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									Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards - Dental Patient Forum Forum				            </title>
            <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/</link>
            <description>Dental Patient Forum Discussion Board</description>
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							                    <item>
                        <title>Best daily routine for cleaning and drying a night guard?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/best-daily-routine-for-cleaning-and-drying-a-night-guard/</link>
                        <pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:25:43 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I’m trying to set up a safe routine after overnight use without damaging the guard or trapping moisture in its case.

For a custom or boil-and-bite night guard, is it generally better to:

-...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[I’m trying to set up a safe routine after overnight use without damaging the guard or trapping moisture in its case.

For a custom or boil-and-bite night guard, is it generally better to:

- Rinse it with cool or lukewarm water immediately, then gently brush it with a separate soft toothbrush
- Use mild soap occasionally, or avoid soap entirely
- Let it air-dry fully before storing it in a ventilated case
- Clean the case regularly and keep it dry too

I’m unsure whether toothpaste, hot water, denture tablets, or an electric toothbrush could scratch or distort some materials. Does the recommended routine depend significantly on whether the guard is custom-made or boil-and-bite?

Also, what signs suggest cleaning isn’t enough? I’m thinking of a persistent smell, cloudy film, discoloration, residue that won’t rinse away, cracks, or a change in fit. Would those call for a replacement, or is it better to have a dentist inspect the guard first?]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>Brightspecialist210</dc:creator>
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				                    <item>
                        <title>Did you know kids’ sports guards can help with more than just broken teeth?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/did-you-know-kids-sports-guards-can-help-with-more-than-just-broken-teeth/</link>
                        <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 22:10:00 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I read somewhere that wearing a mouthguard doesn’t just save your kid’s smile - it can even lower the risk of concussions. Not sure exactly how much, but apparently it cushions some of the i...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[I read somewhere that wearing a mouthguard doesn’t just save your kid’s smile - it can even lower the risk of concussions. Not sure exactly how much, but apparently it cushions some of the impact? My son’s hockey coach swears by them, though he always complains they feel weird. Anyone else heard about this or had kids actually benefit from it? Curious if there’s any real science behind it or if it’s mostly just peace of mind for parents.]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>gfluffy93</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/did-you-know-kids-sports-guards-can-help-with-more-than-just-broken-teeth/</guid>
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                        <title>How often do you actually swap out your night guard?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/how-often-do-you-actually-swap-out-your-night-guard/</link>
                        <pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:27:10 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Curious if people are replacing theirs every year or just hanging on till it falls apart. Mine’s a bit yellow but still hanging in there… is that gross? What’s everyone else doing?]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Curious if people are replacing theirs every year or just hanging on till it falls apart. Mine’s a bit yellow but still hanging in there… is that gross? What’s everyone else doing?]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>amanda_davis</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/how-often-do-you-actually-swap-out-your-night-guard/</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>Custom night guards vs. store-bought: which actually helps your teeth more?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/custom-night-guards-vs-store-bought-which-actually-helps-your-teeth-more/</link>
                        <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:03:23 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Has anyone else here tried both custom night guards from the dentist and those over-the-counter boil-and-bite ones? I started grinding my teeth like crazy last year (stress, maybe?), and my ...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Has anyone else here tried both custom night guards from the dentist and those over-the-counter boil-and-bite ones? I started grinding my teeth like crazy last year (stress, maybe?), and my dentist suggested a custom guard. Not gonna lie, the price tag made me wince. I ended up buying a store one first, just to see if it’d help at all.

The thing is, the store version was kinda bulky and I kept waking up with it half out of my mouth or drooling everywhere. But it did seem to stop me from waking up with sore jaws in the morning, so that’s something. Still, after a few months, I caved and got the custom one - and it actually fits way better and doesn’t bug me as much while I’m sleeping.

I’m still not 100% sure if it’s worth the cost difference though? Like, does it really make that big of a difference for your oral health long-term? My dentist said the custom one protects my teeth from wearing down more, but honestly both options seem to do *something*.

