A night guard or snore guard can be a great boon to a person’s dental health. When people suffer from bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding) or obstructive sleep apnea, these removable oral appliances prevent their teeth from rubbing together and keep their airways open. But they can become traps for bacteria if not cleaned properly, and we at Dr. Suzanne Haeri’s South Carthay dental office want to ensure our patients are maintaining their oral hygiene.
When a patient wakes up in the morning, they should remove their oral appliance and brush it. Night guard manufacturers often have instructions on their websites telling patients to clean their appliances with dissolvable tablets or soaking solutions. Those products may work well and can prevent a night guard from acquiring a bad smell, but brushing the appliance is still necessary to remove build-up and some people use retainers that double as night guards. Patients should clean with a soft-bristled toothbrush, but not toothpaste or the minerals may scratch the soft plastic.
Depending on their model, night guards vary in whether they should be kept wet or dry. But the case they are kept in should also be cleaned with antibacterial soap every day. Patients will also need to avoid using hot water or leaving the case in the sun or anywhere else it could get hot enough to distort the night guard’s shape. People should always brush and floss their teeth before using a night guard and should periodically have it professionally refitted.
Suzanne Haeri, DDS, is located at 1100 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90035. To set up an appointment, call 310-647-2200 or visit Suzanne Haeri DDS and fill out a request.
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