|Around the Academy:
An increasing number of top gaelic football players and hurlers are wearing gum shields these days.
It can be no fun losing teeth and for the sake of wearing a gum shield it is worth keeping that smile protected.
The gum shield not only protects your teeth and gums during physical contact, it can reduce damage around the jaw and incidences of concussion.
As every mouth is different, so every gum shield should be moulded to fit perfectly around the top half of a player's mouth.
The best way of doing this is to go and see your dentist, who will ensure the shield is right for your mouth.
The other type of gum shields widely available are the "boil in the bag" variety which are moulded using hot water.
Place the warm shield in your mouth and suck on it for three minutes until it has moulded to the shape of your upper teeth.
Be careful though, as an eager mouth will inevitably end up being a burned mouth.