How to Get a Bad Smell Out of Your Night Guard

You know you brushed your teeth before bedtime. You even used mouthwash. Yet, there’s still a foul smell that hits your nostrils when you use your night guard.

Could it be your breath — or is it the oral appliance you’ve been using to protect your teeth from grinding?

No one wants to wear something that smells gross, especially if they have to put it in their mouth. But when you don’t consistently use your night guard, symptoms from bruxism or TMJ worsen.

The good news is that most noxious odors coming from your device can be removed with a little TLC. When you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of protection from teeth grinding without the smell triggering your gag reflex, check out these handy tips to get rid of and prevent night guard odors.

Mild Soap Scrub

What? You want me to put soap in my mouth?

Well, not really, but you can clean your night guard with mild soap, and then the device goes in your mouth. The trick is to use castile or another alcohol-free liquid soap. Tip a pea-sized amount onto your soft-bristled toothbrush and scrub the surfaces of your mouth guard while running cool water over it. Rinse all the soap off thoroughly, then place the oral splint on a dry towel and let it air dry before storing it in its case.

Pro Tip: Never use hot or boiling water, as extreme temperatures can cause the thermoplastics to warp. Stick with soft, non-abrasive toothpaste to prevent scratches.

Night Guard Cleaner Spray

Cleaning sprays use special chemicals to eliminate bacteria and other microorganisms. Think of these cleaners like a low-dose spritz mouthwash without alcohol: spray, scrub, rinse, and go.

The ingredients in a night guard cleaner spray help to break down any plaque buildup on your night guard. They can even get rid of food particles and debris.

To use this cleaning method, purchase a high-quality night guard cleaner spray (such as the one we offer at JS Dental Lab). It’s spearmint-flavored for a refreshing taste and extra-fresh breath!

Spray the night guard’s surfaces and use a soft-bristle toothbrush to scrub the bacteria loose. Rinse with cool water, let air dry, then store when finished.

Pro Tip: While cleaning your night guard, give your storage container some love, too. Use mild soap, scrub, and rinse, and the bacteria that build up in these enclosed environments disappear. However, avoid using the night guard spray, which can damage the container.

Ultrasonic Cleaner

Ultrasonic cleaning devices (Don’t worry, we have one of those, too!) have been household names for decades. In fact, they’re so well-regarded that even NASA uses ultrasonic machines to clean clothes in space!

This type of cleansing uses a process known as cavitation. In short, it means that thousands of little microscopic bubbles are created from high-frequency sound waves in water. The bubbles form and collapse quickly, releasing energy strong enough to destroy bacteria, plaque, and debris on your night guard. However, this process is gentle enough to be used with sensitive and delicate jewelry and electronics.

To use an ultrasonic cleaner of your choice, fill the tank with water to the manufacturer’s specifications. Drop your night guard in the tank so it’s completely submerged. Turn the cleaner on, and watch as ultrasonic sound waves create vibrations that clean your oral appliance while you wait. It only takes a few minutes for all the grime and bacteria to disappear.

Pro Tip: Got fine jewelry? While your ultrasonic cleaner is out, this is a great time to clean some of those sensitive pieces.

Mouthwash With Fluoride

Mouthwash, like flossing, is a common part of most oral hygiene routines, but it can also help clean your night guard. Its antimicrobial properties kill bacteria and remove debris and plaque. Most mouthwash varieties contain extra ingredients, such as mint, to help boost fresh breath.

To clean your night guard with mouthwash, first find an alcohol-free product. This step is vital because alcohol can degrade the thermoplastics in your device.

Next, dilute a capful of mouthwash with an equal amount of water. Soak the night guard for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. Let it air dry before storing it in your container.

Pro Tip: Set a timer so you don’t accidentally let your night soak for too long. Leaving it in liquids for over half an hour can damage the appliance.

Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant. This means it has chemical properties that kill bacteria and remove stains. (It’s a frequent ingredient in many teeth whitening products.) However, using it for oral health cleaning purposes requires extra care.

Cleaning your night guard with this method starts with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Check the label on your bottle, as this product is available in multiple strengths.

Pour equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water into a glass. Soak your night guard in this mixture for 15 minutes. Remove and rinse it thoroughly to ensure no leftover hydrogen peroxide remains on the device.

Pro Tip: Be sure not to oversoak your night guard in this solution to prevent damage and avoid staining. Hydrogen peroxide is a known bleaching agent that can discolor your night guard. As a plus, the same mixture you used for cleaning can also serve as a whitening rinse.

Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda is popular for use in the kitchen. This common cooking ingredient is famous for its role as a deodorizer, making it a good cleaning agent for your night guard, as well as a way to prevent odors in your refrigerator.

Follow these steps to make a baking soda paste for your night guard:

1. Mix equal parts water and baking soda into a thick paste.
2. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the paste. (You don’t need much; a pea-sized amount is sufficient.)
3. Brush the paste onto your night guard and rub in circles until the surface is covered.
4. Rinse thoroughly with cool water until all the residue is gone.

Done right, this mixture removes foul odors, eliminates stains, and breaks down plaque and calcium buildup.

