wearing mine around the house tonight...
...if I wasn't so busy comfort eating...

nomnomom

I've trimmed both ends as Doc suggested and that's helped a bit but I can't really picture myself skating round in it without drooling on the floor and having to take it out constantly to vomit - mmm attractive, eh. Let's hope I'm just being a drama queen and it gets better!

It does get better, honest!
And we all look like gumbies with them in, so don't worry about a bit of drool....

Cheers for that, I'm wondering if I haven't got as good a fit as I thought. Has anyone had to re-mould their mouthguard? Instructions say you can but does it work ok, I don't want to wreck it?

I had to put the boil n bite one i had in boiling water a couple o times to rework it.

Ah cheers, I think I'm going to boil mine again. The fact I kept giggling when I tried to set it the first time probly didnt help... :P

Oooh I think I will as well - I've been persevering all week but I still can't keep it in longer than about 6 seconds

Yup, me too. Can't stand the gagging and the drooling. And that's why I'm the Ref. Referees don't have to wear mouthguards.

Then I read about how a mouthguard doesn't just protect your mouth and teeth, but can actually prevent BRAIN DAMAGE in the event of smacking your face off the floor. This led me to want to wear one ALL the time.

i think we should have a new rule that you have to wear them all the time on the track that way we would all be safe and also we would have time to get used to them before we start scrimmaging. I am trying to wear mine all the time but still forget lol

I managed on Saturday better than I thought I would. Still feels a bit ugh but I hope I'm going to get used to it. ...and the slobber.

If you're having real trouble getting a mouthguard to fit, then get a custom-made one - either get the kit from gumshields.com (they do our official Dames ones) or from Opro, or ask at your dentist (this is the most expensive option but will give you the best fit).
It should fit very snugly, but it will still make your top lip bulge in an interesting fashion whichever type you get!

Definitely worth perserving with to reduce the chances of concussion (brain damage!) and to improve the odds of you keeping your teeth.