First off, I think it's wonderful that you and your daughters have found an activity to do together.
I personally, have run into the same problem...braces. growing tooth arches and getting certified.
Unfortunately, as fast as you install a new mouthpiece, they seem to have out grown it. I initially tried the "boil and bite" Secure® mouthpieces. It seems that no matter how fast I boiled them, their teeth changed position. The complaints from the arch wires continued. There was the additional possibility, that the boiled mouthpiece would "lock" onto the arch wires.
The US Divers Comfobite® mouthpiece seemed to work better. It has a plastic piece that crosses the roof of the mouth and is held in by "magic" The size of the arches don't matter and the wires don't get into the way.
My son was ready to dive at age 12 and my daugher will never be ready--she's claustraphoblic and is the last person I would want down there diving when some "thingy" swims past her. Her panic was immediate and profound.
A couple of suggestions though. First, MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD, NO MATTER HOW MUCH OF A DIVE GENIOUS, IS ACTUALLY READY TO DIVE. They, not you, have to want to dive and put up with the discomfort of suiting up and allowing their tender mouths to be subjected to the regulator and the discomfort it may generate from the friction rubs that may come form the arch wires. The good news is that the braces will one day be gone.
Much of what they go through is based on their personal maturity to tolerate the training process. To help them, you can purchase silicone EAR putty to coat the ortho wires and make things a little more comfortable for them. Soft wax works but it tends to come of during the dive. This silicone putty may be found at...gun stores... it is used as mouldable earplugs for trips to the gun range. I have found it at well stocked drug stores. DO NOT USE SILICONE ADHESIVE FROM THE HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE. IT IS TOXIC.
Another matter is the remote possibililty of avascular necrosis of some of the bone joints--especially the hips. Keep the dives shallow. Check our Scubadoc's site
Scuba-doc@scubadoc.com I believe he has some insights into certification of younger divers. Your youngsters will enjoy themselves in 30 ft (10 meters) of water. The light brings out the colors beautifully. Don't torture them with seasickness. If they don't feel good, it's time to go home. Make this a fun adventure. As they get older, they can go deeper.
NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF THEM. They will be so engrossed in their new world, that checking their guages is the last thing on their minds as is the welfare of their "buddies". For that matter, do not pair them into their own buddies. YOU are their mutual buddy and watch them like a hawk.
If your child doesn't want to continue with diving, don't take it personally, or push them till they rebel.
If they abrade their lips, a low cost, high tech trick is to buy a diode laser pointer with a wavelength of about 640 nm--red light. It's about $20 dollars and as little as $10. A thirty second exposure to the injured skin will substantially reduce the pain and might avoid the mouth ulcers that can follow. If trauma is continuous, though, don't expect that shining red light on the sore will clear it up. As fast as you are making things better, they are re-injuring the area again. These pointers can be picked up at Best Buy, Office Depot, or, if you want to spend more money, The Sharper Image. All these devices output less than 5 milliwatts and will not cause cancer. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE ARE PRESENTATION DEVICES--THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN FDA APPROVAL FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE--WHAT FOOL IS GOING TO JUMP THROUGH THE FDA HOOPS TO CERTIFY A $20 LASER POINTER. I simply know from years of use that they work most of the time. Get a pointer that generates a spot--not a cat, dog, car or star. Expose the affected area for approximately 30 seconds FOR ALL PARTS OF THE WOUND--in other words, it might take 1-2 minutes to expose a large area. Another important point is that while a little light is good, repeated exposures actually reduce its effectiveness.
This device also is a godsend for viral fever blisters--especially, if they are used BEFORE there is any skin lesion. As soon as the patient relates to you that they feel like they are getting a fever blister, irradiate the area--overlap onto healty tissue. Remember, this is a virus and if little blisters are already present, they are HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS. Event at this stage, though, relief in the form of a shortened clinical course and rapid drying out may occur. If you wait for the scab, you're too late.
Finally, as you are aware, there is some controversay about training divers at younger ages because of their maturity. That should be a parent's ultimate decision. Just because PADI says it's possible may not make it so. So, be careful.
Hannesv, I find it refreshing to see your use of "denture" in describing a normal dentition. It is a proper term but most people associate it with full dentures. It actually, describes the dental apparatus present in anyone's mouth at any given time. It must be the South African in you. It actually has nothing to do with the teeth being removable or artificial.
I would make one suggestion which can be reinforced by the staff at your local dive. Different regs have different weights, breathing ease and ergonomics. Even the different brands can effect size of the mouthpiece. Make sure YOU'RE satisfied. Since your children are using these regulators, try to standardize their gear so it is easily swapped.
I hope I have helped. If you have more questions, please feel free to contact me. I will be gone the latter part of next week visitiing my daughter (who can't dive) at college--GO GATORS!! We are bringing up the Stein Moving Service. If you can't reach me through the board, try my AOL handle. in my personal information. It is my pleasure.
Regards, and good luck.
Laurence Stein DDS
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(No representations are made that in any way offer a diagnosis, treatment or cure for any illness or condition, either discussed or implied. Answers to questions are offered as information only and should always be used in conjunction with advice from your personal diving physician/dentist. I take no responsibility for any conceivable consequence, which might be related to any visit to this site.)
