7 Ways to Clean a Mouth Guard
What are Mouthguards?
Mouthguards protect teeth and gums from injuries during sports, work, or other activities. They can also be made of plastic or rubber. A mouth guard is custom fitted to your mouth and fits over the upper teeth, cheeks, jawbone, and tongue.
The most common use for this type of device is the football mouthguard used when playing contact sports.
However, there are other versions, and they differ in design and condition. For example, if you are looking for TMJ mouth
guards, the customized type is the ideal option compared to mouthguards near you for broken teeth bought at the store.
How Can You Clean the Mouthguards?
1. Rinse the mouth guard in tap water.
To clean a mouth guard properly, you must rinse it with tap water. This will help remove any debris or bacteria on your equipment and make it easy for you to wear the mouthpiece. If you have access to lukewarm water, this can also be used for rinsing instead of plain old cool H2O (which is fine). Avoid using hot water because it can distort the design. Once you are done, dry them properly before wearing them or safely or storing them in cases.
2. Brush the mouth guard, but don’t use toothpaste.
It’s important to brush your mouth guard every day, but not with toothpaste. Toothpaste can damage the surface of rubber or vinyl materials, leading to cracks in the material and causing it to break down over time. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush—like one made specifically for children—to gently clean out any debris from between teeth and around bony areas like the cheeks and lips.
If you’re wearing braces at night when you sleep (or during school), be sure not to use hard bristles on yourself since these may scratch against those metal brackets when they’re removed during meals/drinks.
3. Soak the mouth guard in mouthwash.
Mouthwash is a great cleaning solution for your mouthguard because it kills bacteria and helps prevent bad breath. You can use this method as an alternative to denture cleaner if you’re not comfortable using it as a regular part of your oral hygiene routine.
Mouthwashes also remove mold from sports equipment such as hockey sticks or baseball.
Soaking the mouthguards is crucial to keep them moist and free of bacteria buildup.
4. Soak the mouth guard in a denture-cleaning solution.
The denture cleaning solution is a mixture of water and peroxide, killing germs and removing stains from your mouth guard. The mouthwash also prevents the accumulation of plaques. It’s important to clean your mouthguard after every use, so use this method as often as possible!
5. Boil, the mouth guard.
Boiling is a great way to clean your mouthguard, but this works for boil-and-bite mouthguards. The first step is boiling the mouth guard in a pot of water or microwave. Ensure you have enough water in your pot for all of your mouth guard, its flat bottom part, and any protrusions from its design.
Remove the piece, let it dry, and cool down before putting it back in the mouth.
6. Put it on the top rack.
You can put your mouthguard on the top rack. This is a good option if you’re not concerned about how long it will take for your mouth guard to dry and harden, as long as you aren’t putting it through an extreme amount of heat.
7. Use a store-bought solution designed for cleaning sports equipment.
Store-bought cleaners are a convenient and effective way to clean your mouth guard. These products can be purchased at any sporting goods store or online, and they come in different forms depending on what you need them for.
Also, visit a dentist in Fort Valley, GA, to check the condition of the mouthguards and repair or replace them where necessary.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Whitaker Family Dentistry for more information about mouthguards, their types, and how to care for them.