The Doctor's Night Guard Fitting Instructions

If you grind your teeth at night, or have problems with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), you may need to wear a night guard. This disorder can cause an achy jaw due to grinding of the teeth at night. The Doctor's brand night guards can be purchased at any drug store and many retailers, and the guards can be customized to fit your mouth perfectly. Once the night guard has been fitted, wearing it at night will prevent and relieve nighttime grinding that can lead to jaw pain and other symptoms of TMJ.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Clock with second hand or stop watch
• Large spoon
• Plate
• Mirror
• Sharp knife or razor blade

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Instructions

• 1

  Heat at least three inches of water in the pot until it reaches the boiling point. Keep the water boiling for another minute.

• 2

  Place the night guard into the boiling water, and leave it in there for exactly 50 seconds. Make sure the part of the night guard with the open part (that fits over your teeth) is face down in the water. Use the spoon to lift the night guard out of the water and lay it on the plate, with the channels facing up. Set your timer for 20 seconds.

• 3

  Put the night guard into your mouth after it has been sitting out of the water for exactly 20 seconds. Press your teeth as close to the plastic as possible to create the perfect fit. Hold the night guard in your mouth for 30 seconds. Make suction by closing your mouth and sucking air in, making the night guard fit as tightly as possible against your teeth and the roof of your mouth. Use your fingers to press the plastic on to the outside of your teeth.

• 4

  Test the night guard by removing it, waiting until it is cool and replacing it into your mouth. If it fits perfectly and stays where it should, you have successfully fit it to your mouth. If it doesn't feel right, it can be refitted by repeating the instructions. If the night guard seems too long and goes beyond your back molars, it can be trimmed with a sharp knife or razor blade. Once it is boiled again, it can be molded to your mouth again until the proper fit is achieved.