Dental mouth guard - cleaning costs

ripplyuk

I clench my teeth at night so my dentist made me a mouth guard. I don’t grind my teeth so this guard has never worn out and it’s now many years old and becoming discoloured. My dentist advised me to clean it with normal toothpaste and brush but that obviously isn’t much good because it’s gone yellow. I started using retainer brite which does seem to help remove the yellowing but I was wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives. Can I soak it in household bleach instead? Or can I reuse the retainer brite for 2 days? It would half the cost but I’m not sure if it will still sterilise it properly after being used once. Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

theoretica

If the colour won't come off with toothpaste and toothbrush is it just cosmetic and does it matter what colour it is? 

ripplyuk

@theoretica Yes it matters. It looks disgusting. It’s putting me off wearing it. There’s also lots of nooks and crannies that are impossible to clean properly with a toothbrush. 

theoretica

Well, I would dump it in an ultrasonic cleaner then - but I already own one (er two).  I have no idea if the cheap ones sold for dentures work decently.

elsien

Can you not stick it in Milton or steradent, as you would with a plate.
if it’s lasted for years, do you still need it? 

ripplyuk

@theoretica What is an ultrasonic cleaner? 

@elsien I have Milton but using it every day works out about the same price and it doesn’t seem to remove the yellowing as much as the retainer-brite. Yes I still need it. The dentist says I clench my teeth at night and my teeth could get damaged without it. 

Toothsmith

The plastic it's made of does discolour a bit over time anyway - so it probably wouldn't look 'new' again whatever you tried.

I tend to recommend cleaning them just with soap and a (dedicated) nail brush. That gives them a good scrub with something that is less abrasive long-term than toothpaste (Toothpaste is designed for teeth which are a lot harder than relatively soft acrylic - plus, toothpaste is relatively more expensive over the long term!)

I wouldn't really recommend household bleach - but something like Miltons diluted like for babies bottles wouldn't be as aggressive, but don't soak it for too long (20-30 mins max). 

brook2jack2

An ultrasonic cleaner is one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sonic-Denture-Cleaner-Dentures-Professionally/dp/B002QAOC6K I've not used this brand , it's to give you an idea 

they are good particularly for dentures where , for whatever reason eg loss of dexterity , cleaning is not effective with a brush and soap only. 

never use hot water with Steradent as that and bleach will make the bite guard brittle and it will break easily.