Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

How to Care for Custom Fit Sports Mouthguards

15 September 2015

Duane Kelly

If you've opted to have your dentist make a custom mouthguard, rather than buying an off-the-shelf or boil-and-bite product, you've paid extra to get a guard that protects your teeth and mouth more effectively. Going this extra mile typically gives you a better fit and additional shock absorption protection, reducing the risk of injury to your teeth and mouth, if you do happen to have an accident when training or playing sports.

There's no escaping the fact that buying a mouthguard from your dentist is more expensive than buying a regular guard in a store or online. According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, the average cost of a dentist's mouthguard is around $250 compared to around $10 for a basic off-the-shelf product. Given the extra expense, it makes sense to take good care of your mouthguard and to get it checked by your dentist regularly. This keeps it in good condition, reduces the chances of damage, and ensures that the mouthguard continues to protect you.

Custom Mouthguard Care Tips

Talk to your dentist during the fitting process to find out the best ways to look after your mouthguard. Typically, you should do the following:

Cleaning

• Clean the mouthguard in water after every use. You can rinse it or use a soft toothbrush to clean it, if you prefer.
• Use cold or warm water, but don't use hot water, which may change the shape of the mouthguard.
• If the mouthguard is dirty, you can use a little mild soap to clean it. Make sure to rinse it well to remove any residue.
• Disinfect the mouthguard every few weeks by rinsing it in mouthwash. This helps get rid of any lingering bacteria.

Storage

• Keep your mouthguard in its storage container or box when you aren't wearing it. This helps keep it clean and safe from damage. The box should be hard enough to protect the mouthguard, if you drop the container or step on it by accident. It should also ideally have ventilation holes to prevent bad smells building up in in the box.
• Don't store the mouthguard in direct sunlight, near a heat source or in your car. Heat may make the mouthguard go out of shape.

Take Your Mouthguard to the Dentist

Your dentist may ask you to bring your mouthguard with you when you have routine check-ups to make sure it still fits and is in good condition. Alternatively, you can ask to have it checked periodically. You should also talk to your dentist if you think the mouthguard's fit has changed or if it is damaged. A badly-fitted or broken mouthguard will be uncomfortable to wear and may not give you the protection you need.

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