Cleaning a Mouthguard the Right Way: Dentist Guidance vs TikTok Hacks

If you're like most people…

You rinse it with hot water.
Maybe brush it with toothpaste.
Once a week—if that.

But here’s the deal:

Most TikTok hacks do more harm than good.
And dentist advice? Often overcomplicated.

So in this post, I’ll compare:

• What dentists actually recommend
  
  
• The weird hacks trending on TikTok
  
  
• And the best routine that keeps your mouthguard clean, safe, and long-lasting
  

Why You Need to Clean It the Right Way

A dirty mouthguard = a bacterial biofilm factory.

If you're not cleaning properly, you're risking:

• Gum inflammation
  
  
• Bad breath
  
  
• Breakouts around your mouth
  
  
• Respiratory infections (in rare cases)
  
  
• Staining or degradation of the guard itself
  

Especially if you’re wearing it all night, every night.

 

What Dentists Actually Recommend

According to the ADA and dental hygienists, here's the gold standard cleaning routine:

✅ Daily (after each use):

• Rinse thoroughly with warm water (not hot)
  
  
• Gently brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush with no toothpaste
  
  
• Let air-dry completely in a ventilated case
  

✅ Weekly:

• Soak in a diluted vinegar + water solution
  OR
  
  
• Use a non-alcoholic denture cleaner for 5–10 mins
  
  
• Rinse thoroughly and dry
  

✅ Monthly (optional deep clean):

• Use a UV mouthguard sanitizer
  
  
• Or soak in a 1:1 hydrogen peroxide + water solution for 10 minutes
  

👉 Want to learn more about your guard’s structure? Check out:
The Science Behind Mouthguards: How They Alleviate Jaw Pain

What TikTok Recommends (and Why You Should Think Twice)

 

How to Clean Your Reviv Mouthguard Specifically

The Reviv Mouthguard is made with remoldable, heat-sensitive materials, so it needs gentle care.

Here’s the Reviv-safe routine:

After each use:

• Rinse with warm water only
  
  
• Brush gently with soft brush, no paste
  

Once a week:

• Soak in equal parts white vinegar and water for 10 minutes
  
  
• Rinse, dry completely, store in vented case
  

Never:

• Use hot water
  
  
• Use alcohol-based products
  
  
• Scrub aggressively
  
  
• Leave it wet in a sealed container
  

👉 Related read: Step-by-Step Guide to Fitting a Mouthguard for TMJ

 

My Personal Routine That Keeps It Clean and Lasts Longer

🕒 Every morning

• Quick rinse
  
  
• Gentle brush
  
  
• Air dry by the window
  

🧽 Sundays

• Vinegar soak for 10 minutes
  
  
• Rinse and dry
  

☀️ Once a month

• UV sanitize for peace of mind
  

My Reviv has lasted 11 months this way—still clean, still fits like night one.

Bonus: What to Do If Your Mouthguard Smells

If you’re dealing with odor or yellowing:

• Soak in vinegar + baking soda
  
  
• Or try Reviv’s own cleaning kit (coming soon—sign up to be notified)
  

👉 If you really messed up the fit (boiled it, etc.)—just remold it.
Here’s how:
How to Troubleshoot Common Oral Appliance Issues

FAQs

1. Can I use toothpaste to clean it?
No—most pastes are abrasive and will damage the material.

2. Can I leave it soaking overnight?
Nope. Over-soaking can degrade the plastic and trap moisture = mold risk.

3. What’s the best sanitizer for a mouthguard?
UV light or gentle denture-cleaner tablets. Avoid anything with alcohol or bleach.

4. Why does my guard turn yellow?
Buildup from saliva, poor drying, or using the wrong cleaner.

5. Can I boil Reviv to sanitize it?
 Never. Boiling will destroy its mold and support structure.

Final Word: Clean Guard = Clean Sleep

You wear it in your mouth for 8 hours.
Would you wear the same socks for 8 hours a day without washing them?

Didn’t think so.

👉 Keep your jaw healthy—clean your Reviv the right way

👉 Click here to buy Reviv now

Don’t rip your jaw forward every night unless you have to.
Train it to rest where it belongs.