How Do You Clean a Mouthguard?

Cleaning your mouthguard can help prolong its longevity, not to mention make it more pleasant to wear, as no one wants to wear a smelly mouthguard. In this guide, we’ll explain three different ways to clean your boil and bite mouthguard and offer more tips for keeping your mouthguard in tip-top shape. 

Featured Cleaning Product: Mouthguard Cleaning Spray

How to Clean a Mouthguard: Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Yes, you can clean your mouthguard just like you clean your teeth. We recommend using a clean toothbrush just for your mouthguard to reduce the chances of cross contamination. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a non-abrasive toothpaste to prevent scratching the guard or otherwise damaging it.

1. Wash your hands before handling the mouthguard.
2. Rinse the mouthguard off in cool water to remove any debris.
3. Put a small amount of toothpaste on the mouthguard.
4. Brush the mouthguard slowly and carefully; be sure to get both sides.
5. Rinse off the toothpaste using cool water.
6. Let the mouthguard air dry before closing it back up in the case.

How to Clean a Mouthguard: Soap and Water

If you want to take the cleaning to the next level, you can replace the toothbrush with soap. Be sure to choose a body-safe soap — so, no harsh chemicals — and avoid soaps with capsules or any other texture that could potentially be abrasive. Liquid hand soap that is free of dyes or fragrances is an excellent choice.

1. Wash your hands before handling the mouthguard.
2. Rinse the mouthguard off in cool water to remove any debris.
3. Put a small amount of liquid soap on the mouthguard.
4. Brush the mouthguard slowly and carefully until the soap foams up; be sure to get both sides.
5. Rinse off the soap completely using cool water.
6. Let the mouthguard air dry before closing it back up in the case.

By ewapee / Shutterstock.com

How to Clean a Mouthguard: Mouthwash

Mouthwash eliminates bacteria in your mouth, which also makes it a great option for cleaning your mouthguard. Choose an alcohol-free mouthguard since alcohol could potentially dry out or damage the plastic of your mouthguard.

1. Wash your hands before handling the mouthguard.
2. Rinse the mouthguard off in cool water to remove any debris.
3. Get a clean glass or bowl and pour a capful of mouthwash into it.
4. Add clean water to the glass until there is enough liquid to completely cover the mouthguard.
5. Soak the mouthguard for 30 minutes.
6. Rinse off the mouthwash using cool water.
7. Let the mouthguard air dry before closing it back up in the case.

How to Clean a Mouthguard: Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar

Sometimes your mouthguard needs more of a deep clean, and that’s where hydrogen peroxide and vinegar come in. This cleaning method is especially useful if you notice hard water deposits on your mouthguard; the vinegar will help dissolve those and have your mouthguard looking as good as new.

1. Wash your hands before handling the mouthguard.
2. Rinse the mouthguard off in cool water to remove any debris.
3. Get a clean glass or bowl, place the mouthguard in it and fill it with enough white vinegar to cover the mouthguard.
4. Leave the mouthguard to soak in the vinegar for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the mouthguard, dump the vinegar and rinse both the mouthguard and the glass.
6. Place the mouthguard back in the glass and fill it with enough hydrogen peroxide to cover the mouthguard.
7. Leave the mouthguard to soak in the hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes.
8. Remove the mouthguard, dump the hydrogen peroxide and rinse both the mouthguard and the glass.
9. Let the mouthguard air dry before closing it back up in the case.

By shutter_o / Shutterstock 

Other Tips for Cleaning Your Mouthguard

Here are our other top tips for cleaning a mouthguard:

• The first three methods we outlined above (toothpaste, soap, and mouthwash) are gentle enough to use daily or whenever you wear your mouthguard. You should do a deep cleaning at least once a month using hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.
• Using a mouthguard cleaner spray before and after each wear can reduce bacteria and keep your mouth clean and fresh-smelling between wears.
• If you want to, you can also try using an over-the-counter denture cleaner. Keep in mind that these cleaners can contain chemicals, dyes and/or fragrances that may be irritating to your mouth. Always follow the package instructions for cleaning your mouthguard.
• Some places recommend using baking soda to give your mouthguard a deep clean. While baking soda is an all-natural cleaning agent, you do need to be careful of its abrasive texture, which can potentially damage the surface of the mouthguard, depending on what material it is made out of.

Ready to join the mouthguard revolution? At GuardLab, we sell a variety of mouthguards, including DIY mouthguards that you design yourself, and they are all proudly made in the USA. Order more than $50 and get free standard shipping on your order!