10 Tips To Take Proper Care Of Custom Nightguards

We all know that good oral health is essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that if you wear a custom-fit night guard, it can make an even bigger difference? A custom nightguard, designed to fit perfectly with your mouth and teeth structure, helps protect the hard and soft tissues in your mouth against the negative effects of grinding or clenching during the night. Not only will this offer protection for your teeth, but it can also improve your overall comfort while sleeping. In this blog post, we’ll discuss tips on maintaining and caring for a custom nightguard so that you get maximum benefits from wearing one.

How To Take Care Of Your Custom-Made Nightguards?

Taking proper care of your nightguards is a relatively easy task. You need to follow a few simple guidelines. 

Clean regularly

It’s important to clean your nightguard regularly with mild soap and lukewarm water. You can also use a denture cleaner or an effervescent tablet to keep it clean and free from bacteria. 

Store safely

Always make sure to store your nightguard in a secure container when not in use. This will help keep it safe from dust, dirt, and other contaminants that could damage it over time. 

Avoid extreme temperatures

Do not expose your nightguard to extreme temperatures, such as hot water or boiling liquids, as this can cause irreversible damage to the material or distortion of the shape of the guard itself. 

Don’t dry with heat

After cleaning your nightguard, never place it near any direct heat source, such as a hair dryer or oven, because this could cause deformation or warping due to heat exposure. Instead, let it air-dry completely before storing it away in its case or container. 

Don’t share with others

Sharing your nightguard with someone else can lead to cross-contamination and potential infection or illness due to bacteria buildup on the device itself. So it’s best not to share yours with anyone else.

Replace regularly

Most dentists recommend replacing a custom nightguard every two years for optimal results since the material may wear down over time if not taken care of properly. So make sure you follow through with regular replacements if needed!  

Visit the dentist regularly

It’s essential to visit your dentist on a regular basis for checkups and cleanings, even if you wear a custom nightguard because they will be able to identify any issues early on before they become larger problems down the line that would require more extensive treatment such as root canals or crowns—both costly procedures!  

Follow instructions carefully

Be sure to follow all instructions provided by your dentist closely when using your custom nightguard; this includes wearing it only while sleeping as directed and removing it before eating/drinking anything except water. Doing so will help ensure maximum protection against grinding/clenching while still allowing enough room for natural movement during sleep without the discomfort caused by too much pressure against teeth/jaw joints!  

Rinse after each use

After each use, rinse off any saliva or food particles that may have accumulated on guard during its use by rinsing thoroughly with cold water—this will help prevent staining or discoloration due to these materials clinging onto surfaces over long periods without proper cleaning!  

Stay vigilant about repair/safety checks

Ensure you check for tears/holes in the material and any other signs that might indicate repair needs. Also, keep an eye out for anything unusual, like sharp edges, which may require filing down before continued use. These small steps go a long way toward ensuring maximum safety when wearing your custom nightguard!  

Taking proper care of your custom nightguards is essential for maintaining their effectiveness in protecting against temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), grinding teeth, and other issues associated with oral health-related activities during sleep hours. Always consult professional dentists if there are any doubts or questions regarding how best to take care of them. They should be able to provide tailored advice based on individual needs! By following these ten tips closely, you’ll be able to extend their lifespan significantly while also getting maximum protection throughout their duration of usage.