Night guards have saved many people’s teeth. We at Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem commonly treat people who have compromised enamel and jaw pain from nighttime teeth grinding, and we’re happy when people find a way to protect themselves. A custom-fitted night guard not only prevents teeth from rubbing together, it can also help people to breathe more easily. But like any oral appliance, a night guard had to be kept clean or it will contribute to halitosis and become a home for bacteria.
Night guard manufacturers make their own cleaning products and advise patients on how to care for individual products. Their websites often feature cleaning solutions or dissolvable tablets, and people can get good results with these, but they are still advised to scrub their night guards daily. Only soft-bristled toothbrushes should be used and toothpaste should be avoided. Plastic is not as resilient as enamel and can be scratched by fluoride and other minerals in toothpaste. It is a good idea to have separate toothbrushes for teeth and night guards.
The storage case for a night guard also needs to be cleaned daily with antibacterial soap. Unlike dentures, oral appliances may vary in whether they should be kept wet or dry, but like dentures, they are vulnerable to melting. A night guard should never be left in the sun, and only room temperature water should be used to clean it. A night guard may need to be refitted from time to time, but this should only be done by a dental professional, or else it may create dental misalignments.
Dr. Na Xu operates Healthy Smiles Family Dental at 2601 25th St SE #400, Salem, Oregon, 97302. Visit My Family Dentist Salem or call 503-385-1185.
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