My kid just chipped a tooth last month and I’m still second-guessing what to do. The dentist said a guard would help, but the price for a custom one nearly made me faint. These mail-in kits sound tempting, but I keep worrying—are they safe for younger kids? Like, did you have any trouble with the fit or getting the mold right? My son’s not super patient with stuff like that and I’m nervous about messing it up or him gagging.
Also, did your dentist say anything about the mail-in ones? Mine seemed kind of skeptical, but honestly, I can’t tell if that’s just because they want us to buy theirs. I just don’t want to risk making things worse or wasting money. Did insurance cover any part of yours, by the way? This whole thing is way more stressful than I expected...
These mail-in kits sound tempting, but I keep worrying—are they safe for younger kids? Like, did you have any trouble with the fit or getting the mold right? My son’s not super patient with stuff like that and I’m nervous about messing it up or him gagging.
I totally get the worry about the mold part. My daughter is a wiggler and we tried a mail-in kit once for a night guard. She hated the putty in her mouth, and honestly, I almost gave up halfway through because she kept gagging. The fit was just okay—not perfect, but better than nothing. Our dentist also seemed “meh” about them, but I couldn’t tell if that was just because of the price difference. Did your insurance even consider covering any of it? Ours wouldn’t touch the mail-in ones, but partial coverage for the dentist-made guard was possible (still pricey though). Have you noticed your son grinding his teeth at night, or is this more for sports? That made a difference in what our dentist recommended.
She hated the putty in her mouth, and honestly, I almost gave up halfway through because she kept gagging.
That’s exactly what happened with my nephew. The mold part was a nightmare—he kept spitting it out and got super frustrated. Dentist-made ones are pricey but at least they fit better. Insurance barely helped us either... kinda annoying.
That putty is the worst, right? My daughter gagged every time we tried to do a home kit. I totally get where you’re coming from—those impressions are rough for kids (and honestly, adults too). We ended up having the dentist do it, and yeah, the cost stung, but the fit really was night and day compared to the store-bought ones. I wish insurance would cover more, especially since mouth guards can actually save you from bigger dental bills down the road.
It’s a pain upfront, but after my kid chipped her tooth during soccer, I realized the hassle was worth it. She actually wears the guard now because it’s comfortable, and we haven’t had any more accidents. The process is definitely not fun, but once you get past the mold part, it’s a lot less stressful. Still, I wish there was a better way to do the impressions—someone needs to invent a less gross method...
That putty is honestly the worst part for me too. I tried the DIY kit thinking I’d save a bunch, but I ended up gagging halfway through and making a mess. The dentist version was way more expensive, but I have to admit, it actually fit and didn’t end up in the nightstand drawer like the drugstore one did. Still, the price tag stings, especially when insurance barely helps.
I totally get what you mean about comfort making all the difference—if it doesn’t fit, no one’s going to wear it. I’ve been wondering if anyone’s had luck with those new digital scans some dentists offer instead of the old-school putty? Supposedly less gross, but I haven’t tried it yet. I’d love to avoid the whole gaggy mess next time if possible. Also, has anyone managed to get a mouth guard partially covered by insurance? I’ve tried arguing it’s preventative, but no luck so far...