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A Night Guard is an orthodontic device also known as a dental guard that helps prevent the clenching and grinding of teeth. Like any other orthodontic device; braces, clear aligners, or retainers, a night guard requires proper maintenance for effective results. Moreover, maintaining your night guard is also essential to ensure oral health. This blog will discuss why maintaining a night guard is crucial and how to do it effectively.
Understanding Night Guard
A Night Guard is a dental appliance that helps people who are habitual to clenching and grinding during sleep. The main purpose of wearing a night guard is to protect your teeth and jaws from the adverse effects of teeth grinding. Teeth grinding can lead to tooth damage, sensitivity, jaw pain, and severe headaches, so wearing a night guard can be the best protection.
How to maintain a Night Guard
It is extremely essential to maintain a Night Guard to avoid any sort of bacterial buildup. Moreover, if a bacteria is set up on your night guard, it can ruin it impacting its overall performance. The following are some of the ways to maintain your night guard and get the ultimate protection for your teeth.
Toothpaste
A toothpaste is the easiest way to clean your night guard. Use a nonabrasive toothpaste for effective cleaning. However, it is essential to use a soft-bristled brush to prevent your night guard from getting any scratches. Additionally, it is ideal to keep a separate brush for cleaning a night guard. Here is how to clean it effectively with toothpaste.
1.Rinse your Night Guard with lukewarm water.
2.Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush.
3.Gently brush the Night Guard.
4.Rinse off the toothpaste.
5.Let the Night Guard dry.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an effective ingredient for removing debris and removing bad odors from your night guard. Create a paste of baking soda with water. Dip your dental appliance into the mixture and gently use a brush to clean. Use a brush to gently clean it and rinse it with water later.
Mouthwash
A mouthwash has antibacterial properties making it an ideal fit for cleaning your dental guard. However, it is essential to use alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent your appliance from any damage. Here are the steps to follow for cleaning your night guard with mouthwash.
1.Rinse your Night Guard with cool water.
2.Add a capful of mouthwash to a glass.
3.Dilute with water until there’s enough liquid to cover your Night Guard.
4.Soak it for at least 30 minutes.
5.Remove and rinse with cool water.
6.Let your Night guard dry.
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar
The blend of both hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can have in-depth cleaning effects. Here’s what to do:
1.Place your Night guard in a glass.
2.Add enough vinegar to cover the night guard.
3.Let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
4.Remove and rinse your night guard with cool water.
5.Return the Night guard to the glass.
6.Add hydrogen peroxide.
7.Let it stay for 30 minutes.
8.Rinse your Night guard with cool water.
9.Let it dry.
To sum it up, a Night Guard is an essential appliance for people with bruxism issues. It separates the upper and lower teeth preventing them from grinding. Teeth grinding can lead to enamel damage, headaches, jaw pain, and other complications which makes night guard an essential dental appliance. However, for effective protection, it is essential to maintain your night guard well by thoroughly cleaning after every use.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of a Night Guard?
A Night Guard is a dental appliance to prevent upper and lower teeth from grinding.
2. How to maintain a Night Guard?
A Night Guard requires proper maintenance for effective results like any other dental appliance. You can maintain your night guard by cleaning it with toothpaste, baking soda, mouthwash, or a mixture of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
3. Why is it important to clean a night guard?
To ensure good oral hygiene it is essential to maintain your night guard. In case you do not maintain your night guard, there is a high chance of bacteria entering your mouth.
