How to Clean a Bite Guard

If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw in your sleep, you probably use a bite guard. Following a regular cleaning regimen will keep your bite guard in good repair and prevent harmful bacteria from growing on it. For daily cleanings, you can brush the bite guard with baking soda and/or clean it with soap and water. Once a week, you should deep clean a completely plastic bite guard with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. If it contains metal, deep clean with a denture or retainer cleaner.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Soap and Water

  1. Image titled Clean a Mouth Guard Step 8
    1
    Rinse the bite guard. Do this immediately after taking the guard out of your mouth. Turn on the tap and let the water run until it feels lukewarm. Run the bite guard under the water to loosen debris and plaque.[1]
  2. Image titled Clean a Mouth Guard Step 2
    2
    Apply a small squirt of liquid soap. This can be hand soap or dish soap. Work the soap across the surface and in the hollow areas. If you don't have liquid soap, work bar soap into a lather. Smear the suds across the surface.[2]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Clean a Mouth Guard Step 1
    3
    Brush the bite guard. Make sure the toothbrush has soft or ultra-soft bristles. Apply light pressure to avoid damaging the bite guard. Move in horizontal and vertical strokes. Clean both the outside surface and the hollow surface that touches your teeth. Rinse the bite guard with lukewarm water when you're finished.[3]
  4. Image titled Clean a Bite Guard Step 4
    4
    Dry the bite guard. Lay a clean towel on a flat surface. Place the bite guard hollow side-down on the towel. Let it air dry completely. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.[4]
  5. Image titled Clean a Mouth Guard Step 13
    5
    Put it back in its case. Do this once the bite guard is completely dry. Even the slightest dampness can cause fungus or bacteria to grow. After you replace the bite guard, make sure the case snaps closed. Leaving it out can expose it to ambient humidity, which can degrade the material.[5]
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Cleaning with Baking Soda Paste

  1. Image titled Clean a Mouth Guard Step 4
    1
    Rinse the bite guard. This step helps to loosen plaque and other oral debris. Do this immediately after taking the guard out of your mouth. Turn on the tap and let the water run until it feels lukewarm. Run the bite guard under the water.[6]
    • You can skip this step if you're using this method after a soap-and-water cleansing.
  2. Image titled Whiten Teeth with Natural Methods Step 2
    2
    Make a baking soda paste. Baking soda is the least abrasive anti-bacterial substance you can use for oral hygiene. Mix baking soda with water. Use 2/3 cups (185 g) for a long-term supply or a teaspoon (4.93 g) for a one-time test. Add water drop by drop and mix thoroughly until the baking soda becomes a paste.
    • It's best to avoid toothpaste for this method. Even toothpastes formulated for sensitive teeth can cause abrasions on flexible plastic. Abrasions provide hiding places for bacteria that can lead to oral infections.[7]
  3. Image titled Whiten Teeth with Natural Methods Step 3
    3
    Apply the paste with a toothbrush. Use only a brush with soft or ultra soft bristles. More abrasive bristles can wear down the plastic of the bite guard. You can use your regular toothbrush for this method, whether it's manual, electric, or battery-powered.
  4. Image titled Stop Snoring by Using an Anti Snoring Mouthpiece Step 23
    4
    Brush the bite guard. Use the same horizontal and/or vertical strokes you normally use to brush your teeth. Just apply less pressure. Brush the inside and outside of the bite guard. Make sure you clean the entire surface to kill harmful bacteria. Rinse the guard with warm water when you're finished brushing.
  5. Image titled Clean a Mouth Guard Step 11
    5
    Dry the bite guard. When the baking soda is completely rinsed off, lay the bite guard on a clean towel. Make sure the towel is on a flat surface to reduce the risk of the guard falling on the floor. Allow it to air dry for 15-30 minutes. Make sure it's completely dry before putting it back in its protective case.[8]
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Deep Cleaning with Vinegar and Peroxide

