Diving with braces in your mouth

[xine]

Last sunday, I made appointment with the local dive shop for a refresher since it's been a year that I haven't dived. My only concern was whether I could do equalizing well this time, since it's always been rather difficult with me having rhinitis many days in the year.

The actual problem was the water constantly coming into my mouth with the regulator in, since my mouth would not seal completely with wearing braces. I didn't understand why until the instructor pointed out the problem. So I spent the hours mostly practicing breathing with the reg at shallow waters.

Hopefully next time gets better, but it would be great to have suggestions from you out there who are actually diving with braces. Seacure seems to be a good solution, but currently not planning to own a regulator, it doesn't seem to be the best fit for me. Would clenching my jaws more tightly help?

 

[Wildcard]

Try some different mouth pieces. Some super soft ones are available. If you find one that fits, then just put it ona regulator when you use it. Good luck.

 

[Blackhawk9898]

i would think that clenching your jaws more tighly would only give you jaw fatigue.

 

[ScubaFreak]

Check out the below link...

Sea Cure Mouthpiece (about half way down!)

Moulds exactly to ur bite - apparantly very popular!

 

[DeputyDan]

You will need to obtain a custom mouthpiece.

Both of my kids have had this problem.

 

[Sideband]

I have neither used this, nor had braces, but the Manta bite mouthpiece looks like it would be good from what you described as the problem. Anyone out there used one that could either support or bash my theory?

"bash" wasn't the word I was after but the only opposite of 'support' that I could think of was 'unsupport' and that didn't cut it.

Joe

 

[Seabear70]

Talk to your orthodontist. They often make specialized mouthpieces for varoius applications, they may be able to make a mouthpiece for you.

 

[drbill]

One of my buddies is an active diver and had braces for several years (just removed recently). I'll try to remember to ask her.

Just remember not to take the regulator out of your mouth when in barracuda country!

Doc

 

[paolov]

Last sunday, ... since it's always been rather difficult with me having rhinitis many days in the year. ..

this is a little off topic but just a tip for the rhinitis issue as i suffered this before for YEARS!!!!!

i seldom have rhinitis now, especially on waking up in the morning. I change bed sheets every two to THREE days.

and have the room cleaned this includes the walls, once a month i have the walls wiped with disinfectant.

)

 

[Xanthro]

Use lot's of wax. I had braces as an adult, and when snorkeling, I'd have the same problem with sealing. I used the same wax you use at night when you fix get your braces. I sealed the braces with them, and that worked.

It might work for Scuba as well, and it's pretty cheap to try.

Xanthro