{"id":359,"date":"2026-08-20T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/2026\/08\/20\/how-to-take-care-of-mouthguard\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T07:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T07:00:00","slug":"how-to-take-care-of-mouthguard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/2026\/08\/20\/how-to-take-care-of-mouthguard\/","title":{"rendered":"Take Care of What Takes Care of You: Your Mouthguard"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Whether you wear a mouthguard<\/a> for sports, to protect your teeth from nighttime grinding, or for another dental reason, taking care of it properly is essential. A clean, well-maintained mouthguard can be more comfortable to wear and may last longer. The best part is, caring for your mouthguard doesn’t have to be complicated! Here are a few tips to help you.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Clean Your Mouthguard After Every Use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the easiest ways to keep your mouthguard in good condition is to clean it every time you wear it. After removing it, rinse it thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water to remove saliva and debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can gently brush the mouthguard with a soft toothbrush. Avoid using hot water, which can potentially change the shape of some mouthguards. Unless your dentist or the manufacturer recommends it, don’t use abrasive toothpaste because it may scratch the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allow your mouthguard to air-dry completely before putting it into its case. Keeping it dry between uses can help discourage the growth of bacteria and unpleasant odors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store It in a Protective Case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you’re not wearing your mouthguard, keep it in a sturdy, ventilated case. A case protects the mouthguard from dirt, damage, and accidental contact with other objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t toss your mouthguard loosely into a gym bag, purse, or bathroom drawer. It could become contaminated or damaged. If you have a young child who wears a mouthguard, make sure they know where to store it after each use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean the case regularly, too. There’s little benefit to putting a clean mouthguard into a dirty container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep It Away from Heat and Pets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mouthguards can be damaged by excessive heat. Don’t leave yours in a hot car or rinse it with very hot water. Heat can cause some types of mouthguards to warp, making them uncomfortable or ineffective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also a good idea to keep your mouthguard away from pets. Dogs, in particular, may find the material tempting to chew. A damaged mouthguard may no longer provide adequate protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check It for Signs of Wear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inspect your mouthguard regularly for cracks, tears, holes, or significant changes in its shape. If it becomes damaged, it may not protect your teeth properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Custom mouthguards should also be checked during routine dental appointments. Your dentist can determine whether your mouthguard still fits correctly and whether it needs to be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that no mouthguard lasts forever. How often you need a replacement depends on the type of mouthguard, how frequently you use it, and whether you grind or clench your teeth. If your mouthguard becomes uncomfortable, damaged, or no longer fits properly, talk with your dentist about getting a replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. John Moneyhun<\/a>\u2019s mission is to provide the highest quality dental care in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere here in Landrum, SC. He earned his dental degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and continued learning at the world-renowned Dawson Academy. As a dentist who believes in conservative care, Dr. Moneyhun places much emphasis on preventive care. Whether you need a mouthguard or a routine checkup and cleaning, he\u2019d be proud to serve you. Schedule your appointment online<\/a> or call (864) 800-1691<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether you wear a mouthguard for sports, to protect your teeth from nighttime grinding, or for another dental reason, taking care of it properly is essential. A clean, well-maintained mouthguard can be more comfortable to wear and may last longer. The best part is, caring for your mouthguard doesn’t have to be complicated! Here are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=359"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.parksidedentalllc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}