[Closed] The Great Mouthguard Mystery: A Tale of the Vanishing Case

You're right about pets and dental gear - it's oddly common. Ever notice how dogs especially seem to target retainers left on nightstands? Maybe it's the saliva scent or just boredom... either way, metal tins are a lifesaver. Glad you found something that works!

"Ever notice how dogs especially seem to target retainers left on nightstands?"

Haha, yes! My dog once turned my custom mouthguard into an expensive chew toy overnight. I think you're onto something with the saliva scent theory - dogs have such sensitive noses, it probably smells irresistible to them. After that incident, I switched to a sturdy metal container too, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. Definitely worth the small investment to avoid another costly replacement...

Haha, my cat once knocked mine off the nightstand and batted it under the dresser - took me days to find it. Pets seem universally attracted to dental appliances...maybe they're secretly plotting against our teeth? Glad the metal container trick worked out for you.

"Pets seem universally attracted to dental appliances...maybe they're secretly plotting against our teeth?"

Haha, maybe - but honestly, I think it's more about the texture or smell. Ever notice how pets go after anything that smells remotely like us? Could just be curiosity rather than conspiracy...

Could be curiosity, sure...but honestly, pets might just see mouthguards as oddly shaped chew toys. Mine once stole mine right off the nightstand - pretty sure it wasn't plotting anything sinister, just enjoying the unexpected treat. Thankfully, replacements exist for a reason.

"Mine once stole mine right off the nightstand - pretty sure it wasn't plotting anything sinister, just enjoying the unexpected treat."

Haha, this reminds me of when my retainer mysteriously vanished. I was convinced I'd misplaced it somewhere obvious, but after days of searching, I finally found it tucked behind the couch, chewed up beyond recognition. Turns out my cat had decided it was her new favorite toy. I still wonder what makes mouthguards and retainers so appealing to pets - is it the texture, the smell, or maybe just the fact they're off-limits? Anyway, I learned my lesson and now keep mine safely stored in a drawer. If your pet's particularly sneaky, maybe try a case with a latch or something harder for paws to open. Worked for me, at least...so far.

Haha, mine hasn't been stolen yet, but now I'm kinda nervous after reading these stories... Maybe pets like mouthguards because they're soft and rubbery - sorta like chew toys? Or maybe it's something about our scent being all over them. I just got fitted for one and I'm already thinking I'll need to invest in a sturdier case or hide it somewhere safe. Better safe than sorry, I guess...

Haha, you're definitely onto something with the scent theory - pets love anything that smells like us. Honestly though, don't stress too much. A sturdy case usually does the trick, and most pets lose interest pretty quick once they realize it's off-limits...usually. 😉

"pets love anything that smells like us"

Haha, yep, that's exactly it. I had a similar issue with my dog and my Invisalign trays - talk about panic mode when one went missing! Turns out, she was just hoarding it under her bed because it smelled like me. Thankfully, no chewing damage...but lesson learned.

Honestly, the sturdy case advice is spot-on. If you're still worried though, you could try wiping the case down with something safe but mildly unappealing to pets - like diluted vinegar or citrus. Pets usually steer clear of those scents, and it won't harm your mouthguard either. Just make sure it's dry before putting your guard back in.

But yeah, don't sweat it too much. Pets are curious little creatures, but they do tend to move on pretty quickly once the novelty wears off. Good luck!

Totally agree about the sturdy case - saved me a few times already. My cat knocked mine off the nightstand once, and I swear I spent half an hour crawling around with a flashlight thinking she'd eaten it or something. Turns out it was just wedged under the dresser...covered in dust bunnies, of course. Good idea on the citrus scent too, might give that a shot just to be safe.

Haha, cats have a knack for causing panic, don't they? Glad yours didn't actually snack on it. About the citrus scent though - just a heads-up from experience: my kiddo wasn't too thrilled with it at first. Said it tasted weird even after rinsing. We switched to mint instead, and that seemed to go over better. Might just depend on personal preference though...every kid's different!

"Said it tasted weird even after rinsing."

Yeah, I noticed the same thing with the citrus flavor. Thought it'd be refreshing, but nope...just tasted kinda off and lingered way too long. Mint was definitely better for me too, but now I'm wondering if there's something even milder out there? First-time mouthguard user here, so still figuring things out. Also, glad your cat didn't actually eat yours - mine just bats it around like it's a toy. Cats are weird sometimes.

