"One thing I've noticed though, is that if you don't rinse thoroughly enough, it can leave a gritty texture behind."
Totally relate to this—had a similar gritty surprise once when I rushed through rinsing. Baking soda's great, but lately I've been experimenting with denture cleaning tablets (sounds weird, I know). They're surprisingly effective and leave zero aftertaste. Anyone else tried these, or am I venturing too far into grandma territory here...?
I've actually heard of people using denture tablets for retainers and mouthguards—it's not as unusual as you'd think. My dentist even mentioned it once as a gentle alternative for cleaning. Personally, I've stuck with baking soda and warm water, but I'm curious: does it help with discoloration too, or just general freshness? Might consider giving it a try if it helps keep things clearer longer...
I've tried denture tablets myself after my dentist suggested it, and honestly, they do help with discoloration—not dramatically, but enough to notice a difference. Baking soda worked fine for freshness, but I found the tablets better at lifting those stubborn stains that build up over time. Just make sure you rinse thoroughly afterward, because sometimes there's a slight aftertaste if you rush it...
Totally agree about the rinsing thing—made that mistake myself once or twice, and yeah, it's not pleasant. Denture tablets really do the trick for stains, especially if you're a tea or coffee drinker like me. Baking soda's decent for freshness, but I find it a bit abrasive if used too often. Tablets just seem gentler overall...my dentist also recommended soaking the mouthguard regularly to keep bacteria at bay. Keeps things feeling cleaner, longer.
"Baking soda's decent for freshness, but I find it a bit abrasive if used too often."
Yeah, I noticed the same thing... baking soda can feel a bit harsh after a while. Denture tablets are gentler for sure, but have you tried diluted hydrogen peroxide? My dentist mentioned it once—supposedly great for disinfecting without being abrasive. Might give it a shot myself next time, curious how it compares. Thanks for the tip about regular soaking though; definitely makes sense to keep bacteria under control.
