"My dentist laughed when I confessed my nightly soaking ritual—said I was turning it into a jellyfish."
Haha, jellyfish mouthguards... that's a new one. Honestly, mine went through something similar. My dentist suggested using those denture cleaning tablets every now and then instead of plain water. Apparently, they're gentle enough for mouthguards too and help keep the shape intact without turning them gummy. Might be worth a shot if you ever feel adventurous again—just avoid the jellyfish stage at all costs.
I've never heard of mouthguards turning jellyfish-like, but mine definitely started to warp after soaking too long. Didn't realize plain water could do that... thought it was just me somehow messing up. Curious though, did your dentist mention if temperature makes a difference? I've noticed mine seems softer after soaking in warm water compared to cold. Wonder if cooler temps might keep it from getting all gummy and shapeless overnight. Those denture tablets sound interesting too—do they help with discoloration or just the shape thing? Might give them a try if they tackle more than one issue at once.
Mine got weirdly gummy too after soaking overnight—honestly thought I was losing it at first. I'd wake up, pop it in, and it'd feel like chewing on a stale gummy bear or something. Definitely not pleasant. When I mentioned it to my dentist, she said temperature does matter quite a bit. Apparently warm water can soften the material temporarily, making it easier to warp out of shape if it's left soaking too long. She recommended sticking with cool water instead, and that's actually helped mine stay firmer.
Funny you mentioned denture tablets—I tried those for discoloration at first because mine was starting to look kinda gross (coffee drinker here, guilty as charged). They did help brighten things up a bit, but honestly didn't notice much difference in terms of shape or firmness. The weird jellyfish texture thing still happened when I left it soaking too long in warm water—even with the tablets.
Now I'm just cautious about how long I soak it and always use cold water. Plus I've gotten into the habit of rinsing thoroughly after using those tablets because they leave a slight minty taste behind—not bad exactly, but kinda odd when you're expecting neutral plastic flavor (if that's even a thing?). Anyway, cooler water seems to be key for me...haven't had any more gummy bear moments since switching over.
Still anxious about messing mine up though—those things aren't cheap!
Interesting you mention the temp issue—I usually soak mine in warm water (habit from when I first got it), and honestly haven't noticed any gummy texture yet. Maybe it depends on the specific material or brand? Although, now that you bring it up, mine does seem to discolor quicker than I'd like, even though I use the denture tablets regularly. Wonder if the warmth makes it more prone to staining...hmm.
Have you tried just giving it a quick scrub with a soft toothbrush and mild soap instead of soaking overnight? I switched to doing that most nights, and it seems to keep things fresher without risking that gummy feel you described. Totally get being cautious though—these mouthguards cost way too much to experiment with too much.
I've noticed the discoloration thing too, especially when I was soaking mine in warmer water. Maybe it's something about the heat opening up tiny pores in the material or something? Since switching to cooler water and just scrubbing gently with mild soap most nights, mine seems to stay clearer longer. Have you noticed if certain denture tablet brands make a difference? I've tried a couple, and some definitely seem to stain less than others...
