Totally agree about the silicone mouthguards being easier to maintain. We switched over about a year ago, and it's been night and day compared to the plastic ones we used before. One thing I've noticed though—silicone can sometimes pick up odors if you're not careful. We've found soaking it in a mild denture cleaner once a week really helps keep it fresh...just something to keep in mind if anyone else notices that issue.
"We've found soaking it in a mild denture cleaner once a week really helps keep it fresh..."
Interesting, I actually tried the denture cleaner trick for a while but found it made my silicone guard feel oddly slimy afterward. Maybe I was using too much or soaking it too long? Anyway, I've had better luck just brushing it gently with baking soda paste every few days—no odors yet, and it feels cleaner to me. Could just be personal preference though...
I've actually had mixed results with both denture cleaner and baking soda. Denture cleaner did keep it fresh, but like you said, sometimes it left a weird residue that took extra rinsing to get rid of. Baking soda worked fine too, but I found it slightly abrasive after a while—my guard started looking cloudy and worn out faster than usual.
What I've settled on lately is just using a gentle, clear antibacterial soap (the kind you'd use for sensitive skin). I give it a quick scrub with a soft toothbrush every morning after taking it out. No weird textures or residues so far, and my current guard has lasted almost two years without discoloration or odors. Might be worth trying if you're noticing any wear from baking soda.
"Maybe I was using too much or soaking it too long?"
Could be the soaking time, honestly. When I used denture cleaner, I noticed anything longer than 10-15 minutes made the silicone feel off. Shorter soaks seemed better, but eventually I just switched methods altogether because of convenience.
Also, silicone quality probably matters too—my orthodontist mentioned cheaper guards tend to degrade quicker no matter how carefully you clean them. So if you're seeing issues consistently, maybe it's not just the cleaning method but the material itself? Just something to consider...
I've actually had mixed results with both denture cleaner and baking soda. Denture cleaner did keep it fresh, but like you said, sometimes it left a weird residue that took extra rinsing to get rid...
I've noticed the same thing about soaking times. When I used denture cleaner, anything over 10 mins made my guard feel strangely slimy afterward. Now I just stick with mild soap—less hassle and no weird residue. Maybe the simpler methods really are best...
I've had similar issues with denture cleaner leaving that weird film, and honestly, it made me worry if it was safe to keep using. Mild soap worked okay for me too, but I always wondered if it's really enough to kill germs? My dentist recommended diluted mouthwash, but even that sometimes felt too harsh. Now I'm just rinsing thoroughly with water and soap daily and doing a quick mouthwash soak once a week...seems alright so far, but who knows long-term?
