Brushing your teeth after custom mouthguard: the short version
You can brush immediately after a mouthguard fitting. The appointment is impressions or a digital scan, so nothing in your mouth has changed. Once the guard arrives, brushing becomes part of using it: brush and floss before it goes in, and clean the guard itself every day, since it sits against the teeth for hours.
What is actually going on
Impression material can leave rubbery flecks between the teeth and along the gumline, and brushing and flossing after the visit clears them. The longer-term point is what a guard does to the mouth during wear. It covers the teeth and keeps saliva from washing over them, so anything left on the enamel, plaque or the sugar from a late snack, is held there all night or all game. Brushing first removes that. The guard also picks up a film of bacteria and minerals that turns cloudy, smells, and can be passed back to the gums. Rinse it when it comes out and brush it lightly with a separate soft brush and cool water. Many makers advise against regular toothpaste on guard material, as abrasives can scratch it.
The first time, step by step
You can brush right after the fitting, and after an impression it is worth doing, since brushing and flossing clear the rubbery flecks left between the teeth. The more useful first time is the first night with the finished guard. Rinse the new guard in cool water and brush it lightly with a soft brush kept for that purpose. Brush and floss your own teeth, then seat the guard. In the morning, take it out, rinse it, brush your teeth again to remove the film that forms overnight, and leave the guard to dry. If it feels tight on one tooth, take it to your dentist.
Brush Teeth After Custom Mouthguard: What You Need to Know
Wait time
After a custom mouthguard, you can typically resume brushing your teeth immediately.
Why
No concerns
Tips for Brushing your teeth After Custom Mouthguard
- 01Keep a separate soft toothbrush for the guard so toothpaste residue and grit do not scratch it.
- 02Let the guard dry before closing it in a ventilated case; a damp sealed case grows odor quickly.
- 03Never use hot water on a guard, since heat can distort the fit that the impressions were taken to achieve.
- 04Take the guard to checkups so your dentist can inspect it for wear and clean it professionally.
Common mistakes
- 01Soaking the guard overnight in ordinary mouthwash. Colored rinses tint the plastic, and alcohol can dry and degrade it, so use the cleaner your dentist recommended.
- 02Brushing, then having a snack or a sweet drink before the guard goes in. Whatever is on the teeth at that moment is sealed against them for the whole night.
- 03Keeping the guard's brush and the damp guard shut together in a closed case. Both stay wet, and a sealed, moist case is where the stale smell comes from.
Other Activities After Custom Mouthguard
See when you can do other activities after your custom mouthguard:
Table 1 — Other activities after custom mouthguard
| Activity | Wait |
|---|---|
| Use a Straw | Immediately |
| Eat Normally | Immediately |
| Smoke | No restriction |
| Drink Alcohol | No restriction |
| Drive | Immediately |
| Exercise | Immediately |
Recovery info
Recovery timelines are general guidelines based on typical cases. Individual recovery may vary based on your health, the complexity of your procedure, and other factors. Your own dentist's or surgeon's post-operative instructions always take priority over anything on this page. Call them if you are unsure.