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How To Mold A Mouthguard With Boiling Water

How to Mold a Mouthguard with Boiling Water

In this blog post, we’ll go over how to mold and fit your mouthguard with boiling water so that it is not only comfortable but also protective. 

Mouthguards are a necessary piece of equipment for any athlete. Do not make the mistake of not protecting your mouth. Your teeth are very valuable and you need to protect them with a good mouthguard.

If you do not own a mouthguard yet you can check out our reviews. SISU Aero Mouthguard is a very versatile product used in multiple sports.

How To Mold a Mouthguard With Boiling Water (Step-by-Step)

Boil a pot of water

The first step requires boiling enough water in a pot to submerge your mouthguard. Once the water has reached boiling point, remove it from heat. Pour half of the boiled water into a shallow dish or bowl that is large enough to cover your mouthguard. 

You can use tongs to submerge the mouthguard, placing it at an angle so that it is fully submerged in water. You can also add any flavorings to your boiling water to enhance the taste of your mouthguard before removing it from heat. 

Keep it in for 1 minute and then remove it from heat

Submerge the mouthguard for at least three minutes in the water. 

This is enough time to melt any flavorings you have added, and it will also soften your mouthguard so that when you pull it out of the boiling water, it will be easier to mold into a custom fit for your mouth. 

After about one minute has passed, use tongs to remove the mouthguard from the pot of boiling water and proceed to the next step.

Let it cool off before you put it on your teeth

The mouthguard is still hot, so be careful when handling it. Use tongs to remove the mouthguard from the pot of boiling water and proceed to the next step. 

Let your boiled mouthguard cool off for a few minutes before you put it in your teeth. The reason why this should happen is that if you don’t let it cool off it might hurt your teeth. You might also not be able to fit it in your mouth properly.

Now the mouthguard has cooled off enough for you to handle it comfortably with your hands. Place it in between both of your palms and begin squeezing it until the edges meet up against each other as much as possible. Continue this process around all four sides of the mouthguard.

Bite down and mold the mouthguard

This is the step where you will mold the mouthguard to fit the shape of your teeth. To do this, you will need to bite down on it with your bottom teeth and pull. You can also use a mirror so that when you are pulling. You know how much more needs to be done in order for it to fully cover all of your top gums.

If there is a problem you can remold the mouthguard, but if it is too difficult then you may need a new one.

Make sure to keep your tongue away from the front of your teeth while wearing the guard

The mouthguard should not touch your tongue, otherwise, you run the risk of choking on it. You can also use a mirror to better see how it looks when wearing the guard and make sure that there is no part of the mouthguard touching your teeth at all. 

This will protect you from breaking or chipping any teeth during contact sports.

After use, rinse with cold water and store in its original packaging or a container with a lid

Make sure to store the mouthguard in a container that has some kind of seal.

Cleaning off any plaque or bacteria would allow you to wear the mouthguard one more time before replacing it with a new one. 

If not stored properly, mold will form on the inside of the guard and have other negative effects such as causing an allergic reaction.

If your mouthguard looks like it’s been stored incorrectly, throw it out and purchase a new one.

Frequently Asked Question

Do all mouth guards have to be boiled?

No, they don’t. Some mouthguards may not need any fitting whatsoever; they are already stock mouthguards that come in a variety of colors and sizes. These types of mouthguards are ready to wear out of the box, but they may not be as comfortable or protective.

Will boiling a mouthguard clean it?

No, boiling a mouthguard will not clean it at all. You still need to wash and rinse the guard after use or else bacteria and plaque will start building up in between the teeth and around the edges of your mouthguard.

Can I put my mouth guard in boiling water?

Yes, you are able to put your mouthguard in boiling water but do not leave it for more than one minute. If the guard is left in too long or at a temperature that’s too high, this can damage the material.

How long do you put a mouthguard in boiling water?

Typically, it is recommended that you submerge the mouthguard in boiling water for around 60 seconds. This will be enough time to soften the guard so that when you pull it out of the pot, it will be easier to mold into a custom fit for your teeth.

Conclusion

A mouthguard can save your teeth, but it also helps to protect your lips and cheeks from cuts or abrasions. It will also cushion the blow to your jaw if you happen to get hit in that area.

In order for a mouthguard to be effective, it must fit correctly and not come out of the athlete’s mouth during play. There are two basic types of mouthguards: boil-and-bite guards (which are made from plastic) and pre-formed custom guards (made by the dentist).

It is very important that the guard fits properly because any gaps between teeth could allow injury. 

The mouthguard should fit snugly, not too tight or too loose. There is a chance that it will become more difficult to breathe if the guard does not fit correctly. It also needs to be comfortable and able to move around in your mouth. Without feeling as though you’re choking on something large enough to obstruct breathing. 

We hope that you now know how to mold your mouthguard with boiling water.