  1. Image titled Clean a Bite Guard Step 11
    1
    Place your bite guard in a glass or container. Any container wide enough to fit your bite guard will do. This can be an old hummus container, large coffee mug, or wide drinking glass. Make sure you can easily place your bite guard on the bottom of the container without forcing it in.
    • Avoid a metal container. The acid in the vinegar could corrode the container and leave deposits on your bite guard.[9]
  2. Image titled Make Fake Vomit Step 21
    2
    Soak your bite guard in vinegar. Pour enough white distilled vinegar into the container to cover the bite guard. Allow it to soak for 30 minutes. Set a timer, if necessary. When the 30 minutes is up, rinse the bite guard and the container with lukewarm water.[10]
  3. Image titled Deal With Dental Devices Step 11
    3
    Follow up with a hydrogen peroxide soak. Hydrogen peroxide will bleach discolorations out of the bite guard while neutralizing the vinegar taste. Use enough peroxide to submerge the bite guard. Let it soak for 30 minutes, setting a timer if you need to. When time is up, rinse the bite guard and the container with lukewarm water.[11]
    • Don't keep the bite guard in any liquid longer than an hour. Extended soaks can damage the material.[12]
  4. Image titled Clean a Bite Guard Step 14
    4
    Allow the bite guard to dry. Lay a clean towel on a flat surface. Then, place the bite guard on the towel. Lay it hollow side-down to allow the water to drain from the surface properly. This should take 15 to 30 minutes. Put the bite guard back in its case when it's completely dry.[13]
    5. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Deep Cleaning with Cleaning Tablets

  1. Image titled Clean a Mouth Guard Step 9
    1
    Purchase denture or retainer cleaner. These cleaners usually come in the form of cleaning tablets that dissolve in water. You can buy them over the counter in any drug store or big box store. If money is tight, opt for the denture cleaner.
  2. Image titled Make a Snow Globe With a Jar Step 2
    2
    Find a wide container. This can be any drinking glass, mug, or clean container. Use only plastic or glass vessels for this step. Make sure the container is wide enough to fit the bite guard without forcing it in.[14]
  3. Image titled Clean a Bite Guard Step 17
    3
    Immerse the bite guard in water. Drop the bite guard into the container. Use enough water to cover the bite guard completely. You can use lukewarm tap water or bottled water at room temperature.
  4. Image titled Add Vitamins to Water Step 5
    4
    Add the cleaner. Follow the directions on the package. In many cases, you can get a decent cleaning with one tablet. Allow the tablet to dissolve completely.[15]
  5. Image titled Clean a Mouth Guard Step 10
    5
    Soak the bite guard. Let it stay in the water/cleaner mixture for about 30 minutes or the recommended time on the package. Set a timer if you need to keep track. Don't let the bite guard soak for more than an hour. Rinse the guard with lukewarm water when the soak is finished.[16]
  6. Image titled Clean a Bite Guard Step 20
    6
    Let it dry. Lay a clean towel on a flat surface. When the cleaner is completely rinsed off, place the bite guard hollow side-down on the towel. Allow it to air dry for 15-30 minutes. Put the guard back in its case.[17]
    7. Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Soft or ultra soft toothbrush (manual, electric, or battery-operated)
  • Baking soda
  • Soap and water
  • White distilled vinegar (for all plastic bite guards)
  • Hydrogen peroxide (for all plastic bite guards)
  • Denture cleaner (for bite guards containing metal)

Warnings

  • Don't wash your bite guard in a dishwasher. Even if you use cool water, the pressure of the jets and abrasiveness of the detergent can ruin the bite guard.[18]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Clean Dentures
How to
Clean Dentures
How to
Sanitize a Toothbrush
Put on a Retainer
How to
Put on a Retainer
Suppress the Gag Reflex
How to
Suppress the Gag Reflex
Use Miswak
How to
Use Miswak
Gargle
How to
Gargle
Make Magic Mouthwash
How to
Make Magic Mouthwash
Clean Your Tongue Properly
How to
Clean Your Tongue Properly
Use a Tongue Scraper
How to
Use a Tongue Scraper
Apply Orajel
How to
Apply Orajel
FlossHow to Use Floss on Your Teeth
Clean a Waterpik
How to
Clean a Waterpik
Use a Waterpik Water Flosser
How to
Use a Waterpik Water Flosser
Remove Tartar
How to
Remove Tartar
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8nI5UOhIEQ
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8nI5UOhIEQ
  4. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  5. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  6. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  7. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  8. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  9. ↑ http://rossendental.com/whats-the-easiest-way-to-clean-my-retainer-or-nightguard
  1. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  2. ↑ http://rossendental.com/whats-the-easiest-way-to-clean-my-retainer-or-nightguard
  3. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  4. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  5. ↑ http://rossendental.com/whats-the-easiest-way-to-clean-my-retainer-or-nightguard
  6. ↑ www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ARxoMx2JEY
  7. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  8. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/
  9. ↑ https://riverrundentalspa.com/instructions-for-cleaning-your-night-guard/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 41,248 times.
13 votes - 92%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: February 1, 2023
Views: 41,248
Categories: Oral Hygiene
Advertisement