How to Clean a Nightguard

A night guard helps protect your teeth during the night. Night guards may be used by people who grind their teeth or to help align your teeth if you have had braces. Night guards are clear plastic molds of your teeth. At night the wearer places the night guard over their teeth and the plastic protects them from the harmful effects of grinding while keeping teeth aligned at the same time. Proper care of your night guard is the key to dental health and will keep your night guard tasting fresh. Here is the proper method for cleaning a night guard.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush Toothpaste Paper towel Concentrated alcohol or hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

1. Brush your night guard after removing it from your mouth. Use a toothbrush and your regular toothpaste. Scrub the outside and the inside.

2. Rinse the night guard in warm water to remove the toothpaste. Dry the night guard with a paper towel.

3. Rinse the night guard case out with water and dry with a paper towel. Place the night guard back in the case until you are ready to wear it again.

4. Clean the night guard with a toothbrush and toothpaste if you have dropped it on the floor.

5. Rinse the night guard and place it in a bowl of concentrated alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for an extensive cleaning. Let it soak for at least fifteen minutes.

6. Rinse the night guard in warm water and dry with a paper towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not put your night guard in water that is hotter than you can drink. It can warp or crack the night guard.

References

• Cleaning a Night Guard