How To

How to Fit a Football Mouthpiece

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Seemingly insignificant in size compared to the rest of the football uniform, the tiny rubber football mouthpiece can prevent thousands of dollars of potential dental damage. It is important to ensure that it fits properly so that it can to its job. Here's how to fit your football mouthpiece so that it is comfortable and protects you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Water
Pot or microwaveable bowl

Step 1

Heat a pot of water or put water in a microwaveable bowl and heat it until warm. It is not necessary to bring it to a full boil. The goal is to have the water temperature hot enough to make the rubber mouthpiece more pliable but not too hot to melt it.
Step 2

Insert the mouthpiece in the water for about 15 seconds, depending on the water temperature.
Step 3

Take it out of the water. Make sure the mouthpiece is at a temperature where you can put it in your mouth without burning. If it is too hot, let it cool down just enough to allow you to insert it in your mouth without burning yourself.
Step 4

Fit the mouthpiece to your teeth and chew up and down several times quickly while the mouthpiece is still warm.
Step 5

Repeat Steps 2 through 4 until the mouthpiece comfortably and fits your dental structure.

Tips & Warnings

Mouthpieces are inexpensive. It is recommended to have more than one.
Make sure to clean the mouthpiece at least as often as you clean the rest of your uniform.
Temperature and timing is key. If the water is too hot and the mouthpiece stays in the water too long, you will have to start over again with a new mouthpiece.

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