Night guards have ample benefits. If your dentist recommends you receive one, it’s most likely for good reason – it can help you prevent grinding and preserve the functionality of your teeth. However, for it to be effective, it’s important to take good care of it. Following are some ways you can ensure your night guard stays clean and well-kept for as long as you have it.
Brush it Every Day
After taking your night guard out, lightly rinse it to get any plaque off and brush it with a toothbrush. You may use the same brush that you brush your teeth with or use a separate one. This will get rid of any additional plaque, bacteria, or little particles stuck on it.
However, it’s important to note that you should not use toothpaste when brushing it. Toothpaste can be abrasive so it could scratch or bend the night guard. The pressure from the bristles should be enough to clean it.
Store it in a Case
Whenever you’re not wearing it, it’s important to keep your night guard in a case. After rinsing and brushing it, before putting it in the case, let it completely dry by laying it out for about 30 minutes on a clean cloth. This will prevent rapid bacteria growth.
Keeping your night guard in a case protects it from many different things. If you leave it out on the counter in the bathroom, it’s exposed to humidity, which can cause it to warp and become misshapen. If you have pets or young children, they may get their hands (or paws) on it and chew or break them. If they’re not covered, they are also exposed to dirt, dust, and debris from the air.
Deep Clean it
About every week or so, you should give your night guard a deep clean. There are a few different options for doing this, one of which is buying a denture cleaner. You’ll place your night guard in a bowl of water and drop the cleaner tablet in, which will dissolve and clean your night guard. You can also do an at-home version of this, which is by mixing vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together and letting it soak for about 30 minutes.
Make sure to read all instructions on the denture cleaning and for any homemade solutions, as soaking it too long can bend and warp your night guard. Also never soak your it in any liquid that has alcohol, because that’s sure to ruin the material.
Contact Us Today
Custom fit night guards are a great solution to bruxism, which is excessive teeth grinding. If you suffer from teeth grinding and clenching and haven’t found a solution, we encourage you to come into our office for an evaluation.
We offer a full range of general dental services, including preventative, restorative, and cosmetic services. Give our friendly staff a call today for superior dental care and a lifetime of healthy smiles!