Omar Khalid
Mouth guards are important in sports such as football, soccer, and basketball. Adjusting a plastic mouth guard can be done through a few simple home remedies. The process involves submerging the mouth guard in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, removing it, and placing it in your mouth to adjust it against your upper teeth. You can trim the ends of the mouthguard if it causes discomfort at the back of your mouth. If there is a rip or tear in the mouthguard, you can use a smooth metal surface to carefully smooth out the rough area. After moulding the mouthguard to your mouth, place it in cold water for 30 seconds to ensure it sets fully.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trimming | Trim the ends of the mouth guard to ensure it fits comfortably and doesn't irritate the back of your mouth. |
| Submerging in boiling water | Submerge the mouth guard in boiling water for 30-60 seconds to soften the plastic. If you have braces, boil the water for only around 30 seconds. |
| Moulding | Remove the mouth guard from the water and place it in your mouth. Push the guard against your back molars and bite down for 15-20 seconds. Suck the mouth guard and use your fingers on the outside of your mouth to gently press it into your teeth and gum line. |
| Setting | Place the mouth guard in a bowl of cold water for 30 seconds to a minute to allow it to set fully and solidify the plastic. |
| Smoothing | If there is a rip or tear in the mouth guard, use a smooth metal surface, preferably a spoon, to carefully smooth out the rough area. |
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What You'll Learn
Soften the plastic in boiling water
Softening a plastic mouthguard in boiling water is a simple process, but it requires care and attention to avoid damaging the mouthguard. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:
First, bring a pot of water to a boil. The amount of water should be enough to fully submerge the mouthguard. You can also boil water in a kettle and pour it into a bowl. Be cautious and avoid placing the mouthguard in the water while it is still heating up. This is an important step as the mouthguard can shrink if it is left in the water too long, affecting the fit.
Once the water is boiling, carefully submerge the mouthguard in the water. Use a slotted spoon to place the mouthguard in the water and ensure you hold it by the end strap if it has one. If you have braces or other dental prosthetics, only boil the water for around 30 seconds. Remove the mouthguard from the water after 30 to 60 seconds. It is now ready to be moulded to your teeth.
Use a slotted spoon to carefully lift the mouthguard out of the boiling water. You can then place it on a clean, dry towel and use the edges of the towel to blot and slightly dry the mouthguard. This step ensures that any excess boiling water is removed, and the mouthguard is warm but not hot. Be careful not to move the mouthguard around too much at this stage, as it can be easily moulded, and you do not want to alter its shape before fitting it to your teeth.
Now, you can place the softened mouthguard into your mouth. Push the guard against your back molars with your thumbs and bite down gently for 15 to 20 seconds. Suck on the mouthguard to get a good fit. Be careful not to bite through it. You can also use your fingers on the outside of your lips to gently press it into your teeth and gum line.
Finally, place the mouthguard in cold water to set its shape. Leave it for around 30 seconds to a minute. You can now test the fit of the mouthguard. If it is not quite right, you can repeat the process of boiling and moulding.
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Trim excess material
Trimming excess material is an important step in adjusting a plastic mouthguard. This step ensures that the mouthguard fits comfortably and doesn't irritate the back of your mouth. It is recommended to trim the mouthguard before softening it in boiling water and moulding it to your teeth.
To begin trimming, put the mouthguard in your mouth and assess if it pokes into the back of your mouth or causes you to gag. If it does, take it out and trim a small amount from the ends using scissors. It is important to trim a little at a time to avoid over-trimming, as you can always cut more later if needed. The mouthguard should not extend too far onto the gums behind the back teeth, but it should cover all of the teeth.
When trimming, make sure that the border of the mouthguard extends at least 1/16 of an inch above the gum line. This ensures that, after moulding, it will cover the entire height of each tooth and provide proper retention. Trimming the mouthguard can also help if the height of the guard is an issue, especially for those with a small mouth or an extreme gag reflex.
