Is there a better way to clean my night guard? when i got my night guard, my dentist said all i needed to do to clean it was soak it with some of those denture tablets every other week, and rinse it off after waking up. i've been doing both of those thing

I : I would recommended rinsing and brushing it after removing it in the morning. You may need to soak it in the cleaner more often than every other week. If you can get your hands on an ultrasonic cleaner, it usually work the best. Some dental offices will be able to clean it for you with professional cleaners and polishing it. Consider trying a different brand of cleaner. For one reason or another some work better that others. I personally use retainer brite with good success.

Ask : Ask your dentist if he/she has a sand blaster in the lab. All my patients who have removable work such as dentures, night guards, etc. Bring then to their regular check up and cleaning. The dental appliance is sand blasted, all accretions are removed and i re-polish the work. It looks like new. If your dentist has a lab in the office, or nearby, they should be able to provide the service. Best wishes, dr. Zev kaufman.

Tacoma, I : Tacoma, i don't know if there is a right answer. I instruct my patients to brush their guard every morning then leave it dry in their case. Every time they come in for a cleaning, we ultrasonic it in a professional strength denture cleaning solution. Seems to work. Hope this is helpful, michael i. Wollock, dmd, agd fellow dentistry at suburban square 610-649-0313 www.Dentistryatsuburbansquare.Com.

The : The one thing you do not want to clean a nightguard with is toothpaste/toothbrush. This can be abrasive to the guard, and bacteria/stain can accumulate very quickly. I advise warm-soapy water. Using a little bit of hand soap and rinsing it off completely is what is best.

SCRUB : Scrub you mouth guard with soap and water and soak it in an effervescent cleaner every two or three days. I do not recommend bleach as it damages the acrylic and makes it darken with time. Every time you go to your dentist for a check up and cleaning bring your appliance with you and have them do an acid wash . This will really clean up the guard nicely dr neil mcleod dds dentistry that lasts - quality that counts.

Once : Once and a while after brushing your night guard with regular toothpaste every night, you can soak it in bleach during the day. Dont do this every day, but just once in a while to disinfect it. Take a capful of bleach and put it in the nightguard container diluted with water. Soak it in the solution all day. Rinse it off well before putting it in your mouth that night.