Here is an odd, germ type question

[sunlver]

During the past week, it seems that the stomach virus has passed through our house. It has been 5 yrs since Ive had that..anyways..now to the germ question.
Ok.. I sleep with a bite guard each night because of my teeth clenching. The night I got sick, I had it in my mouth for a few hours, felt sick and took it out. I do brush it every morning..BUT.. I am afraid to put it back in my mouth?
Is is safe from germs to use again?
I know a crazy question, but it is not like you can spray it off with a can of Lysol? Can germs still live on it, I guess I was afraid of getting sick again.
I know it is such an odd question, but what do all you experts think???

 

[Erin1700]

can you run it through the dishwasher with no soap? just to get the hot water to clean it?

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I clean my retainer, that I wear to prevent grinding, with Efferdent. My dentist told me not to brush it. I would soak the night guard in Efferdernt or Listerine or even hydrogen peroxide.

 

[sunlver]

I clean my retainer, that I wear to prevent grinding, with Efferdent. My dentist told me not to brush it. I would soak the night guard in Efferdernt or Listerine or even hydrogen peroxide.

Very interesting..my dentist told me I should brush it each morning..but I didnt even thing about peroxide to kill germs..thanks so much

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Wash it with peroxide or listerine, then rinse it off. No big deal. You won't poison yourself. Probably a good idea every once in awhile anyway.

 

[Microcell]

I fourth the Hydrogen Peroxide.

Just so you know from what my limited science has taught me, I seem to recall that the vast majority of germs do not survive on a dry surface.

Also, if you did get the germs on it from your stomach virus I would think your body would know how to fight it now that you have already had it.

Otherwise, yeah, doesn't hurt to clean it!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Very interesting..my dentist told me I should brush it each morning..

I wonder if they are made of different materials. My retainer is hard "plastic" like the ones kids wear after braces.

 

[sunlver]

I wonder if they are made of different materials. My retainer is hard "plastic" like the ones kids wear after braces.

Yes, that is how mine is as well...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It's not an odd question, it's a good one!

Yes, you should wash it. Dishwasher's great (if it can go in there).

My kids were both sick this week and I cleaned all the toothbrushes and surfaces very well. I also wipe down surfaces in the bathrooms twice a day to try to keep germs at bay. I generally do these things anyway, but more often when people are sick in the house.

 

[clovergirl5]

Wash it with peroxide or listerine, then rinse it off. No big deal. You won't poison yourself. Probably a good idea every once in awhile anyway.

Or like pp said, run it through the dishwasher. That is what I do with toothbrushes when the kids get sick or boil them. Can a mouthguard be boiled?

 

[clh2]

I would be careful about exposing this to "heat" unless you know for certain you can do this.

My daughter just finished up her ortho treatment, and has a night-only retainer. They were very specific about keeping it out of the heat. I.e. do not leave it in a suitcase in a hot car etc.

 

[englishteacha]

I'd say Listerine or peroxide.

 

[locolala]

I agree with the listerine or peroxide. I have a nightguard too and I wash it everyday using listerine. Keeps the germs down and keeps it from smelling, which is actually caused by germs lol.

 

[MizTink]

I fourth the Hydrogen Peroxide.

Just so you know from what my limited science has taught me, I seem to recall that the vast majority of germs do not survive on a dry surface.

Also, if you did get the germs on it from your stomach virus I would think your body would know how to fight it now that you have already had it.

Otherwise, yeah, doesn't hurt to clean it!

not necessarily, you should always either replace or clean toothbrushes (or a bite guard) after being sick. i put our in the dishwasher.

 

[sunlver]

not necessarily, you should always either replace or clean toothbrushes (or a bite guard) after being sick. i put our in the dishwasher.

My bite guard cost me close to $400 ,no replacing that

 

[skater]

My bite guard cost me close to $400 ,no replacing that

Me too!

I soak mine in efferdent every day - definately not allowed to use extreme heat.