Wearing a mouthguard is important to prevent teeth from grinding. It is also used as a prevention of TMJ disorders.
Without mouthguards, sports events are incomplete, especially football, boxing, and hockey…you would not want to see your teeth flying out of your mouth.
How do you clean a mouthguard?
Cleaning the mouthguard is as important as cleaning your own teeth.
You cannot risk your dental health by wearing dirty mouthguards. The bacteria can be built upon the mouthguards and can destroy your oral health.
It can cause infection as well as bad breath and much more!
Let’s see how you can clean it at your home!
Easy cleaning:
What is the most common oral hygiene product?
Toothbrush and toothpaste!
Using non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean your mouth is the easiest way to keep your mouthguard safe.
Here’s how you can wash your mouthguard in less than five minutes:
- Rinse it with water.
- Apply some toothpaste on the brush, and gently scrub it.
- Keep it under the tap water to clean it.
- Leave it to air dry.
It is suggested to wash your mouthguard with toothpaste daily, twice.
Antibacterial wash:
And, how do you attain that hygiene level? It is impossible with regular toothpaste.
You can use antibacterial soap, dishwashing liquid, or alcohol-free soap to keep it safe from bacteria.
How to wash a mouthguard with soap water:
- Wash your mouthguard with water.
- Pour some liquid soap and brush gently.
- Brush it for 3-4 minutes.
- Now, put it under the water to get rid of suds.
- Let it air dry!
It is recommended to wash it with an antibacterial wash twice or thrice a week.
Bake your mouthguard?
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a key component in baking. But, no! We are not going to bake our mouthguard…
If you wash your mouthguard with baking soda, it will prevent bad odor and clean debris and food particles.
Here is how you can wash it with baking soda:
- Mix baking soda and water drops to make a paste in a non-metallic, clean bowl.
- Dip your toothbrush in the paste and gently brush the mouthguard.
- Leave it for 10-15 seconds to let the baking soda do its job!
- Rinse it with tap water.
- Air-dry the mouthguard.
You can wash it by using this method once every 15 days.
Natural exfoliating…
When it’s time to deep clean the mouthguard, only natural ingredients work!
Hydrogen peroxide or vinegar…
You can choose whichever natural ingredient is available easily.
How to wash using vinegar?
- Rinse your mouthguard with water.
- Add vinegar to fill half a glass.
- Put the mouthguard in the glass.
- Leave it for 30-35 minutes.
- Rinse it with water again.
And, how to wash using hydrogen peroxide?
Repeat the same method written above and replace vinegar with hydrogen peroxide.
All of these methods are tested. And, if you think you need a new mouthguard because the old one is not fitting well, contact our dentist in San Diego.
Schedule an Appointment 619-295-6500
