How to Clean a Sports Mouthguard

A sports mouthguard is probably the least-cleaned thing that regularly goes into someone's mouth. It spends its life in a gym bag, gets rinsed at the drinking fountain, and is put back in the next day. A short routine makes it safe and keeps it from smelling.

After every use

Rinse the mouthguard under cool water as soon as practice or the game ends. If you can, brush it with a soft toothbrush and plain water. Let it air dry before it goes into its case. A ventilated case is best, and the mouthguard should never go loose into a bag.

Once a week

Deep clean it. Soak the mouthguard in warm water with one of our retainer cleaner tablets, or run it through an ultrasonic retainer cleaner. Mouthguards are thick and textured, and a soak or ultrasonic cycle reaches the grooves a brush does not.

What to avoid

• Hot water, dishwashers and hot cars. Most mouthguards are made of a plastic that softens with heat and loses its shape.
• Toothpaste, which scratches the surface and gives bacteria a place to hold on.
• Sharing a mouthguard.
• Chewing on it, which creates tears that trap debris.

Check it regularly

Look for tears, thin spots or a loose fit. A damaged mouthguard protects less and is harder to keep clean. Young athletes often outgrow a mouthguard within a season, so check the fit at the start of each one.

This article is general care information and is not medical advice. Follow the instructions from your dentist, orthodontist or the maker of your appliance.