I've had similar experiences with baking soda—it does the job, but yeah, can definitely feel rough if you overdo it. Hydrogen peroxide diluted with water is actually a solid alternative. Just make sure it's properly diluted (usually about half water, half peroxide) and rinse thoroughly afterward. I started using it a few months ago, and my mouthguard feels cleaner without that gritty feeling. Good luck trying it out...hope it works well for you too.
I can totally relate to the baking soda thing...tried it once and never again. It left my mouthguard feeling scratchy, and honestly, I worried I might've damaged it. I've thought about hydrogen peroxide but always felt nervous about chemicals in my mouth. Good to know it's safe if diluted properly. Might give it a cautious try soon, since I'm running out of options. Glad it's working out for you though—makes me feel a bit more confident about giving it a shot myself.
I've had similar reservations about hydrogen peroxide myself. After the baking soda fiasco (I swear my mouthguard felt like sandpaper for days), I did some digging into peroxide solutions. Turns out, as long as you dilute it properly—usually a 1:1 ratio with water—it’s pretty safe and effective. I was skeptical at first too, but after cautiously trying it a couple of times, my mouthguard felt cleaner without any weird textures or lingering chemical taste.
One thing I'd suggest is rinsing thoroughly afterward to ease your mind about residual chemicals. Also, maybe start with a shorter soak time at first to see how your mouthguard reacts. Mine seems fine after about 10 minutes, but everyone's gear is a bit different.
Honestly, though, the real mystery here is still the disappearing case...I swear mine has legs and wanders off every night. Maybe it's hanging out with all those missing socks from the dryer?
"Maybe it's hanging out with all those missing socks from the dryer?"
Haha, seriously...I thought I was the only one losing mouthguard cases! Glad I'm not alone with the peroxide anxiety either—thanks for the tip about rinsing thoroughly. Might give it a cautious try tonight...fingers crossed.
I've been wondering about the peroxide thing myself...does anyone know if regular soaking actually shortens the lifespan of the mouthguard material? I'd hate to replace mine sooner than necessary—these things aren't exactly cheap.
