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Night guards come in many variations, including over-the-counter, custom fit, or boil-and-bite night guards. It is essential to clean and maintain every night guard to avoid potential mouth and gum infections as well as bad breath.
Looking after your night guards right ensures they last long, stay intact, fit well, and remain germ-free.
Here’s all you need to know on how to clean your night guards the proper way:
General Cleaning
Water and Toothbrush
The go-to method for everyday cleaning is a simple wash with plain water. This should be enough, however, if you prefer them squeaky clean, you may brush them with some mild, unscented soap using your toothbrush and rinse them with warm water.
Deep Clean
Deep cleaning is required if you notice some plaque buildup, food deposits, staining, or if you detect some odor coming from your night guards.
Denture cleaner
This might not be readily available in every household, but it is a good investment if you often forget to clean your night guards. Denture cleaners thoroughly clean most removable dental devices. They’re good for cleaning your removable retainers, aligners, and even mouthguards.
If your night guards have some stubborn buildup that won't wash away with soap and a toothbrush, soak them in a denture cleaner according to the instructions provided by your brand and try brushing them again. This should dissolve the deposits and work well in most cases.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of vinegar to make a paste. Use this paste to clean your night guards as you’d use toothpaste to clean your teeth. With a soft bristle toothbrush, gently brush the inner surface of your night guard and rinse with plain water.
Mouthwash
If your night guards smell funny, this cleaning hack offers an easy solution. Mix equal parts mouthwash and water in a glass, and soak your night guards in it for 15 to 30 minutes. This will leave them smelling fresh and feeling clean.
Still Unclean?
If the above methods do not clean your night guards effectively, it's time to toss them out and order new ones.
Why Is It Important To Clean Night Guards
If you forget to clean your night guards and put them on for the night. The bacteria has all night to act on your teeth and gums. This prolonged exposure can lead to mouth sores, tooth, and gum infections, and bad breath.
Plaque buildup also affects the precision of custom-made night guards making them a poor fit, leading to discomfort, and ofcourse, contamination.
How to care for your night guards
- Keep them in their case.
- Clean them daily.
- Wear them on clean teeth.
- Avoid exposing them to heat, which deforms their shape.
- Don’t eat and drink with night guards on.
- Night guards must be cleaned daily with plain water.
- Replace them periodically.
- Avoid cleaning them with harsh chemicals.
- Avoid using abrasive substances to clean them.
FAQs
Q: Are custom night guards better than over-the-counter night guards?
A: Custom night guards are designed according to your dental impressions, and they give you a snug fit, making them more comfortable to wear.
Q: What is the thickness of Night Guards?
A: ALIGNERCO night guards come in three variations, soft, hard, and hybrid. The sizes offered are 1mm to 3mm.
Q: Can I drink with night guards on?
A: You can drink plain water with night guards on, for other drinks, we recommend you take them off.
Q: What is the purpose of a night guard?
A: Night guards are primarily used to prevent night-time teeth grinding also known as bruxism.
Q: Can I use these methods to clean my aligners?
A: You can use the same techniques provided to clean all your removable dental devices, like aligners, retainers, and mouth guards.
