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How to properly care for your new Night Guard

Night guards can be a valuable tool when it comes to protecting your teeth from the harsh effects of grinding or clenching. Now that you have a night guard, it’s important that it’s cared for properly so that it can continue protecting your teeth for as long as possible. Your daily oral health routine should include cleaning your night guard. Follow these complete instructions for cleaning your night guard and it should stay in great shape for years to come!

Rinse Immediately after Wearing

Each time you wear your night guard you should rinse it with warm water as soon as you remove it from your mouth. This will remove debris and loosen any plaque that is stuck to the night guard.

Brush the Night Guard with your Toothbrush

After rinsing, give your night guard a light brushing with your normal toothbrush. Some people prefer using a separate toothbrush just for their night guard, but it’s okay if you want to use the toothbrush you use to brush your teeth daily.

Note: You don’t need to apply toothpaste to the brush. Since toothpaste can be abrasive, it may scratch your night guard and cause it to wear out more quickly. Dish soap or Castile soap is a good non-abrasive daily cleanser for your guard.

Lay your Night Guard on a Clean Surface and Allow it to Dry Completely

It’s important to allow your night guard to dry completely before storing it, as to prevent rapid bacterial growth. Choose a clean, flat surface to allow your night guard to dry. Typically, it should dry within 15-30 minutes.

Always Store Your Night Guard in a Case

When you are not wearing your night guard it is important that you keep it stored in a case. Many people store their night guard in their bathroom, but over time the steam and humidity in the bathroom can cause the night guard to warp. We recommend that you keep the night guard stored in your bedroom or on your nightstand instead. Be careful not to store your night guard anywhere subject to extreme hot or cold temperatures. Be aware that pets love new chew toys, please keep your night guards safely out of reach of your pets.

Deep Clean your Night Guard Monthly

Make a habit of deep cleaning your night guard as least once a month. This can be done several ways. The first is by using an over-the-counter nonabrasive denture cleaner. Simply place your night guard in a glass or bowl with water and allow the cleaner to dissolve completely into the water.

The second way to deep clean your night guard is by using a mixture of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Soak the night guard in distilled white vinegar for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the night guard and the bowl with water. Then soak the night guard in hydrogen peroxide for at least 30 more minutes. Once finished, rinse with water and allow the night guard to dry completely.

If your Nightguard is in need of a more extensive cleaning, we provide this service for a small fee.

Pro Tip: Don’t ever leave your night guard soaking in anything for longer than one hour. Extended time in liquid can damage the material your night guard is made out of. Also, don’t soak in any liquid containing alcohol – that includes Listerine.

Keep Your Case Clean

Cleaning your night guard can become a wasted effort if you put a clean night guard into a dirty case. Keep the case clean by hand washing it every few days with regular dishwashing soap or castile soap. Avoid placing the case in the dishwasher as the high temperature may melt or warp the plastic. After washing, allow the case to dry as to prevent bacteria growth.

How Long Should My Night Guard Last?

Night Guards will have varying durability depending on a number of factors. A night guard will have an average lifespan of 5 years, but depending upon the wear, it can need replacement in just 1 year.