There are many types of mouthguards, each with a specific purpose. However, most mouth guards serve to stop a damaging habit (such as teeth grinding and clenching) or alter a condition that could be dangerous to your teeth and health (such as sleep apnea or TMDs)

If worn incorrectly, or are poorly fitting, a hard mouth guard could harm the enamel of your teeth. So if you feel your mouth guard placed or removed with difficulty, see your dentist for adjustments immediately.

Yes, you can, but it can cause staining of the appliance.  It is best to use dedicated soaking tablets that dissolve in water.  These can be easily purchased from any chemist or grocery store.

Soft mouth guards tend to invite more clenching and grinding, which is why some dentists don’t prefer them and use a hard acrylic mouthguard.

An impression of your teeth is taken (along with a bite registration if needed) and sent to the lab. The lab pours in the impression and mounts it on an articulator to simulate jaw movements. These casts are then used as a basis to form a mouth guard that is custom to the size of your teeth and mouth

Usually about a week or less from start to finish, and even less than that if a digital approach is used.