How to Wash a Mouthguard: The Surprisingly Complex World of Keeping Your Dental Protection Clean

Athletes across every sport imaginable share a peculiar ritual that happens after practice ends and the lights dim. From high school wrestlers to professional boxers, from weekend warriors on the basketball court to dedicated martial artists, they all face the same unglamorous task: dealing with that saliva-soaked piece of plastic that just spent hours protecting their teeth. The mouthguard—that humble defender of dental integrity—demands more attention than most people realize, and the consequences of neglecting its care extend far beyond a funky smell in your gym bag.

The Microbial Battlefield in Your Mouth

Your mouthguard exists in a fascinating ecosystem. Every time you pop it in, you're introducing it to a complex community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that call your mouth home. Some estimates suggest over 700 different species of bacteria live in the human mouth, and your mouthguard becomes their temporary vacation home during every use.

I learned this lesson the hard way during my college rugby days. After weeks of halfhearted rinses under cold water, my mouthguard developed what I can only describe as its own personality—and not a pleasant one. The smell alone could clear a locker room. But beyond the social embarrassment, I discovered I was essentially cultivating a petri dish that I voluntarily inserted into my mouth several times a week.

The biofilm that forms on an unwashed mouthguard isn't just gross; it's potentially harmful. Streptococcus mutans, the primary culprit behind tooth decay, loves to colonize these surfaces. Add in Candida albicans (responsible for oral thrush) and various other opportunistic pathogens, and you've got a recipe for oral health disasters.

Water Temperature: The Great Debate

Here's where things get contentious in the mouthguard cleaning community (yes, that's apparently a thing). The temperature of water you use matters more than you'd think, and opinions vary wildly.

Cold water advocates argue that hot water can warp the plastic, especially for boil-and-bite mouthguards. They're not wrong—I've seen mouthguards come out of hot water looking like Salvador Dalí designed them. The plastic used in most consumer-grade mouthguards starts to soften around 140°F (60°C), which is cooler than many people's tap water gets.

But lukewarm water supporters make compelling points too. Slightly warm water (think baby bath temperature) helps dissolve saliva proteins and makes cleaning more effective without risking deformation. The key is finding that sweet spot—warm enough to clean effectively, cool enough to preserve the shape.

The Soap Opera: Choosing Your Cleaning Agent

Walking down the oral care aisle, you'll find dozens of products claiming to be perfect for mouthguard cleaning. The truth? Most of them are overkill, and some might actually damage your equipment.

Regular dish soap remains the unsung hero of mouthguard maintenance. A tiny drop of Dawn or similar mild detergent, worked into a lather with your fingers, breaks down proteins and oils without leaving harmful residues. The surfactants in dish soap are specifically designed to cut through organic matter—exactly what accumulates on your mouthguard.

Toothpaste seems logical but presents problems. Most toothpastes contain abrasives designed to polish tooth enamel. These same abrasives create micro-scratches on plastic surfaces, giving bacteria more places to hide. I made this mistake for years, wondering why my mouthguards always looked cloudy after a few months.

Some athletes swear by antibacterial mouthwashes, but here's the rub: many contain alcohol, which can dry out and crack certain plastics over time. If you go this route, choose alcohol-free varieties and don't soak for more than a few minutes.

The Technique: More Than Just Swishing Around

Proper mouthguard washing involves more finesse than most people realize. Start by rinsing under cool water to remove loose debris and saliva. Then, apply your chosen cleaning agent and use your fingers to gently scrub every surface. Pay special attention to the bite surfaces where your teeth make contact—these grooves trap the most bacteria.

The inside surface that touches your gums often gets neglected but needs equal attention. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush (designated specifically for this purpose—don't use your regular one) to reach into crevices and custom-molded areas.

Timing matters too. Clean your mouthguard immediately after use when proteins and bacteria haven't had time to form stubborn bonds with the plastic. Letting it sit in your gym bag for hours makes cleaning exponentially harder and less effective.

Deep Cleaning: The Weekly Ritual

Daily cleaning handles surface contamination, but weekly deep cleaning tackles the microscopic invaders that regular washing misses. Several methods work, each with pros and cons.

Denture cleaning tablets offer convenience and effectiveness. Drop your mouthguard in a glass with one tablet and cool water, let it fizz for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The effervescent action reaches places your fingers can't, and the antimicrobial agents kill most common oral pathogens.

A diluted bleach solution (one tablespoon per gallon of water) provides hospital-grade disinfection. Soak for no more than 10 minutes, then rinse obsessively—you don't want any bleach residue in your mouth. This method works brilliantly but requires careful handling and thorough rinsing.

Hydrogen peroxide solutions offer a middle ground—effective disinfection without the harshness of bleach. Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water, soak for 30 minutes, then rinse. The bubbling action helps lift debris while killing germs.

