You're spot-on about the peroxide—while it's generally safe in small doses, some mouthguard materials can react differently over time. I've seen cases where regular use of peroxide-based cleaners made the guard brittle or discolored. Denture tablets are usually fine, but it's always good to verify they're peroxide-free or at least low-concentration. Personally, I prefer recommending gentle dish soap and lukewarm water for everyday cleaning. It's mild, effective, and doesn't leave behind any funky smells (vinegar breath is definitely not a good look, haha).
Also, a quick tip: every now and then, do a close inspection of your mouthguard under good lighting. Look for tiny cracks or signs of wear—those little imperfections can harbor bacteria or weaken the guard over time. Better safe than sorry...especially since replacements aren't exactly cheap.
"Personally, I prefer recommending gentle dish soap and lukewarm water for everyday cleaning."
Glad you mentioned dish soap—I switched to it after my dentist warned me about peroxide weakening the guard. Honestly, peroxide always made me nervous anyway... didn't want to risk damaging something that's supposed to protect my teeth. One thing I've noticed is that drying it thoroughly after cleaning helps prevent those weird little spots and discolorations. Better to be cautious than stuck buying replacements more often than necessary.
Dish soap's been my go-to as well, but I gotta admit, sometimes I get lazy and just rinse it quickly under water... probably not the best habit, haha. You're totally right about drying it though—those little spots drive me nuts. I started patting mine dry with a paper towel after washing, and it's made a huge difference. No more weird mystery stains appearing overnight... at least for now.
Haha, glad I'm not the only one guilty of the quick rinse method... though I gotta say, dish soap really is a lifesaver. But honestly, paper towels? Those things add up fast, and my wallet cries every time I buy another roll. I've switched to using a microfiber cloth instead—cheap, reusable, and no lint or weird fuzzies left behind. Plus, you can just toss it in the laundry when it gets gross.
Also, about those mystery stains... anyone else ever notice they seem to appear more when you're already having a rough day? Like your mouthguard just knows you're stressed and decides to mess with you overnight. Maybe it's just me, but I'm convinced there's some kind of conspiracy going on here.
Haha, microfiber cloths are definitely underrated. I switched to them a while back too, mostly because I got tired of those tiny paper towel bits sticking everywhere. Plus, they're way better for the environment, so win-win.
About those mystery stains though... you're onto something. I've noticed patients mentioning that their mouthguards seem to get weird discolorations or spots exactly when they're stressed or sick. Honestly, stress can actually change your saliva composition—making it more acidic or altering the bacterial balance in your mouth. So it's not totally crazy to think your mouthguard might be reacting differently during rough times.
Funny story: I once had a patient who swore her mouthguard was cursed because every time she had a big presentation at work, she'd wake up with some new stain or weird mark on it. Turns out she was unconsciously grinding harder due to stress, causing tiny micro-cracks that trapped stains more easily. So yeah, maybe not a conspiracy exactly... but your mouthguard definitely knows when you're having a bad day!
