If you have just been prescribed a night guard by your dentist to help with TMJ, Bruxism, or teeth grinding, then congratulations! This is a great step in helping to improve the health of your teeth and jaw.
However, it is important that you take proper care of your new night guard so that it can serve its purpose effectively. In this blog post, we will discuss 7 tips on properly caring for your new night guard.
Table Of Contents
1. Keep your mouth clean
You can keep your new mouthguard sparkling clean as much as you want, but it won’t matter if your mouth isn’t! Before you put your night guard in, make sure to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly.
This will help remove any food particles and bacteria that could contaminate the guard when it is worn —and don’t forget to give your mouthguard a quick rinse with water right before putting it in!
2. Rinse your guard first thing in the morning
Taking care of your mouthguard is important if you want it to last longer and continue protecting your teeth and jaw. If you’re a morning person, it may be tempting to jump right out of bed and head for the coffee maker before doing anything else.
But here’s a great reason to pause for a few moments before your day starts: rinsing your mouth guard should be first on your list! It’s an easy step that will help keep bacteria at bay, preventing discoloration and degradation.
If you already wear a night guard and have noticed some discoloration, make sure to visit JS Dental Lab to learn what you can do about it!
3. Never use toothpaste to clean it
If you’re used to brushing your teeth multiple times a day, it may seem logical to keep up the same practice when it comes to your night guard.
However, toothpaste is too abrasive for your night guard and could scratch or weaken the material over time, making it much less effective at what it was intended for.
Instead, simply use a soft bristled toothbrush and warm water to clean your night guard. There’s no need to buy an extra toothbrush for your new mouthguard either —just use the same one you use for your teeth, and make sure to rinse it off after each use.
4. Let your night guard air-dry before storing
Sleeping with a night guard is an important part of keeping your teeth and jaw safe from the painful effects of grinding, but cleaning it first thing in the morning is just as important.
You need to make sure that bacteria and plaque doesn’t grow on it, but you don’t want to be too hasty while cleaning.Not only does this give your mouthguard a safer environment, but can even double its lifespan.
Plus, it’s such a simple step to add into your morning routine that keeps your teeth from some serious damage down the line. It only takes 15-30 minutes to dry out completely, so a little patience can go a long way!
5. Always store inside a clean case
After you’ve let your night guard air-dry, it’s time to put it away. It is essential that you store your night guard in a clean case —meaning that you should also make it a habit to clean your case regularly with liquid dish soap. This will help keep your mouthguard from collecting dirt, dust, bacteria, and other undesirables.
6. Keep out of reach of pets
Pets may be cute and cuddly, but they are also sneaky! Make sure to keep your night guard far away from your pets’ paws,Also, never let your pet chew on your night guard —this could be dangerous for them and cause your mouthguard to be permanently damaged.
7. Deep-clean once per week
This is possibly one of the most important tips for properly caring for your new night guard.
It is essential that you deep-clean your night guard once a week (or at least once per month) by soaking it in distilled vinegar for 30 minutes, rinsing, soaking it in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes, and rinsing with water.
This will help keep bacteria and plaque at bay, ensuring that your night guard remains hygienic and effective in protecting your teeth.
Conclusion
Properly caring for your new night guard is essential if you want it to last and keep your teeth as safe as possible. Follow the seven tips above and you’ll be on your way to a better, healthier night’s sleep in no time!
