Are You Protected? 5 Mistakes People Make When Fitting Mouthguards

You bought a mouthguard. You followed the instructions. But it still feels loose. It's uncomfortable. Or worse — it's falling out during practice.

You're not alone. Most athletes make the same mistakes when fitting their boil-and-bite mouthguards. And those mistakes can cost you your protection.

Here are the 5 most common mistakes — and exactly how to fix them.

🔥 Mistake #1: Water That's Too Hot

The mistake: You think "boiling water" means a rolling, aggressive boil. You drop the guard in and let it sit too long.

The problem: Excessive heat denatures the polymer structure of the mouthguard material. In simple terms: you're melting it. This makes the guard thinner, weaker, and less protective.

The fix: Heat water to 80°C / 176°F. This is the sweet spot — hot enough to soften the material for molding, but not so hot that it destroys it.

Pro tip: If you don't have a thermometer, bring the water to a gentle simmer — not a rolling boil.

🪥 Mistake #2: Biting Through the Guard

The mistake: You clamp down like you're biting through a steak. You think "more pressure = better fit."

The problem: Over-biting creates a paper-thin layer over your teeth. This reduces protection and can cause perforation. A 2020 study in the Journal of Dental Research found that over-biting reduces impact absorption by up to 40%.

The fix: Use a gentle bite. Apply even, moderate pressure. You're not trying to bite through — you're trying to create an impression.

The Jawgator method: Our boil-and-bite process is designed for a single, gentle bite. Once the guard is softened, place it in your mouth and bite down evenly for 10-15 seconds — no more.

❄️ Mistake #3: Skipping the Cold Water Shock

The mistake: You fit the guard and then... you just wait for it to cool. Or worse, you don't cool it at all.

The problem: If you don't immediately "set" the material, the guard can warp or lose its shape. It needs a rapid temperature drop to lock in the impression.

The fix: Immediately after biting, submerge the guard in ice water for 30-60 seconds. This "shocks" the material into its new shape.

Pro tip: Use a bowl of ice water — not just tap water. The colder, the better.

🙅 Mistake #4: Not Using the "Gap" Technique

The mistake: You suck the guard tightly against your teeth like it's a vacuum seal.

The problem: While this feels secure, it can actually reduce shock absorption. The guard needs a tiny layer of space to properly absorb impact.

The fix: Leave a micro-gap between the guard and your teeth. You should be able to slide a piece of paper between the guard and your teeth.

🔄 Mistake #5: Not Remolding After a Bad Fit

The mistake: You mess up the first time, and you think it's ruined. So you throw it away.

The problem: Most boil-and-bite guards are remoldable — but many people don't know this.

The fix: Jawgator guards can be remolded multiple times. If the fit isn't right, simply re-soften the guard in hot water and try again.

🔧 How to Re-Mold a Jawgator

Soak the guard in warm water (80°C / 176°F) for 1.5 minutes.
Cool it slightly so it's warm, not hot.
Place it in your mouth and gently bite down.
Immediately plunge into ice water.

That's it. If you mess up, just try again. Jawgator is made to be forgiving — because we know you're not a dental professional.

📚 Further Reading

“Need a guard engineered to mold easily without melting or shrinking? Check out the Jawgator Armour-Clad 2-Pack Bundle for $19.99 with free US shipping.”

5 Boil and Bite Mouthguard Mistakes (How to Fix a Loose Fit)