A nightguard is an oral appliance that is used to protect teeth from grinding and clenching. These conditions lead to excessive
forces being applied to teeth, which can lead to wear and structural damage.
Teeth grinding tends to occur during sleep, so most people with the condition are not even aware of it until a roommate or partner lets them know about their noisy habit. Teeth grinding is believed to be caused by a variety of factors like overactive jaw muscles, stress, a poor bite or emotional issues.
Taking care of your nightguard
A nightguard helps to cushion the forces applied to teeth due to teeth grinding. The appliance is inserted into the mouth and it protects teeth during sleep. Properly maintaining your nightguard allows you to increase its longevity. Here are some things you should be doing to keep your nightguard in good condition:
- Rinse it out in the morning: Nightguards should be rinsed with cool water in the morning to remove any plaque and saliva that accumulated on them during sleep.
- Clean it with a toothbrush: A toothbrush should be used to clean the night guard each day. There is no need to use any toothpaste since the abrasives in it can damage the appliance, leading to it wearing down faster. Gently brush the night guard with a toothbrush and rinse it with cool water.
- Air dry after use: Nightguards should be dried before being stored in a case. Find a clean, cool area to air dry it and place it on a paper towel. It takes about half an hour for most nightguards to dry out.
- Store it in the proper case: Nightguards typically come with a storage case provided by a dentist. These cases are designed to keep the appliance germ-free and clean, so use it as directed.
- Deep clean as needed: Regardless of how well nightguards are cleaned, bacteria will accumulate on their surfaces over time. Some of these bacteria can lead to illnesses when allowed to grow to unhealthy levels. A deep cleaning helps to remove bacteria building up on the appliance. This involves soaking the appliance in denture solution for about an hour or soaking it in antibacterial mouthwash for the same amount of time. Be careful not to overdo it since excessive soaking can damage the appliance
Protect your teeth with a nightguard
Often wake up in the morning with your teeth hurting, a headache or a sore jaw? It might be the result of teeth grinding. The habit will eventually lead to many of your teeth becoming damaged due to the excessive forces they are regularly exposed to. A nightguard helps to protect your teeth against these forces.
Give us a call or visit our New York clinic so our dentist can evaluate your condition. Treatments can be performed, and the dentist can provide you with a customized nightguard.
