Quick Tips For Keeping Your Night Guard Clean

If you clench or grind your teeth at night you know the value of a good night guard. If you want your magic little appliance to enjoy a long life, it needs appropriate care. Here at Campbell and Williams Family Dental in Highland Village, TX we’ve come up with a few tips to help you care for your night guard.

Rinse it right after waking

As soon as you wake up, take your night guard out and rinse it under cool water. That will help plaque and saliva not to build up and feed bacteria growth.

Brush with your toothbrush

After rinsing your night guard give it a gentle brush with your toothbrush. Leave the toothpaste to the side, though; abrasive detergents in toothpaste can cause the plastic to degenerate.

Air dry in a clean spot

Before storing your night guard allow it to air dry in a clean spot. You could set the night guard out on a clean towel or cloth for about thirty minutes before storing it in its case. This will discourage bacterial growth and extend the life of the night guard.

Store in the right case

It’s always best to store your night guard in the case the dentist has given you. This keeps unwanted germs off your device and out of your mouth.

Deep clean the right way

Despite your best efforts to keep your night guard clean and appropriately stored, it needs to be deep cleaned occasionally to keep bacterial growth at a minimum.

Deep cleaning night guards in Highland Village, TX can be quick and easy. One option is to pop a tablet of denture cleaner or a capful of mouthwash into a glass of water with the night guard and let it sit for thirty minutes. Then allow it to air dry as usual. Make sure not to leave the night guard soaking more than an hour, as this can damage the material.

If you follow these tips, you’re sure to enjoy long lasting benefits from your night guard. Please feel free to reach out to us at Campbell and Williams Family Dental with any questions or concerns.