Cats are weird sometimes.

Have you tried going flavorless? I know it sounds kinda boring, but honestly, sometimes the flavored ones have additives that can leave that weird aftertaste you're describing. Mint's usually safe, but even that can be a bit much for some people. If you're sensitive to tastes, a plain one might be your best bet. Also, totally relate on the cat thing - mine once knocked my mouthguard case under the couch and it took me forever to find it...cats really are something else.

Flavorless can be a good solution, but personally, I found it had its own issues. I tried a plain mouthguard once, and even though it didn't have that weird aftertaste from additives, it ended up tasting kind of plasticky - almost like chewing on a rubber band. Maybe it was just the brand I used, but the lack of flavor actually made me more aware of the material itself, which wasn't exactly pleasant.

Mint is usually okay for me, but I do agree sometimes it's overwhelming. I've been using a very mild citrus-flavored one lately, and surprisingly, it's been working out pretty well. Not too strong, and it masks that odd plastic taste without being distracting.

As for cats... yeah, mine hasn't stolen my case yet, but he does have a habit of batting it around the bathroom counter. I'm just waiting for the day it disappears behind the toilet or something. Cats definitely keep life interesting (and occasionally frustrating).

Yeah, flavorless mouthguards always sound great in theory, but in practice... not so much. I gave one a shot a while back and ended up feeling like I was chewing on an old tire. I swear, the plasticky taste lingered for hours after waking up - definitely not my idea of refreshing.

Mint is usually my go-to, but lately I've been trying a subtle vanilla-flavored one. It sounds weird, I know, but it's actually pretty nice - kind of comforting without being overpowering. Citrus sounds interesting too, might have to look into that next time.

And speaking of cats and mouthguard cases... my furry overlord hasn't just batted mine around - she actually managed to knock it into the trash bin once. Took me forever to figure out where it went. I'm convinced they secretly plot these things just to keep us on our toes (and remind us who's really in charge).

Interesting to hear about your experience with vanilla - I haven't come across that one yet. Mint seems to be the default recommendation, probably because it's familiar and masks any residual plastic taste pretty effectively. But vanilla does sound intriguing, especially if it's subtle enough not to feel like you're sleeping with dessert in your mouth.

On the topic of flavorless mouthguards, I've noticed patients often mention that lingering plastic taste you described. Makes me wonder if it's related to the material itself or maybe the manufacturing process. Have you tried soaking it in anything specific to neutralize the taste? I've heard some people use diluted mouthwash or even baking soda solutions, but I'm curious if anyone's found something particularly effective.

And as for cats and mouthguard cases... your story made me chuckle. I've had patients come in needing replacements because their pets decided the mouthguard was a chew toy. Maybe there's something about the texture or scent that attracts them? Wouldn't surprise me if manufacturers eventually start marketing pet-proof cases - seems like there's a real demand there.

I've also wondered about the plastic taste - my dentist mentioned it might be from the curing process. I tried soaking mine overnight in diluted baking soda once, and it did help a bit... but didn't completely eliminate it. Also, my dog seems equally fascinated by mouthguards, unfortunately.

Interesting point about the baking soda soak, but I'm not entirely convinced the plastic taste is solely from the curing process. I've read somewhere that certain brands or materials inherently have a stronger chemical flavor, regardless of curing. Maybe checking into alternative materials or brands could help? Also, sympathies about the dog situation - mine once mistook mine for a chew toy... expensive mistake.

"certain brands or materials inherently have a stronger chemical flavor, regardless of curing."

Yeah, I've noticed that too. But honestly, sometimes the pricier brands aren't always better taste-wise. I switched to a cheaper brand recently - surprisingly less plasticky. Might be worth experimenting a bit... Sorry about your dog though, that's rough!

Totally relate to the chemical taste thing... When I got my first mouthguard, I was super anxious about it because the taste was so strong. Tried soaking it in mouthwash, baking soda, even vinegar (bad idea, btw - made it way worse!). Eventually, I found that just leaving it out during the day helped air it out over time. Didn't completely eliminate the flavor, but made it more bearable. Hope yours improves soon... and fingers crossed your pup doesn't snack on the next one.