Opro Silver Senior mouthguard - transparent

• A bowl of hot, not boiling, water
• A fork or spoon to lift it out
• A mirror

• Wash your hands and rinse the mouthguard
• Before you soak it, dry-fit it to see how the bite surface sits on your teeth
• Place the mouthguard in the hot water and let it soften
• Fit it onto your teeth and mould it around every tooth, molars included, not just the front ones
• Spread the material so it covers the full surface of your teeth
• Close your lips and sip air gently, the suction finishes the shaping

• Boiling water
• Leaving the back teeth uncovered
• Stretching the material too far, which creates oversized openings
• Sucking in air too hard, which leaves the fit uncomfortably tight
• Trimming it with scissors, which strips the mouthguard of its protective properties

Unlike SISU, standard mouthguards are moulded in boiling water. Always follow the instructions of the specific manufacturer, the procedures differ between brands.

• Soak it for as long as the manufacturer specifies, the material has to soften
• Cool it briefly in lukewarm water so you don't burn yourself
• Fit it on your upper teeth, bite down firmly and press your tongue against the roof of your mouth
• Press the material against your gums from the outside with your fingers
• Take it out and cool it in cold water, which sets the shape

• Rinse it with cold water as soon as you take it out of your mouth
• Clean it with a soft brush and soapy water or a mouthguard cleaner
• Let it dry completely before you put it away
• Store it in a vented case, not loose in your bag

• Hot water when cleaning, the mouthguard would lose its shape
• Abrasive toothpaste
• Dishwasher, steriliser, microwave
• Leaving it in the car or in the sun, heat will warp it
• Chewing on it outside training

• The guard has to cover the shin along its full length and must not rotate to the side
• The instep pad belongs on top of the instep, not under it
• Fasten the straps firmly, but not so tight that they restrict circulation

• Take them out of your bag and let them dry at room temperature
• Wipe the surface with a damp cloth, treat the inside with a gear spray
• Treat leather models with leather conditioner every two months
• Pull lint out of the velcro regularly, otherwise it stops holding

• Headgear must not shift when you move your head or narrow your field of vision
• The cheek pads sit on your cheekbones, not in your line of sight
• Tighten the chin strap so the headgear stays put on its own

• Wipe out the inside and let it dry outside your bag
• Wipe the surface with a damp cloth, sweat contains salt and salt damages the material
• Treat leather headgear with conditioner every two months
• Don't dry it on a radiator or in the sun, it damages both the material and the print

• The cup has to sit firmly and must not shift while you move
• Always take out a removable cup before washing
• Wash the fabric part after every session, at a low temperature and without fabric softener
• Wipe the cup with a damp cloth and let it dry

• Wipe them with a damp cloth after training and let them dry outside your bag
• Never put foam or shell components in the washing machine
• Check the straps regularly, on chest protectors they hold the whole thing in place

• Check the size every season, kids grow and gear that doesn't fit doesn't protect
• Always mould a child's mouthguard with an adult present
• With braces, check the procedure with an orthodontist
• Set up a routine after training, kids won't remember the care part on their own
• Put a moisture absorber in the bag, kids' gear stays in there the longest

• Washing machine and dryer for anything with foam, gel or a hard shell
• Drying on a radiator, in the sun or with a hairdryer
• Leaving gear in a closed bag overnight
• Storing it somewhere damp, in a garage or a basement
• Harsh cleaners and alcohol on leather and PU surfaces
• Sharing protective gear, and never sharing a mouthguard