1. Tightly roll one wet paper towel and firmly tuck it between the channels of the night guard to ensure the walls don’t fold in on themselves while heating in the microwave.

2. Wrap the night guard in another wet paper towel, place it on a microwave-safe plate (with the side walls facing upward), and microwave the night guard for 35 seconds.

Do NOT heat the night guard for more than 45 seconds. If you are unsure of microwave wattage, try 40 seconds. If the night guard is not soft, re-microwave for an additional 5 seconds.

3. Quickly and carefully remove the night guard from the microwave and unwrap the night guard, being careful not to collapse the soft walls. At this point, the night guard should have a consistency similar to gum or putty.

Caution: The paper towel will be hot! If the night guard feels too hot you can quickly rinse it under cool water.

4. To fit your night guard:
a. Place the night guard over your top teeth.

Braces girlies:
Do NOT press the night guard against your teeth or suck on the night guard. It will naturally form around the brackets and wires of your braces.

b. Before biting down:
i. Place your thumbs and index fingers in a pinching position and firmly press the night guard evenly against your teeth.

ii. Walk your fingers from front to back, forming an impression around each tooth.

iii. For an optimal fit, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and suck the air from the tray.

c. While biting down:
i. Firmly push the material against your teeth using your fingers. Press hard to force the material all the way around the outside wall of your teeth.

ii. Close your mouth and suck your lips against the night guard as it continues to form against your teeth. Continue to press over your lips with your fingers to form a teeth impression. Do this for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

1. Fill a pot with enough water so the night guard can be fully submerged without touching the bottom of the pot. Place the pot of water on the stove and heat to boiling.

2. Once the water has come to a boil, remove the pot from the heat and drop the night guard into the boiling water. Leave the night guard in the water for 10 seconds

3. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the night guard and dip it into a bowl of cold water, being careful not to collapse the side walls.

4. To fit your night guard:
a. Place the night guard over your top teeth.

Braces girlies:
Do NOT press the night guard against your teeth or suck on the night guard. It will naturally form around the brackets and wires of your braces.

b. Before biting down:
i. Place your thumbs and index fingers in a pinching position and firmly press the night guard evenly against your teeth.

ii. Walk your fingers from front to back, forming an impression around each tooth.

iii. For an optimal fit, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and suck the air from the tray.

c. While gently biting down to hold the night guard in place:
i. Firmly push the material against your teeth using your fingers. Press hard to force the material all the way around the outside wall of your teeth.

ii. Close your mouth and suck your lips against the night guard as it continues to form against your teeth. Continue to press over your lips with your fingers to form a teeth impression. Do this for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Before you start the fitting process, read all the directions and watch the instructional video for that extra confidence boost. You got this, girl!

Before heating, place the unmolded tray over your upper teeth. Practice placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth and sucking air from the tray. This is what allows your tray to form to your teeth when hot.

Use caution when handling the heated night guard. You don’t want to burn yourself or accidentally collapse the side wall channels.

Lightly sucking on your night guard while gently pressing and pinching it against your teeth will ensure a better fit.

Expect the night guard to feel somewhat loose for the first 24 hours. Once it has had time to cure, it will fit more snugly.

Patience is key! It could take up to one week to fully acclimate to sleeping with a dental night guard. The initial feelings of awkwardness and discomfort are completely normal– push through it!