How To Clean A Retainer Or Mouthguard | Reviews By Wirecutter

Home » How To Clean A Mouth Guard » How To Clean A Retainer Or Mouthguard | Reviews By Wirecutter

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You can effectively clean your mouth gear using basic tools you likely already have around your home. Each morning, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to give your guard or retainer a gentle scrubbing, like you would your own teeth. There’s just one exception—while it might feel instinctual to use toothpaste, experts we spoke to recommend hand or dish soap instead because it’s less abrasive than most pastes. This method is also cheaper in the long run: Ounce for ounce, toothpaste is about 14 times more expensive than soap. You only need a small drop or two, and we recommend using unscented, since some varieties have aromas that linger. Keep a separate toothbrush on hand dedicated to this specific task, and if you're using dish soap, we've found that transferring some to a travel-size bottle frees up valuable sink space.

You only need a small drop or two of soap. Joshua Lyon/NYT WirecutterUse a soft-bristle brush and be sure to get both sides. Video: Joshua Lyon
You only need a small drop or two of soap. Joshua Lyon/NYT Wirecutter

Thoroughly rinse the retainer or guard once you’ve finished brushing (so you don’t end up with a bitter mouthful of soap when it comes time to pop it back in) and let your gear air-dry in its case. Brushing it again at night isn’t necessary, but if you’d like your piece to be minty-fresh before wearing it again, dunk it in a glass of water with a few drops of mouthwash and give it a quick swirl, a trick we picked up from Leila Jahangiri, professor of prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry.

Optional indulgence: drop your retainer or mouthguard into a glass of water, add a few drops of mouthwash, and swirl before wearing for a minty-fresh taste. Video: Joshua Lyon

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