How To Clean Mouthguard? Step by Step Instructions

You brush your teeth twice a day. You floss. You see your dentist. But if you wear a mouthguard — for sports, for grinding your teeth at night, or for sleep apnea — you might be forgetting one of the most important steps in your oral care routine. A dirty mouthguard is more than just gross. It can be a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, and mold. The good news is that cleaning it is simple once you know the right steps. Here is the direct answer: Rinse your mouthguard with cool water immediately after each use. Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and a mild, non-abrasive soap. Soak it daily in a proper cleaning solution. Store it in a ventilated case that is clean and dry. Replace it as recommended by your dentist or manufacturer. That is the short version. Below is everything you need to know, backed by evidence and free from hype.

Why Does a Mouthguard Get So Dirty?

Your mouth is not a sterile environment. It is home to over 700 species of bacteria. When you wear a mouthguard, you trap saliva, food particles, and microorganisms against the plastic for hours at a time. The warm, moist environment inside your mouth and inside the storage case is perfect for microbes to grow.

Research published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that mouthguards can harbor bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. Yeast such as Candida albicans is also common. These organisms can cause bad breath, gum irritation, and even infections. If you have a weakened immune system, the risks are higher. This is not about being paranoid. It is about understanding that a mouthguard needs the same hygiene attention as your toothbrush.

One non-obvious point: the type of material matters. Most boil-and-bite mouthguards are made from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). This material is porous. Microscopic pits and crevices form after repeated use and cleaning. Bacteria can hide in these spaces. This is why a soft brush and gentle cleaning are important — you do not want to create more scratches where bugs can hide.

How To Clean Mouthguard Step by Step

This is the core routine. Follow it every single day. Skipping a day is like not brushing your teeth that morning.

Step 1: Rinse immediately after removing. Hold the mouthguard under cool or lukewarm running water. Do not use hot water. Heat can warp the plastic and change the fit. A 10-second rinse removes loose saliva and debris.

Step 2: Brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Use a separate toothbrush from the one you use for your teeth. Apply a small amount of mild, non-abrasive liquid soap. Dish soap works well. Avoid toothpaste. Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch the surface. Scrub every surface — inside, outside, and the grooves. Rinse thoroughly afterward.

Step 3: Soak daily in a cleaning solution. This is the step most people skip. Daily soaking kills microbes that brushing alone misses. You have several options here. A commercial mouthguard cleaning tablet dissolved in water is effective and convenient. Polident or Efferdent denture cleaners work well. The American Dental Association has stated that denture cleaners are safe for mouthguards. Soak for the time listed on the product instructions — usually 5 to 15 minutes. Rinse again before putting the mouthguard back in your mouth.

Step 4: Store properly. Place the mouthguard in a clean, ventilated case. Do not snap it shut while it is still wet. Moisture trapped in a closed case is an invitation for mold. Let the mouthguard air dry on a clean towel for a few minutes before storing. Wash the case itself once a week with soap and water.

Step 5: Deep clean weekly. Once a week, do a longer soak. White vinegar diluted with water (one part vinegar to three parts water) for 30 minutes is a natural option. Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution) for 30 minutes is another effective choice. Both are backed by evidence as antimicrobial agents. Rinse thoroughly after any soak.

What Not to Use on Your Mouthguard

Some common cleaning methods do more harm than good. Avoid these.

Bleach. Bleach is too harsh. It can degrade the plastic and leave a chemical residue that you will swallow. The CDC does not recommend bleach for cleaning mouthguards.

Alcohol or mouthwash with alcohol. Alcohol can dry out and crack the EVA material over time. Some mouthwashes are safe in a pinch, but they are not designed for daily soaking. Stick to products made for dental appliances.

Boiling water. This will ruin the fit of your mouthguard. Even a few seconds in boiling water can cause permanent warping. Stick to cool or lukewarm water only.

Dishwashers. The heat and detergent in a dishwasher will damage the mouthguard. Do not put it in the dishwasher no matter what you have heard online.

Toothpaste. This one deserves repeating. Toothpaste is abrasive. It contains silica and other particles meant to scrub stains off teeth. Those same particles scratch the surface of your mouthguard, creating grooves where bacteria hide. A study in the Journal of Prosthodontics found that toothpaste caused more surface roughness on dental appliances than mild soap.

How Often Should You Replace Your Mouthguard?

No mouthguard lasts forever. Even with perfect cleaning, the material wears down. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends replacing sports mouthguards every season. For night guards used for teeth grinding, most dentists suggest replacement every one to three years.

Signs it is time for a new one include visible cracks, tears, or a loose fit. If the mouthguard no longer stays in place, it is not protecting you. If you notice a persistent bad smell that does not go away after a deep clean, that is a sign of microbial growth deep in the material. Replace it.

One clarification: custom-fitted mouthguards made by a dentist cost more but last longer. They are made from higher-quality materials that resist wear better than store-bought boil-and-bite options. If you grind your teeth heavily, a custom guard may need replacement sooner because of the force of clenching. Your dentist can tell you what is normal for your specific case.

Comparison of Mouthguard Cleaning Methods

Common Misconceptions About Mouthguard Cleaning

There is a lot of bad advice online. Here are three myths that need correcting.

Myth: “Just rinsing with water is enough.” Rinsing removes loose debris but does not kill bacteria or yeast. Biofilms — communities of microorganisms attached to a surface — form on mouthguards within hours. Water alone cannot break these down. You need a cleaning agent, whether that is soap, a tablet, or a vinegar soak.

Myth: “You can use the same cleaning method for every type of mouthguard.” This is only partly true. Most mouthguards are EVA plastic, but some are made from acrylic or silicone. Acrylic guards, often used for sleep apnea, can crack if soaked in alcohol. Silicone guards are more resistant to heat but can still warp. Check with your dentist or the manufacturer for specific care instructions for your guard.

Myth: “A dirty mouthguard is no big deal.” This is false. A study in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that athletes who did not clean their mouthguards had higher levels of oral bacteria. In rare cases, bacteria from a dirty mouthguard can enter the bloodstream through small cuts in the gums. For most healthy people, this is not a crisis. But for anyone with a heart condition or a compromised immune system, it is a real risk worth avoiding.

What About UV Sanitizers or Ultrasonic Cleaners?

You may have seen UV light sanitizers or ultrasonic cleaners marketed for mouthguards. Do they work? Some evidence suggests yes, with caveats.

UV sanitizers use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses. A study in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that UV light reduced bacterial counts on dental retainers. The catch is that UV light only works on surfaces it directly hits. If your mouthguard has deep grooves or a textured surface, some areas may not be exposed. UV sanitizers are a helpful addition to your routine but should not replace daily brushing and soaking.

Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to create tiny bubbles that dislodge debris. They are effective at removing surface grime. However, they do not kill bacteria on their own unless you add a cleaning solution. Some products combine ultrasonic cleaning with UV light. These are convenient but expensive. For most people, the manual method with soap and a soak is just as effective and costs nearly nothing.