Five Brilliant Ways to Keep Your Mouthguard Clean
Mouthguards are a valuable tool to help treat a variety of conditions that may improve your sleep at night, including sleep apnea and bruxism. Even though a mouthguard isn’t the most attractive dental appliance, it can help avoid injuries and treat health issues that could have serious long-term effects. Some people use them to keep the top and bottom layers of their teeth apart while they sleep. This prevents teeth grinding and rubbing while they are asleep or under stressful or tense conditions.
Mouthguards are also made to protect athletes’ mouths from injury. Athletes wear mouthguards by placing them over their teeth to protect themselves from dental injury. Physical and high-contact sports like boxing, wrestling, MMA, basketball, football, rugby and hockey may necessitate the use of mouthguards.
Aside from the abovementioned strategies, one of the best ways to protect your mouth is to learn how to properly clean your mouthguard. Despite how great mouthguards are, if they are not properly maintained, they can serve as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Choose a cleaning method that gets rid of any bacteria on it to safeguard your oral health and avoid bad breath. The following methods are some of the best and easy ways to ensure that your mouthguard is kept clean. Some of these methods though are more effective than others depending on the condition of your mouthguard and the last time since you’ve cleaned it.
Toothpaste as a mouthguard cleaner
One of the easiest ways to keep your mouthguard clean or take care of your nightguard is to use your toothbrush. You need to use a different toothbrush than the one you use to brush your teeth. In doing so, you eliminate the risk of cross-contamination. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush and that you use a non-abrasive toothpaste. If you have a poor quality mouthguard, don’t be surprised if the abrasive toothpaste ends up scratching the device and wears it out faster.
Apply a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush and wet it with warm water. Toothpaste generally gives the mouthguard a deep, clean and fresh mint scent. Start scrubbing all surfaces of the mouthguard with the brush. Pay attention to all the nooks and crannies that may need additional brushing. After scrubbing all surfaces, rinse the mouthguard under warm running water. Place the mouthguard on some paper towels and let it air dry. Wait until the mouthguard is completely dry before storing it in its protective case, as humidity enables bacteria to grow.
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide as cleaning duo
The second method for thoroughly cleaning your mouthguard involves mixing vineyard and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a foaming liquid that is very effective in removing bacteria and grime. This product is also widely available, reasonably priced and incredibly effective at removing discoloration.
Place the mouthguard in a bowl, glass or other container that is both wide and deep enough to fit your device. Make sure that your mouthguard is completely submerged by taking enough distilled white vinegar. Soak the mouthguard in vinegar for half an hour. Rinse the mouthguard after soaking. Do not soak your mouthguard in extremely hot water as higher temperatures can warp the device. After that, leave the mouthguard in hydrogen peroxide to soak for an additional 30 minutes. It is very important that you avoid soaking the mouthguard for longer than 30 minutes in each of the two liquids, or the material may be damaged. Once done, rinse with water and let it completely dry.
Baking soda for cleaning
Baking soda is a great option if you don’t know what else to use in cleaning your mouthguard. Baking soda is perfect when your mouthguard has become filthy over time since it has the reputation of being able to remove stains and eliminate unpleasant odors. It is very affordable and easy to use.
Put baking soda and water in equal parts in a bowl and mix well to form a paste. Once you have made a proper mixture with a paste-like consistency, use a toothbrush to gently brush the mouthguard.
Denture cleaner for mouthguard
There are denture cleaners available over the counter that do an excellent job of ensuring that mouthguards are clean and prepared for use, without having to worry about bacteria and deposits. Majority of mouthguard cleaning products come in the form of effervescent tablets or powders which may be diluted in water to make a solution that thoroughly cleans.
Choose a mouthguard cleaner and purchase it. All you need to do is to put some water in the container and soak the mouthguard. Wait until the cleaner in the water has fully dissolved. After removing the mouthguard from the mixture, rinse it with warm water and place it on a clean towel. Let it dry completely for about 30 minutes.
Antibacterial soap as mouthguard cleaner
Most dentists advise using antibacterial soap to clean your mouthguard. While this isn’t the most effective choice, it works when you’re in a hurry. And the best part–it’s super cheap. This method is also a better option for frequent cleaning. You can also clean your mouthguard with other types of soap including dish soap or all-purpose Castille soap.
Pour warm water and a few drops of antibacterial dish soap to a small basin. Once the foam has formed, start cleaning the mouthguard with a toothbrush. Be sure to target every crevice for a thorough cleaning. Rinse the mouthguard under warm running water to remove the soap and soapy taste and smell.
Conclusion
Although properly cleaning your mouthguard may seem overwhelming at first, it shouldn’t be difficult once you get used to the routine. Do you have any queries about caring for your night guard? What is the best way to clean your new night guard? Do you have a preferred method in keeping your mouthguard clean? Be sure to follow these hygiene tips so you can avoid the risk of oral health issues. Get in touch with us at ClearClub if you need additional advice or have any questions about getting your own customized and comfortable mouthguard.