Fitting your OPRO mouthguard properly is essential for both comfort and protection. Whether you've got an Instant Custom-Fit, Gold, Silver, or Bronze mouthguard, this step-by-step guide will help you achieve a secure, comfortable fit at home.
The good news? OPRO mouthguards are remouldable, so if your first attempt isn't perfect, you can simply repeat the process until you're happy with the fit.
Peace of mind protection: Every OPRO mouthguard comes with a free 12-month Dental Warranty. Coverage varies by product – up to £20,000 for Instant Custom-Fit. Learn more about our Dental Warranty and terms.
Before You Start: Video Instructions Available
Prefer to watch rather than read? Each OPRO mouthguard comes with a QR code on the packaging that takes you directly to your product's fitting video. You can also access all our fitting videos here:
- Instant Custom-Fit fitting video
- Gold Level fitting video
- Silver Level fitting video
- Bronze Level fitting video
Looking for Night Guard instructions? Our OPRO Night Guard uses a different fitting process. Find the fitting guide here.
Which OPRO Mouthguard Do You Have?
Before you start, identify your mouthguard type. The fitting process varies slightly depending on which product you have:
| Product | Time in Hot Water | Equipment | Dental Warranty | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Custom-Fit (Adult, Youth, Braces) | 30 seconds | Compression cage (dual cage for adult) | Up to £20,000 | Premium dental-grade material |
| Gold Level (Adult, Youth, Braces) | 20 seconds | Compression cage | Up to £15,000 | Multi-layer with absorption zones |
| Silver Level (Adult, Youth) | 20 seconds | Compression cage | Up to £12,500 | Multi-layer protection |
| Bronze Level (Adult, Youth) | 20 seconds | Fitting handle | Up to £10,000 | Entry-level protection |
Critical: Using the incorrect time in hot water can damage your mouthguard. Make sure you know which product you have before starting.
What You Need to Fit Your Mouthguard
Gather everything before you begin – timing is crucial once you start:
Essential items (for all products):
- Ceramic bowl (not plastic or metal)
- Freshly boiled water
- Spoon (for removing mouthguard from water)
- Timer or stopwatch
- Mug of cold water
- Your OPRO mouthguard
Product-specific equipment (included with your mouthguard):
- Instant Custom-Fit Adult: Dual compression cage (black tray + white handle)
- Instant Custom-Fit Youth/Braces: Standard compression cage
- Gold & Silver: Compression cage
- Bronze: Fitting handle
Top tip: If using a compression cage, practise inserting it into your mouth a few times before you start (without the mouthguard). This helps you get comfortable with the motion and position, making the actual fitting much smoother.
How to Fit Your Instant Custom-Fit Mouthguard
Instant Custom-Fit is OPRO's premium range, using advanced dental-grade material that requires a slightly longer softening time than other products.
Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
- Fill your ceramic bowl with freshly boiled water
- Have your timer ready
- Place your cold water within easy reach
- Familiarise yourself with the compression cage (dual cage for adults has a black tray and white handle; youth and braces versions have a standard cage)
Important for adults: The dual compression cage has two parts. The black tray sits inside the white handle. Make sure they're properly assembled before you begin.
Step 2: Soften Your Mouthguard (30 Seconds)
- Pour the freshly boiled water into your ceramic bowl
- Immediately place the mouthguard in the water
- Start your timer – exactly 30 seconds
- Do not leave it in longer than 30 seconds, as this can damage the material
Why 30 seconds? Instant Custom-Fit uses a more advanced material than Bronze, Silver, and Gold ranges, requiring the extra time to soften properly for that dental-quality impression.
Step 3: Remove and Cool (10 Seconds)
- After exactly 30 seconds, use your spoon to carefully remove the mouthguard
- Turn it upside down immediately to drain any water
- Shake the mouthguard firmly for up to 10 seconds to remove excess water and cool it slightly
- You can give the fins a quick blow to help cool them
Safety first: The mouthguard will be hot. The shaking and cooling period is essential to bring it to a safe temperature.
