Mouth guards can serve many purposes as they help separate your top and bottom teeth. This way, it helps reduce teeth grinding and manage TMJ disorders. Moreover, people wear mouth guards to protect their teeth when playing sports like football. Mouth guards are pretty effective, but they can show problems if you don’t clean them regularly. We’ll mention how to clean mouth guard in this blog; keep reading to learn.
How to Clean Mouth Guard at Home
Also known as a night guard, this oral device goes in your mouth. Therefore, it’s crucial to be mindful of its cleanliness. Here are some ways to clean a mouth guard at home:
- Toothpaste
You can clean your mouth guard with toothpaste. To do so, rinse it in cool water first. Then, put a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the night guard. When you’re done, rinse it thoroughly and let it dry. - Soap & Water
You can use alcohol-free soap and a toothbrush to clean the mouth guard. You can use dish soap, castile soap, or antibacterial soap. The process is simple: After washing the night guard with cold water, apply soap and brush it until it is soapy. Remove all the suds by rinsing the appliance and letting it dry. - Baking Soda
You can remove the debris and reduce bad odor from your night guard by cleaning it with a baking soda paste. To make the paste, mix equal amounts of baking soda and water. After mixing, put it on a toothbrush and scrub the mouth guard. Once you’re done thoroughly cleaning the night guard, wash it with cold water and wait for it to dry. - Vinegar & Hydrogen Peroxide
If you want to clean your mouth guard deep, you can use vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Start by rinsing the mouth guard with cool water and putting it in a clean glass. Then, pour some vinegar and let the night guard sit in it for 30 minutes. When the time is up, rinse the glass and the mouth guard with cool water.It’s time to add hydrogen peroxide to the glass and wait another 30 minutes for it to work on the appliance. After 30 minutes, wash it with cool water and use it after it dries.
- Chemical Cleaners
You can clean the mouth guard by using chemical cleaners as well. They’re available in small packets and dissolve when added to water. All you have to do then is add the chemical powder or tablet to warm water and soak the mouth guard in the solution. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes, or as long as the packaging says. Then, rinse it with cool water. - Cleaner Solution
You can also get a cleaner to brush your mouth guard after soaking it in the chemical solution. Once you’ve soaked it long enough, run cold water over your mouth guard. Dip a toothbrush in the solution and scrub the mouth guard clean.
What’s Next?
You should clean your mouth guard regularly to avoid any oral issues. If you have any concerns regarding your mouth guard, contact Sair Dental Group at (832) 924-2666. You can also find our dental clinic at 8410 Fondren Road, Houston, TX 77074, and 10345 Club Creek Dr, Houston, TX 77036.