Storage: Where Your Mouthguard Spends Most of Its Life

Even the most meticulous cleaning routine fails if you store your mouthguard improperly. That plastic case isn't just for transportation—it's a crucial component of mouthguard hygiene.

Never store a wet mouthguard. Moisture creates ideal conditions for bacterial and fungal growth. After cleaning, shake off excess water and let it air dry completely before closing it in its case. Some cases have ventilation holes for this reason—use them.

The case itself needs regular cleaning too. Once a week, wash it with soap and hot water, then let it dry completely. I've seen cases that looked like science experiments because athletes never thought to clean them.

Avoid storing mouthguards in direct sunlight or hot cars. UV radiation and heat degrade plastic, making it brittle and more likely to harbor bacteria in stress cracks.

When Good Mouthguards Go Bad

Even with perfect care, mouthguards don't last forever. Most dental professionals recommend replacement every season for athletes in contact sports, or every six months for regular users. But several signs indicate earlier replacement might be necessary.

Persistent odor despite thorough cleaning suggests bacterial colonization has penetrated the plastic itself. Visible wear patterns, tears, or loose fit compromise protection and create bacterial hiding spots. Any color changes—yellowing, dark spots, or cloudiness—signal degradation.

The financial argument for proper care becomes clear when you consider replacement costs. Custom mouthguards from dentists can run hundreds of dollars. Even quality boil-and-bite models cost $20-50. Proper cleaning extends lifespan significantly, making that five-minute daily ritual a worthwhile investment.

Special Considerations for Different Types

Not all mouthguards are created equal, and cleaning methods should reflect these differences. Stock mouthguards—those one-size-fits-most models—typically use harder plastics that tolerate more aggressive cleaning. Custom-fitted guards from dentists often use softer, more expensive materials requiring gentler care.

Flavored mouthguards present unique challenges. The flavoring compounds can break down with certain cleaning agents, leaving you with a weird-tasting guard. Stick to mild soap and avoid anything with strong chemicals.

Braces-compatible mouthguards have additional nooks and crannies requiring extra attention. The channels designed to accommodate orthodontic hardware trap debris like nobody's business. A water flosser or oral irrigator helps blast out particles from these hard-to-reach areas.

The Psychology of Clean

Something interesting happens when you maintain your equipment properly—you actually use it more. I've noticed this pattern repeatedly: athletes with clean, well-maintained mouthguards wear them consistently, while those with funky guards find excuses to leave them in the locker.

This psychological component matters because mouthguard effectiveness depends entirely on actually wearing the thing. The best mouthguard in the world provides zero protection sitting in your gym bag because it smells like a dumpster.

Beyond Basic Hygiene

Advanced mouthguard care involves thinking beyond just cleanliness. Consider using antimicrobial cases that actively fight bacterial growth between uses. Some athletes apply a thin layer of coconut oil after cleaning—its natural antimicrobial properties provide ongoing protection, though scientific evidence remains limited.

UV sanitizers designed for oral appliances offer high-tech solutions for germophobes. These devices use ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms without chemicals or heat. They're probably overkill for most users but provide peace of mind for those sharing close quarters (think wrestling teams or martial arts dojos).

The Environmental Angle

Here's something rarely discussed: the environmental impact of mouthguard care. Those single-use cleaning wipes and disposable sanitizing solutions add up. Choosing reusable cleaning tools and biodegradable soaps makes a difference, especially when multiplied across millions of athletes worldwide.

Some forward-thinking companies now offer mouthguards made from more sustainable materials that break down better at end-of-life. While these still require the same cleaning regimen, at least they don't persist in landfills for centuries.

Final Thoughts on Mouthguard Maintenance

After years of trial, error, and more than a few disgusting mouthguards, I've come to appreciate the ritual of proper cleaning. It's a small act of self-care that pays dividends in oral health, athletic performance, and basic human dignity.

The process doesn't need to be complicated or time-consuming. A minute after each use, five minutes for weekly deep cleaning, and proper storage habits—that's all it takes to keep your mouthguard fresh and functional.

Your future self will thank you every time you confidently pop in that clean, odor-free mouthguard, ready to face whatever your sport throws at you. Because let's be honest—sports are tough enough without having to worry about what's growing on your protective equipment.

Authoritative Sources:

American Dental Association. "Mouthguards." MouthHealthy.org, American Dental Association, 2021, www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/m/mouthguards.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Oral Health Tips." CDC.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020, www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/tips.html.

Glass, R. T., et al. "The Contamination of Protective Mouthguards with Bacteria, Fungi, and Yeasts." Journal of the American Dental Association, vol. 142, no. 9, 2011, pp. 1053-1058.

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. "Oral Hygiene." NIDCR.nih.gov, National Institutes of Health, 2018, www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene.

Westerman, B., et al. "Microbiological Contamination of Mouthguards in Junior Rugby Players." British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 36, no. 2, 2002, pp. 141-144.