A mouthguard is essential for preventing injuries during a rugby game. Usually, mouthguards are made from latex and other soft materials that can be molded to fit the shape of your teeth.
These types of mouthguards are available in most sporting stores and can be bought as a pre-molded or self-fitted type.
However, if you get it wrong, these types of mouthguards can be painful and uncomfortable to wear, so it’s worth spending some time getting them right.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to mold a rugby mouthguard perfectly the first time around!
Buy a mouthguard that you can mold
Why? Because moldable mouthguards are better than boil-and-bite ones in every way. So, buy the best rugby mouthguard for optimum results.
Moldable mouthguards are more comfortable because they have more room for your teeth to move around and rest naturally.
They also provide more protection against concussions, teeth loss, jaw fractures, and other injuries that can occur during play. These features make them more comfortable—and ultimately safer—for players on both sides of the ball.
And finally: they’re less expensive than their boil-and-bite counterparts! but, do rugby players wear Mouthguards? Well, they do.
Prep the mouthguard for molding
Bite into the mouthguard as firmly as possible
When you bite into the mouthguard, do so as firmly as possible. Don’t worry about breaking your teeth; if you bite down too hard and break a tooth, it will be covered by insurance.
Do not bite down on a hard surface to test how much pressure is required—this may damage your mouthguard before you even put it in! Instead, use the tips of your fingers to press against the inside of your cheek.
This should give you an idea of how hard is too hard without risking any damage to your precious pearly whites.
The goal is not just to make sure that no one can hear when someone breaks their jawbone over another player’s head.
Place the mouthguard in your mouth to test the fit
Once the mold is ready, put your mouthguard in your mouth and try biting down. You want to make sure that it’s comfortable.
If you can’t bite down comfortably, then there’s no point in proceeding with this process. You also want to be able to breathe easily while wearing the mouthguard and speaking shouldn’t be too difficult either (you’ll be talking a lot on the rugby pitch).
Finally, make sure that your tongue can move about freely without being caught by any part of the mold!
Check the fit of the mouthguard
Before you start to mold a mouthguard, it’s important to check that the fit is correct. This can be done by biting down on the mouthguard and making sure there are no gaps between your teeth and the guard.
It shouldn’t feel loose or tight—you want it to be snugly fitted without being uncomfortable. The bottom edge of your top row of teeth should be touching the lower part of the mouthguard, with no space between them.
You’ll also want to make sure that it isn’t too loose around your cheeks or lips: if there’s too much room in this area, heat from friction could cause blistering or irritation over time.
If necessary, trim off any excess material with scissors until you find a comfortable fit for both sides of your face (and don’t forget about those cheeks!).
Adjust and repeat until you’re satisfied.
Once you have the mouthguard in the proper position, it’s time to start adjusting it. Do this by using your thumbs and forefingers to stretch or compress the edges of the mouthguard until it fits snugly around your teeth.
You want it to fit tightly without being too tight, so take care not to apply too much pressure as you stretch or compress.
Once you’ve achieved a good fit, go ahead and repeat steps 2 through 5 until you’re satisfied with how things look and feel.
Test the mouthguard again
Make sure the mouthguard fits well and you are happy with it. If it doesn’t fit, repeat the process until you get a comfortable, snug fit.
Your mouthguard should fit properly once you’ve molded it
Once you’ve molded your mouthguard, it’s time to make sure that it fits properly. Your mouthguard should be comfortable and easy to remove in the case of an emergency. It should also be able to be replaced if damaged and cleaned regularly.
If your chosen mouthguard doesn’t fit properly, then it’s important that you return it for a different size or design.
Store it in a well-ventilated place
- If you want your mouthguard to last, it’s important to store it in a well-ventilated place. (That means not in the glove compartment of your car!)
- Store it at room temperature and keep it away from heat or sunlight, chemicals, pets, children, and other mouthguards.
Conclusion
If it’s not perfect, don’t worry. You can repeat the process, just remember to be patient with yourself! This is a new skill you are learning and it takes time to get right. As long as you keep practicing, you will eventually find success. Good luck!