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Mouthguards can help protect your teeth, whether you're playing sports or grinding at night. However, if your mouthguard isn’t molded to your teeth, it might not be comfortable in your mouth, may not properly protect you, or could even fall out at an important moment. By trimming the mouthguard to the right size and molding it to the shape of your teeth, you can make your mouthguard more effective and enjoyable in just a few minutes.
How to Mold and Fit a Mouthguard
- Trim your mouthguard so it just covers your second molars.
- Bring a pot of water to boil and submerge the mouth guard for 30 seconds. Take it out and let it cool for another 20 seconds.
- Put the boiled mouthguard in your mouth, then bite down. Suck it to your teeth to get the best fit.
Steps
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Place the mouthguard in your mouth to test the fit. Take the mouthguard out of its packaging and place it in your mouth . Let it sit over your teeth and feel it against the back of your mouth with your teeth, tongue, or by pressing your fingers along your cheeks. If it doesn’t sit comfortably or presses against the back of your mouth at all, you will need to trim it down. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- If the mouthguard is soft enough, you may be able to bite down on the guard to give you a guide on where your teeth sit in the mouthguard. You can use this to help trim the mouthguard down.
- Don’t worry if the mouthguard doesn’t fit perfectly over your teeth. It just needs to fit comfortably in your mouth at this point.
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Trim around 1 ⁄ 2 centimetre (0.20 in) off the ends of the mouthguard. Take the mouthguard out of your mouth. If it was too big or felt uncomfortable, use a pair of sharp scissors to remove around 1 ⁄ 2 centimetre (0.20 in) from the end. Try to cut on an angle to mirror the tapering at the end of the mouthguard. Repeat for both sides until they are the same length. [2] X Research source- If you bit into the mouthguard and can see the impression of your teeth in it, trim the mouthguard so that it just covers your teeth. Any part of the mouthguard near the back that does not have a bite mark on it can usually be removed.
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Test the mouthguard again. Put the mouthguard back in your mouth and move it around until it sits comfortably. If the mouthguard is still pressing against the back of your mouth, repeat the same process to remove another 1 ⁄ 2 centimetre (0.20 in) at a time until it fits. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Dental Association World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health Go to source
- Don’t worry if the cut is a little jagged, or if it feels strange against the back of your mouth at this point. Boiling the mouthguard in water to mold it will also help soften any rough edges.
- The mouthguard should only just cover your second molars when it’s at its perfect length. [4] X Research source
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Bring a pot of water to the boil. Fill a saucepan or pot with around 10 centimetres (3.9 in) of water and place it over a medium-high heat. Let the water come to a rolling boil, before turning off the heat to stop it from boiling too vigorously. [5] X Research source
- Make sure there is enough water in the pot to fully submerge your mouthguard in.
- If you don’t have access to a stovetop or something similar, you can use a microwave to boil the water. Microwave the water in a microwave safe bowl for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the water begins to boil.
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Submerge the mouthguard in the water for around 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon or something similar to lower the mouthguard into the boiling water. Set a timer for 30 seconds and let the mouthguard sit in the water, stopping it from touching the sides as much as possible. [6] X Research source
- If you’re using a mouthguard designed for playing American Football or something similar, you can use the strap on the front of the guard to hold the mouthguard in the water.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when boiling your mouthguard. Most will require that they’re boiled for around 30 seconds, but some may take more or less time.
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Remove the mouthguard from the water and let it cool for 20 seconds. Carefully lift the mouthguard out of the water and place it onto a clean, dry towel. Use the edges of the towel to dry off the mouthguard slightly, removing any boiling water and letting it cool down. The mouthguard should be warm to the touch, but not hot. [7] X Research source
- Avoid moving the mouthguard around too much, as you may mold it too much while it’s still hot.
- You can also dip the mouthguard into cold water for 1 second to cool it off and wash away any boiling water.
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Press the mouthguard against your teeth. Place the mouthguard back in your mouth and begin pressing it into place around your teeth. Use your fingers and tongue to mold the edge of the mouthguard to your top teeth, and bite lightly into it to mold it to the shape of your bottom teeth as well. [8] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Once you put the mouthguard in your mouth, you’ll only have around 30 seconds before it becomes too cool to easily mold. Work quickly to shape it to each of your teeth.
