My kid’s night guard started smelling like a gym bag left in the sun, and honestly, that was my cue. I tried to convince myself it was “just plastic,” but the look on her face every night said otherwise. I get wanting to save money, but after seeing what she puts that thing through (chewing, twisting, sometimes “accidentally” dropping it behind the bed), I’m not risking another trip to the dentist. Once it gets weird—smell, taste, or mystery cracks—it’s gone. Not fun shelling out for a new one, but cavities are way worse.
Once it gets weird—smell, taste, or mystery cracks—it’s gone.
That’s pretty much my rule too, though I admit I try to stretch it a bit longer than I probably should. The price tag on those things isn’t small, and insurance barely covers any of it for me. Still, the smell is a dead giveaway it’s time to move on. I’ve tried all the cleaning tricks—tablets, vinegar, even fancy sprays—but once it hits that “gym bag” stage, nothing really helps. Sometimes I wonder if the cheaper boil-and-bite ones are worth rotating in just to save a bit... anyone else tried that?
