Those bite marks are like a badge of honor, honestly. It shows your kid’s actually using it and it’s protecting those teeth. I totally get the weird smell thing—skipping even one day makes mine funky too. I’ve found that letting it air dry (not in a closed case) helps a bit with that. And yeah, unscented soap is the way to go, scented stuff just makes it worse in my experience. Don’t stress about the wear—if it’s getting chewed up, it’s working!
If you’re seeing bite marks and wear after just a few months, that’s pretty normal for kids, especially if they grind or chew a lot. But if it’s getting deep grooves or holes, you might want to check the fit—is it custom or store-bought? Sometimes the over-the-counter ones break down faster. And about the smell, yeah, air drying helps, but have you tried soaking it in a denture cleaner once in a while? That usually knocks out the funk for me.
And about the smell, yeah, air drying helps, but have you tried soaking it in a denture cleaner once in a while? That usually knocks out the funk for me.
I’ve actually had the opposite experience with denture cleaners. Mine started to get a weird chalky film after a few soaks, and it felt rougher on my gums. I switched to just rinsing with cold water and using a toothbrush—seems to keep the smell down without any residue. Maybe it depends on the type of plastic? Custom guards seem to hold up better for me, too.
That chalky film is more common than folks realize, especially with over-the-counter guards. I usually recommend skipping the harsher cleaners if you’ve noticed that. Cold water and a soft brush are honestly underrated—simple, but effective. And yeah, custom guards tend to be a bit sturdier in my experience too. Everyone’s mouth is different, so finding what works for you is key.
I’ve noticed the chalky stuff too, especially with the cheaper guards. I actually switched to just rinsing mine with cold water and brushing it gently, like you said. It seems to help, and my last over-the-counter guard lasted about 8 months before it started cracking. I keep thinking about a custom one, but the price is tough. Has anyone found a budget-friendly custom option that actually lasts longer?