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Suck the excess water out of the mouthguard to tighten it. As you are pressing the mouthguard into place around your teeth, use a sucking or swallowing motion to draw out any water between your teeth and the mouthguard. This will tighten the guard to your teeth and help mold it perfectly to the shape of your mouth. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Place the mouthguard into cold water to set it fully. Take the mouthguard out of your mouth and place it into a bowl of cold water. Leave it to sit for around 30 seconds in the cold water to make sure it sets fully. [10] X Research source
- If the mouthguard isn’t quite right, you can repeat the process of boiling and molding it to reshape your mouthguard again.
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Store the mouthguard in a well-ventilated place. Make sure the mouthguard is completely dry before storing it in a clean, dry place. Use a plastic box with ventilation holes in it to allow the mouthguard to stay dry between uses and prevent the build-up of mold or bacteria. [11] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I remold my mouthguard if it doesn't fit correctly?Dr. Pradeep Adatrow is the only board certified Dentist, Periodontist, and Prosthodontist in the southern United States. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Adatrow specializes in dental implants, TMJ treatments, periodontal plastic surgery, surgical and non-surgical periodontics, bone regeneration, laser treatments, and soft tissue and gum graft procedures. He received a BS in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Alabama and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Dr. Adatrow then completed a three-year postgraduate program in periodontics and implantology at Indiana University and went on to complete another three-year postdoctoral program in advanced prosthodontics from the University of Tennessee. He also serves as a full-time professor and the Director of Surgical Prosthodontics at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Adatrow received the Dean's Junior Faculty Award and the John Diggs Faculty Award, and he was inducted into the Deans Odontological Society. He is board certified by the American Board of Periodontology and is a Fellow of the prestigious International College of Dentistry – a feat that only 10,000 others worldwide can claim.You can repeat the process by immersing it in boiling water again. Always follow the specific instructions provided by the mouthguard manufacturer, as timing and details may vary depending on the product. While a properly fitted mouthguard can provide comfort and protection, it is worth noting that custom-fabricated mouthguards (made by your dentist) offer an even higher level of customization and effectiveness.
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Tips
- You may need to remold your mouthguard over time, especially if you are losing your baby teeth and growing new ones.Thanks
- Custom-fitted mouthguards are also available, which may be more comfortable and longer-lasting than boil-to-bite mouthguards. However, they will also be more expensive. Look online or talk to your dentist to look into a custom-fitted mouthguard.Thanks
- If you have braces, you should avoid molding the mouthguard too closely to prevent it from adhering to your braces. Cover your teeth with aluminum foil, or talk to your orthodontist to get your mouthguard shaped properly.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- If the mouthguard leaves a gap at the front of your teeth, that’s a sign you need to trim the edges.
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Warnings
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Thanks
- Mouthguards are a very important piece of safety equipment, so it is crucial that yours is molded and fitted properly.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Mouthguard
- Pot or microwave-safe bowl
- Water
- Slotted spoon
- Towel
- Cold water
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about taking care of your teeth, check out our in-depth interview with Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MS .
References
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/should-you-use-a-dental-mouthguard-for-your-jaw-pain/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3-yRhFsa3w
- ↑ https://www.ada.org/en/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/athletic-mouth-protectors-mouthguards
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3-yRhFsa3w
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3-yRhFsa3w
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-anti-snoring-mouthpieces-and-mouthguards
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-anti-snoring-mouthpieces-and-mouthguards
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10910-mouthguards
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6323169/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To mould a mouthguard, start by placing it in your mouth to test the fit. If the mouthguard is too big or feels uncomfortable to wear, try using sharp scissors to cut half of a centimeter off the ends of the mouthguard. Then, try wearing it again and continue removing half of a centimeter at a time until the mouthguard fits. Once you're satisfied with the size of your mouthguard, bring a pot of water to boil and submerge your mouthguard into the water for about 30 seconds. After about 20 seconds, the mouthguard should be cool enough for you to place it back into your mouth and press it against your teeth, forming a mold. When you're satisfied with the fit, place the mouthguard into cold water for 30 seconds to set its shape. For more tips, including how to tighten your mouthguard, read on!
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