How to Clean a Night Guard

One of our specialties at Alta Loma Dental Care is providing customized night guards for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Also called snore guards, night guards are removable oral appliances that keep the teeth apart during the patient’s sleep so they won’t rub together. They also reposition the jaw to help keep the patient’s airways open. But as with any oral appliance, bacteria will build up on the night guard unless it is kept clean.

Nightguard manufacturers also make cleaning solutions and other hygiene products they advertise on their website. These products are often of high quality, but the patient should still brush the appliance after removing it each morning. A soft-bristled toothbrush will remove the bacterial film that develops in the patient’s mouth. However, the patient should not use toothpaste on the night guard, as the gritty minerals are likely to scratch its soft plastic and do not provide any benefit.

Unlike dentures, some night guards are meant to be kept dry when not in use. But regardless of how they are stored, the case should be cleaned every day with antibacterial soap. It’s also important to keep the case away from anything too hot and out of sunlight because the night guard’s shape could be distorted. A patient’s teeth may migrate naturally over time, which would require the night guard to be adjusted, but patients should not attempt to do this on their own.

Alta Loma Dental Care is at 7283 Carnelian St, Alta Loma, California, 91701. To schedule an appointment, call 909-987-6268 or visit Alta Loma Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Alta Loma Dental Care is a family practice, and we’re proud to be observing National Children’s Dental Health Month. Each year, the American Dental Association sets aside this month to educate children on an important theme. This year’s focus is on how to properly use fluoride toothpaste.

Fluoride helps provide teeth with more protection against the acid caused by bacteria. It is commonly delivered through water and children’s teeth are treated with it during their check-ups. Although baby teeth are not permanent, it is still painful when they have decay. The pain may disrupt a child’s sleep, eating habits, and speech development, and cause them to perform poorly in school. Additionally, poor oral hygiene could become a habit, but if a child learns to brush properly, they will have taken their first step toward managing their own health.

When brushing, people should always use soft-bristled toothbrushes and brush for a full two-minute session. They should brush on every tooth surface and on their tongues. Fluoridated toothpaste should be spat out after use so that it doesn’t cause the teeth to develop white spots. It should also only be used on natural teeth, not on things like mouthguards.

Alta Loma Dental Care is at 7283 Carnelian St, Alta Loma, California, 91701. To schedule an appointment, call 909-987-6268 or visit Alta Loma Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.