I've had similar experiences with discoloration, especially when I first got mine and was soaking it in warm water regularly. I also noticed certain denture tablets seemed harsher than others—one brand in particular left a weird cloudy residue that was tough to scrub off. Switching to a gentler tablet and cooler water definitely helped me too. Maybe it's the combination of heat and stronger cleaning agents causing the issue? Either way, gentle seems to be the way to go...
I've noticed the same thing with mine—warm water definitely seems to make discoloration worse. I think you're onto something with the harsher tablets too. My dentist mentioned that some denture cleaners have stronger oxidizing agents, which can cause cloudiness or even weaken the material over time. I've switched to a mild soap and cool water combo, and it's been pretty effective so far. Might be worth trying if you keep having issues...
I've been wary of denture cleaners too—seems a bit harsh for mouthguards. My dentist said something similar, but honestly, even mild soap makes me nervous. I've just been rinsing mine with cool water and brushing gently with a soft toothbrush. So far, no discoloration...but now I'm paranoid about the case disappearing next! Maybe I should tie it down or something, lol.
Same here, denture cleaners always seemed a bit too strong for me. I've stuck with just water and a soft brush too, but I do occasionally soak mine in diluted mouthwash—dentist said that's okay once in a while. As for the case disappearing...I swear mine has legs. Lost it twice already, found it once behind the nightstand and another time under the bed. Maybe they're plotting something together, lol...
"Maybe they're plotting something together, lol..."
Haha, I wouldn't put it past them! I've heard some pretty funny stories from patients about mouthguard cases turning up in the weirdest places—one lady found hers in the fridge. No idea how it got there, but she blamed sleepwalking. 🤷♀️
As for cleaning, you're right to be cautious with denture cleaners—they can be a bit harsh on mouthguards. Diluted mouthwash is usually fine occasionally, but make sure it's alcohol-free since alcohol can dry out and degrade the material over time. If you're ever looking for a gentle alternative, you could try soaking your guard in a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar for about 15-20 minutes once a week. It helps remove bacteria without damaging the material. Just rinse thoroughly afterward to avoid any lingering taste.
Speaking of mysterious disappearances...do you all keep your cases in one specific spot, or do you move them around? I wonder if having a dedicated "home" for the case might help prevent these escape attempts...or maybe they're just determined little things!
