Commonly used to treat bruxism and TMJ, night guards prevent your upper and lower teeth from coming into contact with each other, which reduces pressure on your teeth, jaw muscles, and joints. This can help prevent damage to your teeth, crowns, and other dental restorations.
Night Guards will have varying durability depending on a number of factors. A night guard will have an average lifespan of 5 years, but depending upon wear or bite strength it can need replacement sooner.
Your daily oral health routine should include cleaning your night guard. Follow these complete instructions for cleaning your night guard and it should stay in great shape for years to come!
Rinse immediately after wearing
Each time you wear your night guard you should rinse it with warm water as soon as you remove it from your mouth. This will remove debris and loosen any plaque that is stuck to the night guard.
Storing your nightguard after use
Always store your nightguard in a case! And it’s 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. Typically it should dry within 15-30 minutes.
Keep your case clean: 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. Avoid placing the case in the dishwasher as the high temperature may melt or warp the plastic. After washing, allow the case to dry.
Brush the nightguard with your toothbrush
After rinsing, give your night guard a light brushing with your normal toothbrush. 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.
*Note: You don’t need to apply toothpaste to the brush. Since toothpaste can be abrasive, it may scratch your night guard and cause it to wear out more quickly. Dish soap or Castile soap is a good non-abrasive daily cleanser for your guard.
Deep clean your nightguard monthly
Make a habit of deep cleaning your night guard as least once a month. There are a few methods you can use:
The first is by using an over-the-counter nonabrasive denture cleaner.
Simply place your night guard in a glass or bowl with water and allow the cleaner to dissolve completely into the water.
The second way to deep clean your night guard is by using a mixture of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave your night guard soaking in anything for longer than one hour. Extended time in liquid can damage the material. Also, don’t soak in any liquid containing alcohol – that includes Listerine.
You may also bring your nightguard with you to your regular cleanings.
We will professionally clean it for you during your appointment (free of charge!)