Keeping your night guard clean and bacteria-free not only prolongs its life but also protects your teeth from plaque buildup. If you don’t clean it, your night guard becomes a breeding ground for bacteria buildup, which can end up causing tooth decay.
So here are some important tips for keeping your night guard clean.
Rinse Your Night Guard When You Wake Up
A good habit to get into is rinsing your mouth guard with water when you wake up. After rinsing, you can use a toothbrush to gently brush away any buildup from the night with non-abrasive toothpaste. However, whitening toothpaste can be abrasive and scratch your night guard. Brushing your night guard is an extra step that helps to keep it clean and fresh.
Soak Your Mouth Guard Periodically
Soaking your mouth guard periodically will also help to reduce bacteria buildup and you can do it in several different ways.
You can use a solution of mouthwash mixed with water to help clean and freshen it. Soak for about 30 minutes
Or for a deep clean, soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes and then rinse it with water. Then soak it in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes and rinse with water.
You can also choose to use an over-the-counter denture cleaner for deeper cleaning.
Soaking your night guard once a week will help keep it bacteria-free. However, be sure never to leave it in any solution for longer than 30 minutes because it could damage the material your night guard is made of.
Clean Your Case
Storing your night guard in a case is important because it protects it and keeps it out of the reach of interested children or pets. However, don’t forget to clean your case as well. Rinse and wipe it out daily so your night guard will have a fresh storage place.
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