How often should you clean a night guard?
Make a habit of deep cleaning your night guard as least once a month. This can be done several ways. 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.
How do you clean a night guard?
You should rinse your night guard with warm water each morning immediately after removing it from your mouth. After rinsing, use a toothbrush to gently scrub away any lingering plaque or saliva. You may use a soft toothpaste as well, if you wish (abrasive toothpaste will scratch the plastic).
How do you clean a discolored mouth guard?
Soak. Soak your mouth guard next. You can do this with a mixture of bleach and water, hydrogen peroxide and water, or denture cleaning tablets and water. If you are using a bleach or hydrogen peroxide solution, use a 10:1 blend of water to bleach/hydrogen peroxide and rinse it thoroughly before wearing it again.
Can night guards ruin your teeth?
Often, deep grooves will eventually form in the night guard from the force of the grinding. The night guard prevents this same force from causing damage to the teeth. Without a night guard, enamel can be worn down excessively, leading to tooth sensitivity.
Can I soak my mouthguard in mouthwash?
Submerging your night guard in mouthwash will help kill the germs left on your mouthguard. After you have submerged it in mouthwash rinse it with cool water. Do NOT soak your night guard in mouthwash, as that may cause damage. … Gently brush your mouthguard and then rinse with cool water.
What is the white buildup on my mouth guard?
The white layer is a buildup of calcium from your saliva. Plaque and tartar from your mouth stick to your retainer too if you’re not cleaning it on a regular basis. Fill a cup with vinegar and submerge your retainer. In a few minutes, brush the retainer thoroughly.
Can a mouthguard make you sick?
Actually, we do! According to a study published by American General Dentistry (AGD), mouth guards can be the breeding ground to life-threatening bacteria, yeast and mold. Germs found in mouthguards can lead to strep and staph infections, which could leave the entire team on the bench.
Should I keep my night guard in water?
Some dentists recommend keeping nightguards in a plastic container, because this way, the container will protect the guard from dust and bacteria. Other dentists recommend keeping nightguards in a glass of cold water.
How long do night guards last?
On average, a night guard can last between 5 and 10 years. These times can vary based on the severity of your teeth grinding and whether or not you’re taking other steps to try and prevent it.
How do I know if my night guard fits properly?
If you are biting or clenching your teeth to keep your mouthguard in place while wearing it, your mouth guard does not fit. As stated before, your mouthguard should always stay securely and tightly on your upper teeth without falling or shifting.
Can I use Efferdent to clean my night guard?
Let the mouth guard soak for at least a few minutes, then remove and rinse with water. Denture Cleaning Tablets, such as Polident or Efferdent, also work well at removing bacteria and give the mouth guard a clean, fresh taste.
How do you clean a mouthguard naturally?
Soak the mouth guard in distilled vinegar for 30 minutes, rinse, and the soak it in the hydrogen peroxide for an additional 30 minutes, and then rinse it again thoroughly. You can also try a combination of mouthwash and water. Use a capful of mouthwash diluted in water (until the mouth guard is fully submerged).
How do mouth guards sleep comfortably?
Try putting your appliance in during the day for short periods of time and work on relaxing. The key is to breathe deeply through your nose and relax your entire body. Once you get comfortable wearing it for short periods during the day, you can start wearing it at night.