Best Ways to Keep Your Night Guard Clean and Disinfected

Looking for a solution that will help you protect your teeth from injury? Night guards may be an ideal solution for you. Read this blog to learn more about this dental device that helps to preserve your teeth. 

To protect your teeth from damage and injury caused by clenching and grinding your teeth at night, you should consider wearing a nightguard. Extreme teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism) can potentially cause tooth damage, jaw discomfort, and headaches. Consult with a dentist near you immediately if you experience any of these signs.

These devices are also referred to as bite splints, mouth guards, occlusal guards, dental guards, or nocturnal bite plates. The top or bottom pair of teeth are covered by soft or hard plastic pieces that mimic retainers. For sleep bruxism, night guards are a common solution. By protecting your teeth from the force of clenching and preventing the teeth from grinding together, night guards can help you avoid headaches, broken teeth, and inflamed gums.

Apart from night guards, our dentist in Winnipeg also suggests stress reduction, maintaining a sleep log, dietary and medication changes, as well as other forms of treatment to treat these conditions.

Our expert dentist at Polo Park Dental recommends night guards if you: 

• Extremely grind and clench your teeth 
• Participate in physical activities like boxing, football, basketball, hockey, or soccer
• Engage in high-fall-risk activities like ice skating, bicycling, or gymnastics
• Snore
• Have sleep apnea
• Have TMJ 

Why Cleaning Your Night Guard is Important

Your mouth may become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria if your night guard isn’t thoroughly cleaned and, in turn, can severely damage your oral health.  Bacteria may start to grow and cause plaque buildup, bad odor, and an increase in the risk of developing cavities, or even an infection.

Here are a few tips for maintaining the pristine cleanliness of your night guard and retainers.

1. Rinsing 

When you remove your night guard or retainer in the morning give it a good rinse in cool or lukewarm water. You’ll want to avoid using hot water because it can warp the material. 

2. Clean your night guard with your toothbrush

Brush your night guard carefully with a toothbrush with soft bristles. This aids in cleaning any plaque or saliva that has adhered to your retainers. Avoid using toothpaste because the abrasives can harm your night guard or retainer.

3. Store them appropriately

It’s essential that you keep your braces and mouthguards safe, hygienic, and protective. Additionally, you should also routinely clean your case. Wash your case with dish detergent, and avoid using a dishwasher as the heat could melt the plastic. Before putting your mouthguard in a container, make sure they are completely dry because moisture can encourage the growth of bacteria.

4. Deep cleaning 

If you regularly deep clean your retainers, they can last longer. To clean your night guard, use:

• A cleaning tablet 
• Mouthwash or Hydrogen Peroxide
• Antibacterial soap
• Baking soda
• Vinegar 

If you want to clean your retainers or get a new pair of night guards near you contact our experts at Polo Park Dental. We have a group of experienced specialists who advise and help patients with their dental issues. In order to ensure that your oral health is in excellent shape, we also offer a wide range of other dental care services. It is crucial to take care of both your oral health and the appliance we use to safeguard your teeth to prevent any severe damage to your teeth. 

Contact us and schedule your appointment if you are looking for night guards in Winnipeg.