General information, not dental advice. Your orthodontist's instructions come first.

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Night guard and mouth guard care: cleaners, soaks and daily habits

A guard is thicker than a retainer, so tank size and soak labels matter.

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The Best Mouth Guard and Night Guard Cleaners

Cleaners and soaks that fit a thicker guard.

How to clean a guard, below

How to clean a mouth guard or a night guard

The AAO's retainer routine and the soak labels that list guards. Your dentist's directions come first.

  1. Rinse it as soon as it comes out

    Lukewarm water, never hot: the AAO's line for retainers, since heat can warp plastic. AAO

  2. Brush it every day

    A dedicated toothbrush and dish soap, no toothpaste. AAO

  3. Soak it by the label

    Both list guards: Retainer Brite 15 minutes in warm water, Efferdent 3 in very warm water. Labels

  4. Store it in its case

    "The case protects it," KidsHealth says of retainers. KidsHealth

A machine for a thick guard?

Zima lists night guards; owners say bulky ones fit tight in the 150 ml Pod. The Pod Pro holds 190 ml. ZimaOwners

The Pod Pro in the top list

Every night guard care guide

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Best Ultrasonic Cleaners for Dentures

Bigger tanks for a denture or a bulky guard.

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Night guard care questions

Can I clean a night guard in an ultrasonic retainer cleaner?

Zima lists night guards among what its pods clean, and Sonic Dental lists night and sports guards for the Sonic Pro. Check your guard maker's care guide too, and note that bulky guards fit tight in a 150 ml tank, owners say.

Which soaking tablets work for night guards?

Retainer Brite's directions list nightguards and bruxing appliances, with a 15-minute soak; Efferdent's page lists nightguards, with a 3-minute soak. Both contain persulfates, so skip them if you are allergic.

Is a bigger tank better for a night guard?

A bigger tank fits a thicker guard more easily: the Dental Pod Pro holds 190 ml against 150 ml on the original, per Zima. The 600 ml Magnasonic MGUC500 is sold for jewelry, not dental appliances.