Having a mouthguard if you are having problems like jaw pain or teeth grinding issues is very important. They are the best solution to keep your teeth healthy and straight. Don't forget to clean them because dirty mouthguards lead to smelly mouths and contain germs. For keeping your mouthguard clean and germ free, it's important to know how to boil a mouthguard.
In this guide, you can learn how to boil a mouthguard. Boiling your mouthguard is a fast and easy way to kill the germs and keep them clean. Boiling your mouthguard will remove bad smells and stains.
For boiling your mouthguard, you will need a pot of water and a clean, dry surface to place it on. For this process, you have to use grippers to handle the mouthguard in hot water.
Importance of Boiling a Mouthguard
Boiling your mouthguard is a crucial step in maintaining its cleanliness and functionality. Here's why:
Prevents Bacteria Growth
If you don't wash them, the mouthguard becomes a home for the bacteria permanently. They can lead to bad smells, gum disease, and other oral problems. Boiling your mouthguard is the best way to kill these bacteria and keep your mouth healthy.
After you wear a mouthguard, it comes into contact with your saliva, which contains bacteria. With the flow of time, these bacteria keep increasing on the surface of your mouthguard. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to remove them and cause diseases.
But if you want to get rid of this problem, keep boiling your mouthguard regularly. While boiling it with hot water, bacteria get killed and clean the mouthguard. With this process, your teeth remain healthy, and your gums are free from germs.
Removes Odor
Having mouthguards will lead to a smelly odor with time, mostly when they are not clean. This odor is caused by bacteria that break the organic material in your saliva. But knowing how to boil a mouthguard will help you to keep them fresh and clean.
After boiling your mouthguard, the water kills all the germs and bacteria and breaks down the organic material that leads to odor. This is the most effective way to remove the odor caused by a mouthguard.
Maintains Mouthguard Integrity
Boiling your mouthguard helps to maintain its integrity. Cleaning it with time keeps your mouthguard in good condition for a long period. Through this process, it is totally safe from becoming brittle and cracking.
The plastic becomes soft when you boil your mouthguard with hot water. This can help prevent it from becoming hard and prevent it from getting cracked. The boiling process will help to remove any material deposits that build up on the surface.
Steps to Boil a Mouthguard
Boiling the mouthguard is a really important and easy process to keep your teeth healthy. Here, we provide easy steps that will help you to learn how to boil a mouthguard and effectively kill the bacteria permanently. The following steps are given below:
- Gather necessary supplies: mouthguard, pot, water, tongs, clean, dry surface.
- Fill the pot with enough water to completely submerge the mouthguard.
- Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high.
- Bring water to a boil.
- Carefully add a mouthguard using tongs.
- Boil the mouthguard for 5-10 minutes.
- Carefully remove the mouthguard using tongs.
- Rinse mouthguard with cold water.
- Dry it thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth.
- Store mouthguard in a clean case or container.
Safety Precautions
Avoid Boiling Plastic Mouthguards
- As boiling is effective for mouthguards, it is important to check the instructions on the given page of the mouthguard. Some mouthgaurds are not heat resistance and become warp or melt when exposed to high temperatures.
Don't Overboil
- Boiling for a long time can damage the material of your mouthguard. Just follow the recommended time of 5 to 10 minutes. Overboiling can cause damage, and it becomes brittle or loses its shape.
Handle Hot Mouthguard Carefully
- Be careful while taking out the mouthguard from the hot water, and use grippers. Boiling water is very hot and burns your hands if you use it to take the mouthguard out.
- Allow the mouthguard to cool down before wearing or storing it.
Alternative Cleaning Methods
While boiling is a popular and effective method, there are other options for cleaning your mouthguard:
Using Mouthwash
Mouthwash is an easy and effective way to keep your mouthguard clean. This is the best way to kill your bacteria and keep your breath fresh. Use mouthwash and simply rinse your mouthguard after using it for once. Various types of mouthwash are available in the market, so choose one of them that is right for you.
After using mouthwash, make sure to wash your mouthguard properly with water to remove any stains or residue left behind. You can also soak your mouthguard in mouthwash for some time and give it a deep clean.
Using a Toothbrush and Soap
Here is another best way to clean your mouthguard by using a toothbrush and soap. If you do not have access to mouthwash, this is the best way. When you want to clean your mouthguard with a toothbrush and soap, simply brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap. Be sure to rinse it through with water.
Using a toothbrush and soap, it's important to use a mild soap that will not damage the mouthguard. Do not use harsh soap or low-quality cleaners. Also, take care that you do not brush hard because it will damage the mouthguard. When the cleaning process gets done, wash it with clean water.
Conclusion
Knowing how to boil a mouthguard will help a lot when you need it. It is the most effective way to clean your mouthguard without any stress. When you boil your mouthguard, it helps you to prevent bacteria growth, remove the bad smell, and maintain the mouthguard in good condition. Do not forget to clean it with other methods, like using a mouthwash, toothbrush, and soap for added protection. Washing your mouthguard regularly can help to keep it in good condition and use for a long period.