I always wore one. Not worth the risk of having my teeth knocked out:. You can get really good quality gum shields pretty cheaply now and dont notice they are in (except when your trying to talk) When I first started as a junior I found them horrible to have in and never fitted properly.

I've always worn one. Wouldn't play without it. As already mentioned, they protect against concussion, as well as your teeth. A shield that fits, and I've always only used the ones you put in boiling water, won't impact you communicating. After a few wears, you won't realise you have it in.

Having a few missing teeth was almost a badge of honour when I played in the 70s. I lost 5 before I saw sense in the early 80s. The point about guarding against concussion is well made, too.

I've only recently started wearing a mouth guard and it does make a difference in my opinion ( even though you can't mouth off to the officials as good as you can without one in!!!) but I found that they are much better if you get them from your dentist rather than a sports shop such as sports direct etc

Why anyone would risk not wearing one is beyond me. Yes, it's a small chance you'll have teeth knocked out etc but could still happen and for £4 or whatever they cost they're surely worth it

I would alwayscwear one. But rember losing it / not packing it for a game . I thought what are the chances of getting clobbered. Next game accidentally got clobbered by the back of someones head in a tackle and lost my front tooth. 30 years later i still have problems with the capped tooth.

Always worn one particularly after an early stray knock to my teeth in another sport. Could never get on with the ones you boil. Never regretted the investment in one from the dentist. Whatever your comfortable with it is well worth it and avoids years and £££s of expense replacing lost or damaged teeth.

I wore one when I played at a higher level but when I dropped down to more social rugby I stopped, partly because I wanted to talk more and partly because I felt I could handle myself better at that level.
I didn't have a problem but equally I saw someone playing at the social level get his teeth knocked out by falling forward and hitting a knee in the tackle. 6 new teeth needed, so it is worth while

And as explained above it protects more than just your teeth as it strengthens your "face position" if hit.

If you don't wear one, I think you're a numpty. In the same way as cycle helmets aren't compulsory, I wouldn't dream of going out without one. Rugby league is a collision sport, your mouth will get a smack at some point so get it protected.

Tried a few out when I first started playing however found it very difficult to communicate with team mates while it was in my mouth. I never wore one after that, though I would hate to lose teeth so if I did go back playing I would look into maybe a thinner one that was easier to talk with.

Thanks for all contributions and votesIn the same way as cycle helmets aren't compulsory, I wouldn't dream of going out without one. Rugby league is a collision sport, your mouth will get a smack at some point so get it protected.'"

I played both codes of rugby when I was a growing up for nearly a decade. I was never injured in any way and was probably hurt only a few times. I never wore a gumshield and to be honest I don't think I ever gave it any thought. In my mind it was simply not needed and I cannot remember anything ever happening during a game where I would have been helped by wearing one.

In terms of cycling it was pretty much the same. I never really needed a helmet so wearing one would have been pointless. Even though I had a BMX bike I was never any good at any tricks so didn't need one. I do remember one spectacular case of going over my handlebars because my front wheel locked for some reason. But I think even in that case it wasn't my head that needed protecting, it was my hands, arms and knees.

When I played I always wore one. As a kid, the cheap molding type then as I got older I had them made for me through a dentist so that it fit exactly and never fell out. They are definitely worth it if you value your teeth. The cost of a well made gumshield or the cost of reconstructive dental work?

It all depends if you like to gamble...

I always found it difficult to speak clearly with a gum shield in, but as a prop communication was never really a key requirement so it didn't matter. Many moons ago I was playing in a game and I got stiff armed in the face, and I actually saw star bursts like I was a cartoon character who had been bashed over the head. After the game when I took my shield out I found my jaw ached like mad, I dread to think what it would have been like had I not been wearing one.