Step 4: Fit Your Mouthguard
- Quickly place the mouthguard centrally in the compression cage
- Holding the handle, insert the cage with the mouthguard into your mouth (as you practiced earlier)
- Position the mouthguard centrally over your teeth
- Bite down hard for at least 30 seconds, preferably 60 seconds
- While biting, keep firm, even pressure across all your teeth
For dual compression cage (adults): Use the white handle to guide the black tray into position. The dual cage provides extra compression for a superior fit.
Important: Don't bite too hard or you may bite through the material (see troubleshooting below). Firm, even pressure is what you're after.
Step 5: Set Your Mouthguard
- Remove the mouthguard and compression cage from your mouth
- If they're stuck together, that's fine, you can leave them together
- Submerge the mouthguard in cold water for 30 seconds
- This sets the impression permanently
Step 6: Final Preparation
For best results, refrigerate your mouthguard for 15 minutes or leave it at room temperature for one hour before first use. This allows the material to fully set.
Your Instant Custom-Fit mouthguard is now ready to use.
Not happy with the fit? Remember, your mouthguard is remouldable. Simply repeat the process. See our troubleshooting section below if you're experiencing specific issues.
How to Fit Bronze, Silver and Gold Mouthguards
All Bronze, Silver, and Gold mouthguards use the same 20-second softening time. The main difference is the fitting equipment: Bronze uses a simple fitting handle, while Silver and Gold use a compression cage.
Quick Reference: Bronze vs Silver/Gold
| Feature | Bronze | Silver & Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Time in Hot Water | 20 seconds | 20 seconds |
| Equipment | Fitting handle | Compression cage |
| Fitting technique | Insert handle, bite + push lips/cheeks | Insert cage, bite down |
| Handle disposal | Discard after fitting | Cage is reusable |
Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
- Fill your ceramic bowl with freshly boiled water
- Have your timer ready
- Place your cold water within easy reach
- Bronze users: Insert the fitting handle into the holes in the front of your mouthguard (the word "top" should be visible when looking down)
- Silver/Gold users: Familiarise yourself with the compression cage by inserting it into your mouth a few times
Step 2: Soften Your Mouthguard (20 Seconds)
- Pour the freshly boiled water into your ceramic bowl
- Immediately place the mouthguard in the water
- Start your timer – exactly 20 seconds
- Do not leave it in longer than 20 seconds
Critical: Bronze, Silver, and Gold use a different material to Instant Custom-Fit. They only need 20 seconds. Leaving them in longer can damage the mouthguard.
Step 3: Remove and Cool (10 Seconds)
- After exactly 20 seconds, carefully remove the mouthguard using the handle (Bronze) or spoon (Silver/Gold)
- Turn it upside down to drain any water
- Shake firmly for up to 10 seconds to remove excess water and cool
- Give the fins a quick blow if needed
Step 4: Fit Your Mouthguard
Method 1: Bronze Level (Fitting Handle)
- Holding the handle, insert the mouthguard into your mouth
- Position it centrally over your teeth
- Bite down hard for at least 30 seconds, preferably 60 seconds
- While biting, push firmly on your lips and cheeks with your fingers
- This additional pressure helps mould the guard around the contours of your mouth
Why the lip and cheek pushing? Bronze's simpler design benefits from this manual shaping to achieve a snug fit.
Method 2: Silver & Gold (Compression Cage)
- Quickly place your mouthguard centrally in the compression cage
- Holding the handle, insert the cage with the mouthguard into your mouth (as you practiced)
- Position the mouthguard centrally over your teeth
- Bite down hard for at least 30 seconds, preferably 60 seconds
- Maintain firm, even pressure across all your teeth
No need for lip/cheek pushing with Silver and Gold – the compression cage does this work for you.
Step 5: Set Your Mouthguard
- Remove your mouthguard from your mouth
- Bronze users: Discard the fitting handle (you won't need it again)
- Silver/Gold users: The mouthguard can stay in the cage if stuck
- Submerge the mouthguard in cold water for 30 seconds
Step 6: Final Preparation
Refrigerate your mouthguard for 15 minutes or leave at room temperature for one hour before first use.
Your mouthguard is now ready to use.
