As you wear your night guard, it can pick up debris and bacteria. If you don't look after it properly, it may become damaged and you will end up buying a new one. Not looking after your night guard properly can also lead to problems in the mouth including misaligned teeth.
Night Guard Cleaning Care
You might have many questions on how to look after your night guard, it's a simple task but it is absolutely essential to protect your night guard from any damages. Carry on reading our guide to cleaning and looking after your night mouth guard.
Can I Clean My Night Guard Using Toothpaste?
Yes, you can clean your night guard using tooth paste. The best tooth paste to use is a tooth paste with antibacterial action. If your dentist or the company you bought the guard from recommends a particular tooth paste, you should use that one. Just like with your teeth, take your time and brush your mouth guard every morning.
One thing that you should not do, is to clean your night guard with alcohol. Surprisingly to many users, alcohol damages your night guard. You may have to buy a new one sooner than you think if u continue to use alcohol.
Can I Soak My Night Guard In My Mouth Wash?
You should never soak your night guard in mouth wash during the day. It is easy to think that a mouth wash solution will continue to clean and keep your guard hygienic during the day. But, mouth washes are meant for quickly swirling around your mouth and not long term cleaning.
A surprising number of mouth washes contain alcohol which can lead to your night guard becoming damage. Instead, you should soak your mouth guard in cold water. If you want a bit of extra cleaning power, you can dissolve a denture cleaning tablet in the water. When you take the mouth guard out, it is important to rinse it with water. To make it taste fresh, you can always give it a clean with toothpaste.
Inspect It For Damage
It is important to keep your night guard out of harm's way. You don't want pets to get hold of it or for it to fall on the floor. As often as you can, you should inspect your night guard for any damages. For instance, if you use an electrical tooth brush when cleaning your mouth guard, you should be extra careful.
Most of the time, it is best to use a soft toothbrush instead of an electrical toothbrush when you clean your mouth guard. When you go for a dental check up, take your night guard along with you. Your dentist can check that it still fits properly. It is particularly important to get your dentist to check your night guard if you have a custom one.