If Dr. Tinto has recommended a nightguard or occlusal splint to help alleviate your jaw pain or to help protect your teeth from clenching and grinding, it is important to know how to take care of and clean your nightguard. At our dental office on St. Clair and Dufferin, we understand that TMJ pain can impact your daily life, and using a nightguard is a safe and reversible treatment method to help prevent damage to your teeth and jaw joints. For more information and some FAQs, check out our page on TMJ dentistry here !
- Rinse your nightguard right when you take it out in the morning:
Every morning, when you take your nightguard off it will be full of saliva. Running the nightguard under lukewarm water will get rid of the saliva and keep it clean.
- Run the nightguard under warm (NOT HOT) water before you put it in.
Dry Nightguards are more brittle. If you put it on when it is dry it can crack the nightguard easily. Before you put your nightguard on run it under warm water so it can be more flexible.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub your nightguard.
Instead of throwing out the toothbrush that you get from Tinto Dentistry after your cleaning appointment, use it as a backup toothbrush to clean your occlusal splint!
- DON’T use toothpaste to clean your nightguard
Toothpaste is abrasive and will wear the nightguard down. It will greatly decrease the longevity of the nightguard. Instead, use a gentle soap or hydrogen peroxide to help keep the nightguard clean.
- Store your nightguard properly!
As Dr. Tinto always says- “ In your face, or in the case!”. If you put your nightguard in a tissue paper or napkin it is very easy to throw out when you’re cleaning without you noticing. Ask us how we know!
- Deep Clean Regularly
You can buy Denture cleaners (like Polident cleaners eg: like this ) that help break down any deposits that form on your nightguard. We usually recommend doing this about once a week.
7. Don’t put the nightguard in a dishwasher.
Extreme heat will destroy the nightguard. Please don’t put it in boiling water or in the dishwasher!!
8. Keep it away from dogs
The scent of the nightguard plus the fact that is can be chewy makes it a delicious chew toy for dogs. Keep the nightguard away from anywhere dogs can get it (In your face or in the case!)
9. Bring your nightguard with you to your regular dental cleanings!
When you bring your nightguard with you to your cleaning appointment, we can ultrasonically clean it so that it stays clean and sparkly. It also allows Dr. Tinto to inspect it to make sure the guard is still protecting your teeth.
10. Replace your nightguard when it’s time.
Depending on how much you clench or grind, this can be as long as a few years or it can be less than a year. If you see holes in the guard or if it becomes cracked it’s time to get a new guard. .
Conclusion
Remember, the purpose of the nightguard is to help alleviate jaw pain and to protect your teeth from the effects of clenching and grinding. Most nightguards last over a year. However, if it wears out sooner, it may indicate that it’s doing its job of protecting your teeth from habits of severe grinding and clenching. At our St Clair Dentist office, we want to be preventive rather than reactive. It’s much easier to prevent a tooth from cracking than to replace a cracked tooth! Remember prevention is worth its weight in gold!.
If you are experiencing TMJ pain and want to have a consultation with Dr. Tinto regarding the different treatment options,click HERE to book now