Pro Tip: Baking soda is another favorite whitening agent in toothpaste. Use your leftover mixture on your toothbrush to scrub your teeth.

White Vinegar Mix

Not just for coloring Easter eggs and cooking, white vinegar has made a name for itself in the cleaning department. This liquid has acetic acid in it, which dissolves calcium, tartar, and other mineral buildups. It’s also a natural disinfectant, killing bacteria before they can seep into your night guard and cause it to smell.

Mix equal parts warm water (not hot) and white vinegar in a glass. Toss your night guard into the liquid and let it soak for about 20 minutes. When you pull it out, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush, then rinse with cool water. After your night guard air dries, it will be clean and ready to use — and it shouldn’t have that vinegar smell.

Pro Tip: Keep a bottle of white vinegar on hand as an occasional mouth rinse to help remove tartar buildup. While it shouldn’t be used regularly (twice a week at most), vinegar’s mineral-degrading properties can also help you get rid of calcium buildup on your teeth before it becomes gum disease.

What Not to Use to Clean Your Night Guard

Sometimes, knowing how not to clean your night guard is just as important as knowing how to get rid of the smell. Store this list of night-guard-cleaning “no-nos” in your memory to prevent making dangerous cleaning mistakes:

• Chemicals/bleach: If it isn’t safe to put in your mouth (at least diluted or in low doses), then it isn’t safe to clean your night guard with. Chemicals and bleach also compromise the structural integrity of your oral appliance and can cause scratches, warping, discoloration, and cracks.
• Toothpaste (abrasives): Abrasive cleaning agents, like toothpaste, can scratch and damage the night guard’s surface. The resulting cracks are now tiny openings for bacteria to use as a breeding ground. The scratches also weaken the night guard, thereby shortening its lifespan.
• Hard-bristled toothbrush: Anything abrasive is not for your night guard. Stick with soft brushes and gentle strokes when cleaning.
• Strong denture cleaners: Denture cleaning isn’t an absolute no-no, but be cautious and use gentle cleaning tablets.
• Extreme temperatures: Night guards are fabricated with thermoplastics that can warp and deteriorate when exposed to high and low temperatures. Keep yours at room temperature, and never put it in the dishwasher or clean it with hot water.

When you clean your night guard, stick with the options we’ve shared or your dentist’s suggestions. You know you’ll be safe, and your night guard will be free from those unpleasant odors and structural compromise.

You’re Not Alone — Why Night Guards Get Smelly

Before you scrub the stink out of your night guard, let’s take a quick look at why it smells. Otherwise, you might find yourself running into this problem unnecessarily.

Night guards are designed to be used for hours in a damp, dark, warm environment — the human mouth. This is the ideal place for bacteria to grow and thrive.

Just as you need to brush your teeth regularly to limit this growth and avoid halitosis (bad breath), you need to clean your night guard. And, just like bad breath, smelly night guards happen when there’s too much saliva and bacteria in a dark, warm place. This could be your mouth or the storage site.

Microbes thrive in these moist environments; if you don’t clean your mouth guard regularly, let it air dry and keep it in a container away from germs.

A simple daily routine of warm water and a toothbrush helps reduce some bacteria. But any that aren’t cleaned will slowly become a sticky substance called plaque. It’s a filmy, slimy coating that eventually hardens into tartar. Tartar is why your night guard (and your teeth) become discolored, and it’s a haven for odor-causing bacteria.

This vicious cycle can be stopped with daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning regimens. However, if it’s too late and the dreaded smell is already present, try the above cleansing tips to remove the stench before you discard your mouth guard.

When The Smell Is Too Far Gone, It Could Be Time For a New Night Guard

How do you know when it’s time to replace your night guard?

These dental appliances aren’t created to last forever. Over-the-counter night guards have a short shelf life — around 3-6 months — while high-quality, professional guards (like those we fabricate at JS Dental Lab) can last years.

Still, discoloration, wear-and-tear, and cracks happen over time, even with the best night guard cleaning techniques.

If you’ve tried all these odor removal tips and yours refuses to let go of the smell, it may be time for a new night guard. Check your manufacturer to see their warranty policy. (JS Dental Lab’s is 365 days of happiness with your oral appliance or your money back.) See if they have a discount for reorders.

Night guards with strong, persistent odors can be a health risk. Because the smell is caused by microorganisms like bacteria, using the device can put you at risk of oral infections, gum disease, and tooth decay. Chances are, your mouth will accumulate some of the foul smell, too, giving you dreaded bad breath. Gradually, the plaque will degrade the night guard, leading to a loose or poor fit that increases jaw pain and soft tissue irritation.

Don’t wait. Stubborn odors that won’t go away after all of these tricks mean there’s something deeper going on with your night guard. Order a new one and discard the old device before it impacts your oral health.

Conclusion

With regular cleanings and proper use of your ventilated storage case, your night guard should stay fresh and odor-free. But, like all things, it doesn’t last forever, no matter how amazing your cleaning routine might be.

When it’s time to replace your night guard or retainer, check out our JS Dental Lab professional options.