Kinda curious - has anyone stuck with the store-bought kind long-term? Or maybe you’ve tried both too? Wondering if I should just keep using my custom or if people have had decent luck just swapping out the cheap ones every few months. What’s worked best for you (and your wallet)?]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>duke_turner</dc:creator>
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                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>Which Feels Better: Custom Vs. Boil-And-Bite Mouthguards?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/which-feels-better-custom-vs-boil-and-bite-mouthguards/</link>
                        <pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:45:15 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I&#039;ve tried both the custom mouthguard from my dentist and the cheaper boil-and-bite ones from the drugstore. Honestly, the custom one fits way better (no surprise), but it&#039;s also pricier. Th...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[I've tried both the custom mouthguard from my dentist and the cheaper boil-and-bite ones from the drugstore. Honestly, the custom one fits way better (no surprise), but it's also pricier. The boil-and-bite was kind of bulky and made me drool a bit more, lol. But for sports, maybe that's not a big deal? Curious which type people actually prefer for comfort and sleep, and if the extra cost really feels worth it to you?]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>fitness_richard</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/which-feels-better-custom-vs-boil-and-bite-mouthguards/</guid>
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                        <title>Why does every night guard feel like a mouthful of plastic?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/why-does-every-night-guard-feel-like-a-mouthful-of-plastic/</link>
                        <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 03:34:11 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Is it just me, or do those night guards always feel way bulkier than they should? I’ve tried the dentist one and a couple boil-and-bite types, and I swear I wake up feeling like I’ve been ch...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Is it just me, or do those night guards always feel way bulkier than they should? I’ve tried the dentist one and a couple boil-and-bite types, and I swear I wake up feeling like I’ve been chewing on a shoe. Anyone else have this problem, or is my mouth just weirdly small?]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>jon_turner</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/why-does-every-night-guard-feel-like-a-mouthful-of-plastic/</guid>
                    </item>
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                        <title>Do your kids actually wear their sports mouthguards?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/do-your-kids-actually-wear-their-sports-mouthguards/</link>
                        <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:09:13 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Quick poll for the parents: do your kids actually keep their mouthguards in during soccer, hockey, etc., or do they end up “forgetting” them half the time? I swear mine spends more time chew...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Quick poll for the parents: do your kids actually keep their mouthguards in during soccer, hockey, etc., or do they end up “forgetting” them half the time? I swear mine spends more time chewing on it than actually wearing it right. Is it just my kid, or is this a universal struggle? Curious what tricks (if any) work to get them to use it properly.]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>karen_woof</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/do-your-kids-actually-wear-their-sports-mouthguards/</guid>
                    </item>
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                        <title>How Long Does Your Mouthguard Usually Last?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/how-long-does-your-mouthguard-usually-last/</link>
                        <pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2025 20:22:34 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I&#039;ve been thinking lately about how quickly my mouthguards wear out. I don&#039;t know if it&#039;s just me being extra rough with them or if they&#039;re genuinely not made to last long. I do martial arts...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[I've been thinking lately about how quickly my mouthguards wear out. I don't know if it's just me being extra rough with them or if they're genuinely not made to last long. I do martial arts a couple times a week, and it seems like every few months I'm noticing little tears or thinning spots. I've tried a few brands, some pricey, some cheaper, but it always seems to happen eventually.

Um...maybe it's because I'm clenching my jaw too hard during sparring? Or maybe I'm not storing them properly (I admit, sometimes I toss it in the gym bag and forget about it til next session...oops). Anyway, figured I'd throw a quick poll up here to see where everyone else stands:

How often do you replace your mouthguard?
- Every few months
- About once a year
- Only when it's literally falling apart
- Replace? You're supposed to replace them?? &#x1f605;

Be honest! Curious if I'm the only one going through these things like candy.]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>cooking_kathy</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/how-long-does-your-mouthguard-usually-last/</guid>
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                        <title>Grinding teeth at night...what if you ignored it?</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/grinding-teeth-at-night-what-if-you-ignored-it/</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 15:08:24 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I&#039;ve been thinking about teeth grinding lately, mostly because my dentist mentioned it last visit. She suggested a night guard, but honestly, seems kinda uncomfortable to sleep with somethin...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[I've been thinking about teeth grinding lately, mostly because my dentist mentioned it last visit. She suggested a night guard, but honestly, seems kinda uncomfortable to sleep with something in your mouth every night. But then I wondered, um, what if I just ignored it? Like, would it really mess up my teeth or jaw over time? Has anyone here tried skipping the night guard thing and regretted it later? Curious how big a deal this actually is.]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>gaming_alex</dc:creator>
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                        <title>The Great Mouthguard Mystery: A Tale of the Vanishing Case</title>
                        <link>https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/the-great-mouthguard-mystery-a-tale-of-the-vanishing-case/</link>
                        <pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:25:24 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Okay, weird scenario: imagine you wake up one morning and your trusty mouthguard case has vanished into thin air. You swear it was on the nightstand last night, but now it&#039;s gone. No pets, n...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Okay, weird scenario: imagine you wake up one morning and your trusty mouthguard case has vanished into thin air. You swear it was on the nightstand last night, but now it's gone. No pets, no roommates (unless ghosts count?), just poof - gone. You're late, running around with a slobbery mouthguard in hand, desperately looking for something to store it in. What happens next?]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://www.dentalpatientforum.com/community/dental-night-guards-mouthguards/">Dental Night Guards &amp; Mouthguards</category>                        <dc:creator>climbing_jeff</dc:creator>
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