Care guides › How to clean a mouthguard
Care guide
How to clean a mouthguard without ruining it
The 30-second routine our dental lab recommends, plus the weekly deep clean and the mistakes that warp a guard.
30 secDaily routine
2 minWeekly deep clean
LabRecommended
Why it matters
Clean guard, healthy mouth
Your mouthguard spends hours against your teeth, collecting bacteria, plaque and whatever was on the gym floor. A dirty guard can cause bad breath and gum irritation, and it wears out faster. Keeping it clean takes 30 seconds.
The short version
Do
- Rinse after every use
- Air dry completely
- Deep clean once a week
- Store in a vented case
Don’t
- No boiling water or dishwasher
- No bleach or alcohol
- No hot cars or direct sun
Every day
Daily routine
30 seconds
After every practice or game.
Tip
Sealing a wet guard in a closed case is how bacteria and mildew grow.
Step 1
Rinse
Rinse the guard under cool water.
Step 3
Shake off
Shake off any extra water.
Step 4
Air dry
Let it dry fully before it goes back in the case.
Tip
Sealing a wet guard in a closed case is how bacteria and mildew grow.
Once a week
Weekly deep clean
2 minutes
A quick soak keeps it fresh.
Note
Skip alcohol-based mouthwash soaks. Alcohol can degrade and discolor the material.
Step 1
Drop a tablet
Drop a cleaning tablet in a cup of cool water.
Cleaning Tablets (120ct)Coming soon
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Step 2
Soak
Add your guard and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 3
Rinse
Take it out and rinse with cool water.
Step 4
Dry
Shake off the water and let it air dry.
Note
Skip alcohol-based mouthwash soaks. Alcohol can degrade and discolor the material.
Avoid
Never use
These are the fastest ways to ruin a custom-fit guard.
Boiling water
Heat warps and thins the material.
Dishwasher
High heat deforms your guard.
Hot car or direct sun
Heat warps and weakens it.
Abrasive toothpaste
Micro-scratches give bacteria a home.
Bleach or alcohol
Degrades, discolors and weakens it.
Cleaning essentials
The right tools make it easy
Storage
Store it right
Where your guard sits between sessions matters as much as how you clean it.
Do
Always use a vented case
Air circulates so it dries fully between uses.
Don’t
Never loose in a gym bag
It collects bacteria and gets crushed.
Don’t
Keep it away from pets
Dogs love mouthguards, and a chewed guard cannot be repaired.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean my TRUFIT mouthguard?
Rinse it and give it a few sprays of cleaning spray after every use, let it air dry, and soak it with a cleaning tablet once a week.
Can I use denture or retainer cleaning tablets?
Yes, in cool water as the package says. They are a good weekly deep-clean option.
Can I soak it in mouthwash?
Skip alcohol-based mouthwash. Alcohol degrades and discolors the material over time.
Can I put a mouthguard in the dishwasher?
Never. Heat warps any mouthguard: dishwashers, boiling water and hot cars all do the same damage.
How often should I clean my mouthguard?
Rinse and spray after every use and do a tablet soak once a week.
My mouthguard smells even after cleaning. Now what?
Odor that survives a deep clean means bacteria are trapped in the material. It is time to replace the guard.
Do I need to clean the case too?
Yes. Wash the case weekly with soap and water and let it dry open, or it can re-contaminate the guard.
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