It’s important to keep your mouthguard clean for the sake of your oral health.
If you play any contact sport, it is a good idea to wear a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth from injury. Teeth are particularly prone to injury if you have braces, but even if your orthodontic treatment is complete, it’s a good idea to wear a mouthguard whenever you play a sport that puts your teeth at risk of potential damage. Custom-made mouthguards are very comfortable — to ensure that yours lasts and that you maintain your oral health whilst wearing one, it’s important that you keep it clean. Read on to find out how to keep your mouthguard in good condition…
Why is it important to clean your mouthguard?
When you wear your mouthguard, it comes into direct contact with your teeth. For this reason, it is very important that you keep your mouthguard clean. If you don’t wash your mouthguard, bacteria can build upon it over time, which can cause oral health issues like bad breath and infection.
How do you clean your mouthguard?
There are a number of ways in which you can clean your mouthguard at home. The first option is to brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Choose a non-abrasive toothpaste, and be sure to brush gently to avoid damaging your mouthguard.
If you prefer, you can wash your mouthguard with mild soap and cold water. Don’t use hot water, as this can cause your mouthguard to lose its shape. Another option for cleaning your mouthguard is to soak it in some diluted mouthwash — simply rinse your mouthguard with cold water, and then put in a glass with a capful of mouthwash and just enough water to cover it, and soak for around half an hour. Rinse with cold water again afterwards.
How often should you clean your mouthguard?
It is best to clean your mouthguard after every use. This will ensure that bacteria are not left to build up and help prevent bad breath and oral infection. Toothpaste, mild soap, mouthwash and water are all gentle enough to use daily if necessary. If you would like to give your mouthguard a deep clean once a month or so, you might consider using a stronger cleaning product such as a denture cleaner.
How else should you take care of your mouthguard?
To prevent damage to your mouthguard, it is a good idea to store it in its protective box when you are not using it. This will also help to ensure that its shape is maintained. Don’t wash or rinse your mouthguard with hot water, and don’t leave it on a hot surface — custom mouthguards are made from thermoplastic material and will soften and warp with heat.
How can we help?
At Smart Smile Orthodontics, we offer custom-made mouthguards designed for a comfortable and precise fit. If you have braces, we will take care to block out any areas where your teeth might be moving in the near future so that your mouthguard will last you for some time.
If you would like to have a custom mouthguard made, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We encourage all of our patients to protect their teeth from sports injuries.
Besides custom mouthguards, we offer a range of orthodontic treatments, including braces and clear aligners. For a full list of treatments that we offer, please have a look here.
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