Night Guard Cleaning Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

If you wear a night guard, you are aware that it protects your teeth from grinding and can prevent sore jaws. However, cleaning it properly can be difficult, and there are many myths about cleaning night guards that can get you into trouble.

One myth is that rinsing the night guard in water is enough to clean it. Sure, that removes some bacteria or plaque, but it will not eliminate harmful bacteria. Another myth is that you can use any harsh chemicals or baking soda on the guard and it will be fine. Again, the material will not work well with harsh products.

Let’s explore the most common mouth guard cleaning myths and what believing them could do to your dental health and the life of your night guard. Figuring out the truth should help you maintain your night guard hygiene safely.

Myth #1: Running It Under Hot Water Is Enough

People often ask how to clean a night guard. It's easy to feel tempted to use hot water for a quick rinse and think it will kill the germs. A quick rinse isn’t proper mouthguard sanitation. It is simply washing off the surface debris, and if you are using boiling water, that’s going to be even more dangerous.

Night guards are made from plastic. This means they can deform when exposed to extreme heat.

Truth: Hot water rinsing isn’t the best way to clean a mouth guard. Instead, use lukewarm water and a soft-bristle toothbrush. For deeper cleaning, mild antibacterial soap or special cleaning crystals work much better.

Myth #2: Toothpaste Cleans Just Fine

This one’s a classic. Toothpaste is designed for teeth, not guards. It’s abrasive, kind of like sandpapering plastic. Over time, those tiny scratches give bacteria and plaque a cozy place to hide.

And here’s the irony: the guard might look “cleaner,” but microscopic grooves are building up. That’s when odor and discoloration sneak in.

Truth: Skip the toothpaste. Stick to gentle cleaners. Many dentists recommend dish soap or, for convenience, specialized cleaning tablets. ALIGNERCO’s cleaning tablets , for example, are designed to clean effectively without damaging your guard.

Myth #3: It’s Okay to Leave It Out during the Day

Sounds harmless, right? You finish brushing in the morning, set your guard on the bathroom counter, and get on with your day. The problem is, the bathroom isn’t exactly the cleanest environment. Moisture plus airborne particles equals to bacteria playground.

Think about it like leaving food out overnight. Even if it looks fine, you wouldn’t eat it the next day. The same logic applies here.

Truth: Always store your night guard in a ventilated case when not in use. And yes, clean the case too, otherwise you’re just swapping germs back and forth.

Myth #4: Mouthwash Is All You Need

Some people think mouthwash is enough to sanitize the mouth guard. It seems logical to them because mouthwash is antibacterial, so dunking your guard in it should sanitize it. Not quite. Most mouthwashes contain alcohol, which can dry out and damage the plastic over time. They also don’t have the same cleaning power for biofilm buildup (that sticky layer of bacteria).

A college student once admitted he soaked his guard in mint mouthwash every night. By month two, the guard had turned cloudy and brittle. Fresh breath? Sure. Functional guard? Not anymore.

Truth: Mouthwash can be a quick fix in rare situations, but don’t rely on it as your main cleaning method. Use it sparingly, and always dilute it if you must.

Myth #5: Scrubbing Harder = Cleaner Guard

We’ve all been there, scrubbing dishes or counters, thinking elbow grease solves everything. With a night guard, that backfires. Aggressive scrubbing damages the material, especially with stiff brushes. And once scratches form, bacteria settle in, making your guard harder, not easier to clean.

Truth: Gentleness is key. Use a soft-bristle brush and light circular motions. Clean thoroughly, but don’t treat your guard like a pot that burns spaghetti sauce.

Myth #6: You Don’t Need to Clean It Every Day

Maybe you’ve thought, “It’s just in my mouth while I sleep, how dirty can it get?” The answer: very. Your mouth is full of bacteria, and saliva creates a moist environment where they thrive. Overnight, plaque and microorganisms cling to your guard just like they do to your teeth.

Skipping cleaning even for a day or two can lead to:

• Funky smells
• Staining
• A slimy film that’s tough to scrub away later
• Even gum irritation if bacteria build up

Truth: Treat your night guard like you treat your toothbrush. Daily cleaning is non-negotiable if you care about hygiene.

The Right Way to Clean and Sanitize a Night Guard

So, if the myths don’t hold up, what is the right way? Here’s a simple nightly routine:

• Rinse with lukewarm water right after removing it.
• Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap.
• Rinse thoroughly to remove residue.
• Sanitize weekly using ALIGNERCO cleaning tablets
• Air dry fully before storing in its case.

And to answer a common question: Can you boil a mouth guard? Never. That ruins it.

Why It Matters: Your Guard, Your Health

Your night guard isn’t just a piece of plastic. It’s protecting your smile every night. Think of it as a teammate in your oral health routine. But like any teammate, it needs care. If it’s full of bacteria or misshapen, it can’t do its job properly.

ALIGNERCO, known for affordable clear aligners, also offers easy-to-use cleaning solutions that fit seamlessly into your routine. They’re designed with safety in mind, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your guard or introducing harsh chemicals.

Cleaning Night Guards Explained

Myths about cleaning mouth guards are everywhere, and believing those myths will cost you much more than a foul-smelling guard. We're talking about damaged material, wasted money, oral health risks, etc. The best answer is cleaning and consistent care using the right equipment. So the next time someone says "Just boil it" or "Toothpaste is fine", you will know better. Because your night guard and your smile deserve better.