Tips for Cleaning Your Sports Mouthguard

Our general dentistry office often supplies patients in the Houston, TX area with sports mouthguards. We recommend them for a variety of sports and activities to prevent damage to your mouth and teeth. They provide vital protection for your teeth, but what can happen if they aren’t kept clean? They can often cause cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss when not cared for properly. They can support a wide range of harmful bacteria when not often cared for. But what is the proper way to clean your sports mouthguard? Continue reading on to learn more about proper ways to clean your sports mouthguard.

• Scrub your mouthguard. The basic way to clean your mouthguard is to rinse it out with cold water after each use. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub out your mouthguard. It is also recommended to use toothpaste.
• Give it time to dry out. Allowing your sports mouthguard to dry out properly is essential in deterring bacteria.
• Cleaning orthodontic appliances and dentures. This requires using adequate cleaners or solutions. The durable materials made into mouthguards are safe to use in different soaking solutions including commercial cleansers. There are also cheaper homemade options including a bleach or vinegar based solutions. These help to remove debris and dental tartar from your mouthguard. Speak to your dentist before using any solutions to make sure they are safe for your situation.

Deodorizing your mouthguard is essential to keeping up with healthy oral hygiene and your smile. If you have any more questions or concerns regarding sports mouthguards, then we urge you to speak with Henry Bowman, DDS. Call our office today to set up your next dental exam and cleaning with our highly trained and trusted dentist.