How To Mold A Mouthguard? (Easy Instruction Guide)

When it comes to sports equipment, it’s important to have a great fit on them to perform well and feel comfortable while doing it. There aren’t many more pieces of equipment that require a better fit than a mouthguard because even the slightest discomfort can make it unusable and even dangerous. That said, how to mold a mouthguard properly?

Molding a mouthguard involves assessing the fit, trimming the ends, boiling in water, and then molding based on the shape and size of the teeth. When the outcome is not satisfactory, the entire process needs to be repeated from scratch. 

Molding a mouthguard improves fitting and protects teeth from potential injuries. You can mold a mouthguard in a microwave for different purposes, including teeth whitening and grinding issues. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to molding a mouthguard properly. The guide will be divided into two sections – pre-check and molding. 

Pre-check

The pre-check process involves assessing the fitting level of the mouthguard to trim and make adjustments to it. 

Step 1: Fit test

• Wear the mouthguard. 
• Check the fitness throughout your mouth to find out areas needing molding. 

If it is too hard, you need to trim some regions and then boil in water. If it is too soft, check if it protects your teeth. 

Remember that the softness of the mouthguard does not do anything good to you. It needs to be between hard and soft to give the perfect protection to your mouth. 

Step 2: Trim the ends

Make a note of areas needing a trim. 

• Take a pair of scissors. 
• Cut less than half a centimeter in that area. 
• Wear it again on your teeth. 
• Adjust the other side of the mouthguard as well. 

A common mistake you can commit while trimming your mouthguard is leaving the other side untrimmed. It can affect the usability of the mouthguard. 

If you are not confident about trimming it properly, you can take the help of an expert. 

Do’s	Don’ts
Mark areas that need trimming before you actually trim it.	Don’t trim too much.
Do it with the assistance of a professional if you are new to trimming.	Don’t use other tools to trim the mouthguard.
Taper the mouthguard until you are comfortable.	Don’t use the trimmed mouthguard directly.
Test it several times.

Step 3: Adjust the mouthguard fitting

If you are not happy with the output, it means the mouthguard needs additional trimming. 

Here are two things you can do to the mouthguard. 

• Trim another half-centimeter so it fits completely. 
• Check if the mouthguard covers beyond the second molar. If so, you need to trim it as it is too large for your teeth. 

Allow the mouthguard to get flexible with proper molding. 

To learn more about how a mouthguard should fit, feel free to read my comprehensive resource about it. I reveal five things you should consider before choosing the right one for you.

Molding

The most important section of this article is molding a mouthguard. Molding begins with softening it by boiling it properly. 

Step 1: Boil the mouthguard

You can use either a microwave or a stovetop to boil your mouthguard. 

fightTips recommends using a microwave-friendly bowl to heat water. On the other hand, you can also use a multipurpose vessel on a stovetop. 

• Take a bowl of water. 
• Allow water to boil moderately. 

Boiling it too much can damage the mouthguard. 

You should also ensure that the quantity of water you have taken can allow the mouthguard to immerse completely. 

If you are using a microwave to boil water, you need to keep an eye on the temperature of the water. 

Step 2: Immerse the mouthguard in water

The next step is to immerse the mouthguard into the boiled water. The rule of thumb is to immerse it for 30 seconds so it softens and then becomes ideal for use. However, some customized mouthguards might require a long time to immerse completely. 

In that case, immerse the mouthguard for another 30 seconds. As soon as you take out the mouthguard, you need to check for its softness. If you are using a hard mouthguard, it takes a long time to soften. 

Note. When the time exceeds 40 seconds, the problem could also be the temperature of the water. See if it is boiled properly, or it can waste your time. 

Step 3: Take out the mouthguard

• Take out the mouthguard from a bowl of hot water and allow it to cool for 20-30 seconds. 

Caution: You can either use a big spoon or the strap to take the mouthguard out of the bowl. 

• Gently pat the mouthguard with a soft towel so it becomes warm and comfortable to touch. 

Tip: If the mouthguard is still too hot, you can quickly immerse the mouthguard into a bowl of cold water for a couple of seconds, which will soften the mouthguard. 

Step 4: Mold the mouthguard

This is the most important step where you set a new shape to the mouthguard. 

• As soon as the mouthguard becomes warm, wear it and adjust it against the first two molars. 
• To get the mouthguard set to your teeth, bite it firmly with your lower teeth so it creates the necessary impression and shapes up quickly. 
• To fit the top teeth, you need to suck the guard as tightly as possible so it develops a perfect fit. 

Cautions:

• The entire molding process needs to be completed in less than 30 seconds. If you delay any activity, it can be difficult to deform the mouthguard. 
• Never chew the mouthguard as it creates the wrong impression and can damage the fitting level. 
• Do not immerse it again in a bowl of hot water if it has failed to deform to your convenience. The molding process is tricky. Doing it at your home needs quick movement and a systematic approach. 

If you feel that the tightness is inadequate, you need to suck the excess amount of water settled in the mouthguard. As you suck it out, the mouthguard deforms and meets your need in no time. 

Sometimes, air bubbles can form inside the mouthguard and affect the shape/size of the mouthguard. This can affect the overall fitting of your mouth. While this can sound trivial, it continues to influence the outcome.

Step 5: Leave it in cold water

It is time to settle your perfect mouthguard. 

1. Take out the mouthguard from the mouth. 
2. Immerse it in a bowl of cold water. 
3. Take it out from the bowl after a couple of seconds. 
4. Wear it and find the fit. 

