That’s interesting about the dual-layer guards lasting longer—I wish I’d known about those back when my grandkids were younger. My oldest grandson played hockey and chewed through his mouthguards constantly. We’d be buying new ones every few weeks, and it always felt like a waste, but at the time I just assumed that was normal. Never really thought about whether a thicker or layered guard would make much difference.
I do wonder about the shock absorption claims, though. I’ve worn night guards for grinding as an adult, and while they definitely protect my teeth, I can’t say I ever noticed much in terms of cushioning for my jaw or anything. Maybe it’s different with sports guards for kids since they’re taking more direct hits? Either way, I agree—insurance not covering these things is frustrating. You’d think prevention would be cheaper in the long run than fixing broken teeth later on.
Curious if anyone’s dentist has ever suggested custom guards for kids, or is it usually just the store-bought ones? Custom ones were pricey for me but did fit better...