Wearing a mouth guard is essential when playing any type of contact sport and when participating in many other types of physical activity that could result in losing your teeth, like skateboarding and rollerblading. One of the most popular mouth guards types is called a "boil and bite" mouth guard. It provides more protection and more of a custom fit than a one-size-fits-all mouth guard, but is much cheaper than a mouth guard that is custom-made and molded.
Step 1
Use tongs to dip the mouth guard in boiling-hot water. Keep it in the hot water for 10 to 45 seconds, depending on the material. Be sure to check the package label to find out how long you should boil it for.
Step 2
Remove the mouth guard from the boiling water using the tongs. It should be a little floppy. Dip the mouth guard in a bowl of cold water for one to three seconds, again depending on the directions on the packaging.
Step 3
Remove the mouth guard from the cold water, place it in your mouth and bite down. Suck out all of the excess air from your mouth in order to get a good seal of the mouth guard on your teeth, and use your fingers to press up and mold the mouth guard to the inside and outside of your teeth and gums.
Step 4
Remove the mouth guard and let it air-dry and cool before using.
Tips and Warnings
- Put the mouth guard in your mouth before starting the preparation process to make sure it will cover your entire set of teeth. Standard, over-the-counter mouth guards will fit most mouths, but you should check just to be sure.
- Before you do anything, read the instructions on the packaging of the mouth guard. Follow them exactly. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, call the manufacturer. Be extremely careful when placing the mouth guard in your mouth after dipping it in the cold water, as it could still be too hot. If it is too hot, dip it back in the cold water for several seconds and then place it in your mouth.
Things You'll Need
- Mouth guard
- Water
- Sauce pan
- Bowl of cold water
- Tongs