The main reason to immerse it again is to let it set completely. 

If you are molding the mouthguard for the first time, you may have dissatisfaction with the fit. In that case, you may have to repeat the entire process from scratch. 

Repeat it until you are satisfied with the result. 

How Long Should You Boil a Mouthguard When Molding?

Immersing the mouthguard in a bowl of water for 20-30 seconds is highly recommended to trim it and then alter it based on the need. Don’t boil the mouthguard directly as it is unsafe and not recommended. 

As soon as you take out the mouthguard from a bowl of hot water, you can feel its softness. You can wear the mouthguard, bite, and make necessary impressions before finalizing the shape and structure to sustain it. 

If you have just purchased a mouthguard, there is more chance for it to soften in less than 20 seconds. In that case, you can mold it quickly. 

How Many Times Can You Remold a Mouthguard?

Generally, you can remold a mouthguard 10 to 20 times, depending on the specific model. Repeat the process of placing it in a bowl of hot water, placing impressions on your teeth, and then cooling it to retain the structure. 

Some notable mouthguards with an upper limit of 20 times for remolding include SISU mouthguard and OPRO mouthguard. They’re great if you want to ensure a long lifespan and remolding opportunities!

How to Mold a Mouthguard With Braces?

Molding a mouthguard with braces involves the use of dental wax or a foil to cover brackets and then trim and create an impression of teeth. The only difference with molding when there are braces inside is to ensure the putty from the brace does not attach to brackets. 

In general, getting a custom-made mouthguard from an orthodontist is recommended as the movement of teeth is forecasted, and the mouthguard gives room for flexibility. 

If you have just purchased a mouthguard but are not satisfied with the fit when you wear braces, follow the steps below:

• Check areas needing a better fit. 
• Establish a barrier in the mouthguard for braces. 

When you mold with a gum shield, there is the likelihood that putty attaches to brackets and disturbs the detachment process. In order to avoid this issue, you need to establish a barrier with the help of a foil. 

Caution: Do not attempt this step if you are unaware of placing a foil between braces and mouthguard. 

• Place the mouthguard in a bowl of hot water for 30 seconds. 
• Take the mouthguard out and then alter it based on the alignment of your teeth. 

Certain gum shields give the chance to deform the mouthguard numerous times. 

• Wear braces and then make impressions on the mouthguard with lower and upper teeth (including gums). 
• Once you have molded the mouthguard, place it in a bowl of cold water for a couple of seconds, and then place it in a well-ventilated space. 

Movements are common when you are wearing braces. Using a foil or dental wax to create a barrier allows the mouthguard to adjust whenever there are movements in your teeth. If you are uncertain about the movement, you need to take an orthodontist’s opinion. 

Related: 6 Best Mouthguards For Braces

How to Fit a Mouthguard Without Boiling Water?

Immerse the mouthguard in a bowl of cold water for a couple of seconds, and then wear it immediately to allow adjustments. You can bite or clench your teeth to make impressions. However, skipping the use of boiling water can impact the outcome. 

Placing a mouthguard in a bowl of boiling water softens the mouthguard; skipping this step can add overheads in terms of longevity of the new mold, structure, comfort, and protection to your teeth. 

Perhaps, you can repeat these steps to mold a mouthguard further, but it does have its disadvantages. 

Can You Put a Nightguard In Boiling Water?

Placing a night guard in boiling water breaks down the material and turns it useless. Never place it in boiling water or soak it in water/other liquid solutions to clean or mold it. 

A night guard is used to combat bruxism. Unlike mouthguards, an orthodontist creates a nightguard exclusively for your bruxism condition. Since it is already customized, you do not have to mold it again. If you still feel the need to remold the night guard, you need to reach your dentist for support. 

You can sterilize the night guard but not place it in boiling water. However, there is an exception. Certain over-the-counter night guards offer the option to remold them anytime.

Related: What’s The Difference Between Mouthguard And Nightguard?

Can You Remold a Nightguard?

I already talked about molding a mouthguard, but can you remold a nightguard? This is something that I see often popping up as a question, so let’s take a closer look at it.

Remolding an over-the-counter nightguard is feasible compared to dentist guards since the former is pre-made and gives the flexibility to remold anytime. Contrarily, a dentist-made nightguard fits according to the shape of your teeth, and remolding can be difficult.

Want to remold a night guard? Immerse it in warm water and then remold it. 

If you are new to the concept of remolding a custom-made nightguard, here is a video from the manufacturer of dental guards. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zArQUImz0OI

Alternatively, I would also recommend purchasing re-moldable nightguards. Here are our top picks:

1. Sova night guard 
2. ASRL mouthguard for clenching teeth
3. ORAL-B nighttime dental guard

Oral-B is my favorite among these products as it is beginner-friendly and allows you to do the job comfortably. 

Read also: How To Clean A Mouthguard For Sports?

Can You Remold a ConfiDental Mouthguard?

ConfiDental mouthguard can be remolded. It comes with the option of boiling and biting it to create the impression and then trimming it wherever required. 

Like every other mouthguard in the market, you can also remold a ConfiDental mouthguard. However, remember to go through the instructions from the manufacturer before you begin the process. 

Some manufacturers have conditions for remolding based on the materials involved. As a result, pay extra attention to the process. 

In conclusion, molding a mouthguard is easy when you get familiar with the process. As a beginner, it can be intimidating especially when you think that you need to get it right in one take; however, you can often remold your mouthguards!