How to Test If Your Mouthguard Fits Properly
A properly fitted mouthguard should:
✓ Stay in place when you open your mouth – it shouldn't fall out or drop down
✓ Feel secure without needing to clench your jaw to keep it in
✓ Allow normal breathing through your mouth
✓ Let you speak – you should be able to communicate clearly (though it will sound different)
✓ Feel comfortable – no sharp edges, no excessive pressure points, no gagging
Quick Fit Tests:
- The drop test: Open your mouth and relax your jaw. The mouthguard should stay in place.
- The talk test: Try saying a few sentences. You should be understandable (even if you sound a bit different).
- The breathe test: Take several deep breaths through your mouth. It shouldn't feel restrictive.
- The comfort test: Wear it for 5-10 minutes. There should be no sharp edges or painful pressure points.
If your mouthguard fails any of these tests, see the troubleshooting section below.
Common Mouthguard Fitting Problems (And How to Fix Them)
Mouthguard doesn't fit properly
Solution:
- Your OPRO mouthguard is remouldable. Try the fitting process again, paying careful attention to the timing and ensuring you bite down firmly for the full 60 seconds.
- Still not right? Contact our customer care team for expert advice. Our Precision-Fit Guarantee means we can provide a replacement mouthguard or a full refund.
Wearing braces?
Make sure you have a braces-specific mouthguard (Gold Braces or Instant Custom-Fit Braces). These are specially designed with extra material to fit around fixed braces. If you're unsure which product you have, contact our customer care team via our Precision-Fit Guarantee.
Not sure about sizing
- Our age ranges are for guidance: Youth is for under 10, Adult is for 10+.
Still Not Getting a Good Fit?
Remember: Your OPRO mouthguard is remouldable. You can repeat the fitting process until you achieve the perfect fit.
Need expert help? Our customer support team is here to assist. Through our Precision-Fit Guarantee, we offer:
- Fitting tips and tricks from our experts
- A replacement mouthguard if you need another attempt
- Full refund if we can't get it right
Your comfort and protection are our top priorities.
What to Do After Fitting Your Mouthguard
First use:
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes or leave at room temperature for 1 hour before wearing
- Wear it for a short practice session before match day
- Check the fit during activity – it should feel secure and comfortable
Regular care: Proper cleaning and maintenance will extend your mouthguard's life and keep it hygienic. Rinse your mouthguard with cool water after each use and clean it regularly with OPRO cleaning products.
Activate your warranty: If you purchased your mouthguard from somewhere other than opro.com, remember to register for your Dental Warranty to ensure you're covered. Purchases from opro.com are automatically enrolled.
Important: Your Dental Warranty is only valid when wearing a properly fitted OPRO mouthguard. Following the fitting instructions in this guide ensures you're fully protected.
When to replace: Even with excellent care, mouthguards wear out. Replace yours if you notice:
- Visible wear, tears, or holes
- Loss of shape or fit
- Discolouration that won't clean
- After any significant impact to the face or mouth
- Every 12 months for regular users
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remould my mouthguard multiple times? Yes! OPRO mouthguards can be remoulded several times if needed. Just repeat the fitting process.
What if I have braces? Choose a braces-specific model (available in Gold and Instant Custom-Fit). These are designed to accommodate braces. See fitting tips in the troubleshooting section above.
How long will my mouthguard last? With proper care, 12 months for regular users. Replace sooner if you notice wear or damage.
Is it dishwasher safe? No. Heat from dishwashers will damage your mouthguard. Clean with cool water and cleaning tablets.
What's covered under the dental warranty? Every OPRO mouthguard comes with a free 12-month Dental Warranty. Coverage varies by product – up to £20,000 for Instant Custom-Fit. Full terms, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Learn more.
- Instant Custom-Fit: Up to £20,000
- Gold Level: Up to £15,000
- Silver Level: Up to £12,500
- Bronze Level: Up to £10,000
- Snap-Fit: Up to £5,000
Bought from opro.com? You're automatically covered – no registration required.
Bought elsewhere? Register your mouthguard at opro.com/pages/dental-warranty to activate your warranty.
The warranty is valid for 12 months from purchase date. View full terms and conditions.