After trimming, you can proceed with softening the mouthguard in boiling water and moulding it to your teeth. This will allow you to test the new fit and ensure that it sits comfortably without irritating your mouth or gums. If you have braces or other dental prosthetics, be careful not to let the softened mouthguard fill in the crannies around them, as this can damage your dental work.
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Push against back molars
To adjust a plastic mouthguard to push against your back molars, follow these steps:
Firstly, test the fit of the mouthguard by placing it in your mouth. If it feels too big or uncomfortable, trim the ends of the mouthguard using scissors. Remove about half a centimeter at a time until you are satisfied with the size.
Next, bring a pot of water to a boil. Submerge the mouthguard in the water for about 30 seconds. Carefully remove the mouthguard from the water and place it on a clean, dry towel. Use the towel to slightly dry the mouthguard, removing any boiling water, and allowing it to cool down.
Now, it's time to mould the mouthguard to your teeth. Hold the mouthguard with your thumbs on the bottom, pushing it up and back against your molars. Tilt your head back to see the bottom of your molars and push the molar ridges up and into your molars. Hold it there.
Then, bite down firmly to get an impression of your teeth on the mouthguard. Place your tongue against the roof of your mouth to create pressure and suck the guard against your teeth. This should take around 30-45 seconds.
Finally, remove the mouthguard and soak it in cold water for about a minute. Try the fit again. It should fit snugly against your teeth without needing to hold it in place with your tongue. If it still feels uncomfortable, repeat the process until you achieve a proper fit.
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Harden in cold water
After you have finished moulding your mouthguard to your teeth, it is important to set it in place by hardening it. To do this, carefully remove the mouthguard from your mouth and place it in a container of cold water for 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. This will help the hardening material lock into the shape of your teeth, ensuring a snug yet comfortable fit.
It is important to cool the mouthguard with water, rather than letting it cool by itself, as this ensures firm enough placement during use. The cold water will solidify the plastic, so that it retains its new shape.
You can then remove the mouthguard from the water and test it for fit and comfort. If it feels uncomfortable or ill-fitting, you can repeat the process. You may also need to trim the ends of the mouthguard to make sure it fits comfortably and doesn't irritate the back of your mouth.
It is important to note that this is a general set of instructions, and you should always check the instructions of the specific mouthguard you are using for accurate instructions and precautions.
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Smooth out rough areas
If your mouthguard has become rough, there are a few things you can do to smooth it out. Firstly, identify the rough area and decide whether it can be fixed at home or if it needs to be sent back to the manufacturer to be fixed. If the mouthguard has only minor roughness, you can fix it at home.
Find a smooth metal surface, preferably a spoon, and heat it. You can heat the spoon with a lighter or on a stove. Apply a small amount of cooking oil or edible lubricant to the spoon. Using the heated and lubricated metal surface, gently smooth out the rough area. The heat will help to reshape the mouthguard, while the lubricant will ensure that the metal surface does not stick to the mouthguard or damage the material. You can also use cooking spray to prevent the metal from sticking to the mouthguard, but be sure to keep the spoon moving over the area and not just holding it still.
If the mouthguard continues to cause discomfort, you may need to get a new one.
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Frequently asked questions
You can trim the ends of your mouth guard with scissors to ensure it fits comfortably and doesn't irritate the back of your mouth.
Submerge your mouth guard in boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Remove it from the water and let it cool for 20 seconds. Put the mouth guard in your mouth and push it against your back molars. Bite down and suck on the mouth guard to get a good fit. Finally, place the mouth guard in cold water for 30 seconds to set it fully.
Your mouth guard should fit snugly against your top teeth without needing to be held in place with your tongue, and it should fit naturally into your bottom teeth.
Find a smooth metal surface, preferably a spoon. Heat the metal surface and use it to carefully smooth out the rough area of the mouth guard.
Avoid leaving your mouth guard in hot water for too long, as this can cause it to shrink excessively. It is also important to place the mouth guard in your mouth quickly after removing it from the water to avoid it cooling down too much.
