Night guards can be a valuable tool when it comes to protecting your teeth from the harsh effects of grinding or clenching. Now that you have a night guard, it’s important that it’s cared for properly so that it can continue protecting your teeth for as long as possible. Night guards will have varying durability depending on a number of factors. Your daily oral health routine should include cleaning your night guard. Follow these instructions and your night guard and it should stay in great shape for years to come!
Note: We are happy to clean your night guard for you. Just bring it along to your next visit!
Each time you wear your night guard you should rinse it with cold (not hot!) water as soon as you remove it from your mouth. This will remove debris and loosen any plaque that is stuck to the guard.
Give your night guard a light daily brushing. Some people prefer using a separate toothbrush just for their night guard, but it’s okay if you want to use the toothbrush you use to brush your teeth daily. Do not apply toothpaste to the brush. Toothpaste can be abrasive and it may scratch or wear out your night guard more quickly. Dish soap, castile soap, or a mix of water and hydrogen peroxide are all good non-abrasive cleansers for your night guard.
Pro tip: Don’t ever leave your night guard soaking in anything hot or containing alcohol - that includes Listerine. Heat and/or alcohol will damage the material that your night guard is made out of.
It is important to allow your night guard to dry completely before storing it, as to prevent rapid bacterial growth. Choose a clean, flat surface to allow your night guard to dry. Laying your night guard in its open case is perfect. Typically, it should dry within 15-30 minutes.
When your night guard is not being used, it should be stored in a case. Many people store their night guard in their bathroom however, over time the steam and humidity in the bathroom can cause the night guard to warp. We recommend that you keep the night guard stored on your nightstand. Be careful not to store your night guard anywhere subject to extreme hot or cold temperatures. Be aware that pets love night guards as chew toys, so keep safely out of reach of your pets!
Cleaning your night guard can become a wasted effort if you put a clean night guard into a dirty case. Keep the case clean by hand washing it every few days with regular dishwashing soap or castile soap. Do not run your case or nightguard through the dishwasher, as high temps will melt the plastic. After washing, allow the case to dry as to prevent bacteria growth.
A healthy and beautiful smile is not only an attractive asset, it is essential to your overall well-being. At Alta Dental, you will receive the finest quality dental care delivered in an environment that is both comfortable and caring.
With today’s array of sophisticated and modern dental technology even the most challenging smiles can be transformed into ones that dazzle. We use the most advanced techniques to provide all our patients with outstanding results! Come check us out today!
