Haha, reading this thread brings back memories of my first run-in with those cleaning tablets. I remember recommending them to patients for years without ever actually trying one myself (oops, guilty!). Then one day, I figured I'd better practice what I preach and gave it a shot. Let's just say...I finally understood why some patients gave me that skeptical side-eye when I mentioned them.
Honestly, the pool floatie comparison is spot-on. I felt like I'd accidentally chewed on a chlorine tablet or something—no amount of rinsing seemed enough. After that experience, I started experimenting with alternatives at home, and diluted mouthwash quickly became my go-to as well. It just feels fresher and less like I've been swimming laps in a public pool.
One thing I've noticed over the years is that everyone's tastebuds react differently to these products. Some people swear by those tablets and don't notice any weird aftertaste at all (lucky them!), while others—like us—are left wondering if we missed some crucial step in the instructions. It's totally normal to feel a bit anxious about mouthguard maintenance; after all, it's something you're putting in your mouth every night, so comfort and cleanliness matter.
If you're still struggling with that chemical-y taste, you might try soaking your guard briefly in plain water after using the tablet solution. Sometimes an extra rinse or soak can help mellow things out. And if diluted mouthwash works best for you, that's perfectly fine too—whatever keeps you comfortable and consistent with your routine is what's important.
Anyway, glad I'm not alone here...mouthguard adventures are definitely a journey filled with trial and error (and occasionally chewing on imaginary pool toys). Hang in there—you've got this!
You know, I actually had the opposite experience with those tablets. At first, I avoided them because everyone kept mentioning this chlorine-pool-floatie taste, so I stuck with diluted mouthwash too. But one night, totally by accident (I ran out of mouthwash and was desperate), I finally gave the tablets a shot. Surprisingly...it wasn't that bad? Maybe my expectations were just super low from reading everyone's horror stories here, haha.
I did notice though, that brand seems to matter a lot. The first ones I tried were fine, but then I switched to a cheaper generic brand and—yep—there was that dreaded swimming pool flavor. So maybe it's not just our tastebuds being weirdly sensitive, but also something about how different brands formulate their tablets?
Anyway, it's funny how varied people's experiences are with something as simple as mouthguard cleaning. Makes me wonder if there's some secret ingredient or step we're all missing...or maybe it's just luck of the draw!
Interesting point about brands—I had a similar experience. The first tablets I tried were surprisingly neutral, but the second brand...yikes, definitely got that pool water vibe. I did some digging and apparently some cheaper tablets use stronger bleaching agents or different fillers, which might explain the chlorine taste. I've switched back to the original brand and haven't looked back since. Guess it's not just our imaginations after all, haha.
Yeah, noticed the same thing with cheaper tablets—definitely a chlorine aftertaste. I ended up breaking them in half to use less per soak, helped cut down the taste and stretched the pack longer. Worth a try if you're on a budget.
Totally agree with breaking the tablets in half, that's a smart move. I used to do that too, but eventually switched to a different brand that didn't leave as strong of a taste. Also, quick tip—rinsing the mouthguard under cold water for a good minute after soaking seems to cut down the chlorine flavor even more. Not sure if it's just me imagining things, but it definitely helps!
