How to Clean a Sports Mouthguard

• Rinse your sports mouthguard after every use with cool water to remove saliva, debris, and buildup before storing it
• Give your mouthguard a deeper clean regularly by gently brushing it or using a cleaning tablet, and consider an ultrasonic cleaner if the mouthguard is compatible
• Keep your sports mouthguard clean, dry, and properly stored by avoiding heat and harsh chemicals, letting it dry completely, and storing it in a clean, ventilated case

Your sports mouthguard, sometimes called an athletic mouthguard, is simple protective gear, but it takes a beating during practices and games—and not just from impact. Every time you wear it, saliva and other buildup from your mouth can collect on its surface. If you toss it straight into its case afterward, that buildup goes right along with it.

The good news? Cleaning a sports mouthguard doesn't have to be complicated. Rinse it as soon as you take it out, give it a more thorough cleaning when you get to a sink, let it dry, and store your mouthguard properly. Here's how to build the habit of cleaning your sports mouthguard so it actually sticks.

As one of the most-used protective devices in your gym bag, a sports mouthguard spends a lot of time in your mouth during practices, games, workouts, and competitions. Sticky saliva proteins can collect on the surface while you're wearing it, which is one reason cleaning it after every use matters.

When you're short on time, a quick rinse makes a meaningful difference. In one study of sports mouthguards, rinsing with cold tap water after use removed about 91% of deposited salivary proteins. Cleaning with an effervescent cleaning tablet removed about 99%.

That makes the easiest habit one of the most important: When the mouthguard comes out, rinse it.

Do not wait until you get home if you have access to water. Rinsing immediately helps remove saliva and loose buildup before it has more time to sit on the mouthguard.

Regular cleaning can also help prevent the mouthguard from developing a stale smell and gross buildup that can make putting it back in your mouth less appealing, not to mention it may contribute to bad breath.

And if you’re one of those whose current routine is mouthguard out, mouthguard directly into a gym bag, this is the habit to change first.

You don't need an elaborate cleaning routine after every practice. What matters most is doing a few basic steps consistently.

Hold the mouthguard under cool running water and rinse both sides thoroughly to eliminate any debris left behind after practice.

The American Dental Association recommends rinsing sports mouthguards before and after use, and research shows that even a cold-water rinse can remove much of the salivary protein left behind after wearing one.

Think of this as the right-after-practice step. Even if you're nowhere near your toothbrush or cleaning supplies yet, you can usually rinse the mouthguard before packing it away.

Once you're home or somewhere you can properly clean it, you have a couple of easy options.

The ADA specifically includes brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste as one way to clean a sports mouthguard.

Or, for a deeper clean, soak your sports mouthguard with a  PUL Cleaning Tablet, then brush and rinse it thoroughly.

Effervescent cleaning tablets can clean beyond what a quick water rinse accomplishes. In research specifically involving sports mouthguards, an effervescent tablet removed more deposited salivary proteins than rinsing with cold water alone.

That makes cleaning tablets especially useful for proper cleaning when your mouthguard needs more than its usual post-practice rinse.

Most sports mouthguards are suitable for ultrasonic cleaning (check your manufacturer’s instructions first), so you can also place it in an ultrasonic cleaner for a deeper clean.

Add a PUL Cleaning Tablet to the cleaning solution to combine the ultrasonic cleaning cycle with an effervescent clean. This can be a useful option when your mouthguard needs a more thorough refresh than brushing alone.

After the cleaning cycle, rinse the mouthguard before storing.

Once the mouthguard is clean, don't immediately seal it inside its case while it's still dripping wet.

Towel-dry it with a clean towel or leave it out to air-dry before storing it. The ADA recommends keeping sports mouthguards clean and dry between games and using a ventilated storage container that allows drying.

Avoid soaking your mouthguard in hot water or leaving it somewhere that gets very hot. The ADA specifically recommends keeping mouthguards out of hot water and direct sunlight.

That means the dashboard of a hot car isn't a good storage spot either.

It's also smart to avoid aggressive cleaning methods, such as putting them in a dishwasher or harsh chemicals like household bleach, rubbing alcohol, household disinfectant sprays/wipes, or strong concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Stick with cleaning methods intended for oral appliances.

Cleaning your sports mouthguard is only half of the routine. Where it goes after you clean it matters too.

Once your mouthguard is clean, thoroughly towel-dry or air-dry it before placing it in its  protective case  .The important step is making sure the mouthguard is as dry as possible before you close the case, rather than putting it away while it’s still damp. Keep the case somewhere protected from excessive heat and direct sunlight, which can affect the mouthguard material.

And don't forget about the mouthguard case itself. If a clean mouthguard keeps going back into a case filled with old saliva and buildup, you're missing part of the routine. Clean the case regularly with soap and water, and dry thoroughly.

For athletes who carry their mouthguard in a backpack or sports equipment bag, the easiest routine is:

• Rinse sports mouthguard > Case > Clean sportsguard with brush or cleaning tablets > rinse > dry > case.

Not:

• Take it out > throw it in the bag > rediscover it before the next game

It's also worth taking time to periodically monitor the condition of your mouthguard, checking for tears, worn areas, changes in shape, or a fit that no longer feels right. The ADA recommends replacing a sports mouthguard when it becomes worn, damaged, or ill - fitting. Children and teens may need replacement more frequently because their mouths are still growing and changing. If you're ever unsure whether it still fits properly, your dentist can help.

The easiest mouthguard routine starts before you ever put the mouthguard in.

Brush and  floss  as part of your normal oral hygiene routine so you're starting with cleaner teeth instead of trapping leftover food particles and plaque underneath an appliance you'll be wearing through practice or a game. Then make mouthguard cleaning part of your post-sports routine:

• After every use: Rinse the mouthguard with cool water as soon as you take it out.
• When you get to a sink: Brush it with toothpaste or soak it with PUL Cleaning Tablet to help kill bacteria, then brush and rinse thoroughly.
• When it needs a deeper clean: Use a cleaning tablet or, if your sports mouthguard is suitable for ultrasonic cleaning, clean it in an ultrasonic cleaner and add a cleaning tablet for an extra clean, fresh finish.
• Before storing it: Towel-dry or air-dry the mouthguard and place it in a clean, ventilated protective case.
• Before your next practice or game: Give it another quick rinse before putting it in.

Mouthguard care doesn't need to become another complicated part of your day. A rinse after use, regular deeper cleaning, proper drying, and a clean storage case go a long way toward keeping the mouthguard you're putting back into your mouth cleaner, fresher, and ready to protect teeth – all while also prolonging the life of the mouthguard itself.

And since PUL Cleaning Tablets aren't just for clear aligners, keeping a few with the rest of your sports gear makes it easy to give your mouthguard the same deeper clean you'd give the other removable appliances you wear in your mouth.