The Dental Night Guard also known as "occlusal guard" can be a valuable treatment option to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of grinding or bruxism. If you have opted for a Dental Night Guard or occlusal guard to prevent bruxism, you should take proper care of it so that it can continue to protect your teeth for long and follow these instructions as far as possible. Following these Instructions will help you heal quickly and stay comfortable. In case you experience any complications, you are requested to contact our front office immediately.
Your night guard (occlusal guard) is custom made and made specifically for your teeth. It will only fit in one way in your mouth and should snap into place. Cleaning your night guard (occlusal guard) should be part of your daily oral health routine.
What to Expect after Dental Night Guard?
- Your teeth may become tender for initial few days due to being confined to the dental night guard (occlusal guard). Tenderness usually lasts from first 1-5 days and will not return.
- You may notice an increase in saliva flow due to the dental night guard in your mouth. The increase in salivation only makes night guard (occlusal guard) get more comfortable!
- Wear night guard (occlusal guard) strictly every night. The night guard must be worn every night to be effective and removed at the day time. If night guard (occlusal guard) are worn for an extended period, the night guard (occlusal guard) may no longer fit and may need to be remade.
Night Guard Care Instructions
- Rinse Immediately after Wearing: When you remove your night guard from your mouth after wearing it, rinse it with warm water. This will clear away any debris and loosen any plaque stuck to the night guard.
- Brush with your Toothbrush: After rinsing, brush your night guard (occlusal guard) lightly with your regular toothbrush. Some people prefer to use a separate toothbrush just for their night guard, but it's fine to use the toothbrush you use to brush your teeth every day.
- Note: It is not necessary to use toothpaste on the brush. Since toothpaste can be abrasive, it may scratch your night guard (occlusal guard) and cause it to wear out faster. Dish or Castile soap is a good nonabrasive daily cleanser for your guard.
- Lay your Night Guard on a Clean Surface and Allow it to Dry Completely: Allow your night guard to dry completely before storing it to prevent rapid bacterial growth. Allow your night guard to dry on a clean, flat surface. It should dry in 15-30 minutes on average.
- Always store your Night Guard (occlusal guard) in its case: You must store it in a case when you are not wearing your dental night guard. Many people keep their dental night guard in their bathroom, but the steam and humidity in the bathroom can cause the night guard to warp over time. Instead, we recommend keeping the night guard in your bedroom or nightstand. Avoid storing your night guard in places with extremely hot or cold temperatures. Please keep your night guards safely out of reach of your kids or pets.
- Deep Clean your Night Guard Monthly: Make it a habit to deep clean your night guard at least once a month. This can be done by using a nonabrasive denture cleaner available over the counter. Place your night guard in a glass or bowl of water and let the cleaner dissolve completely. After that, rinse with water and let the night guard dry completely.
- Pro Tip: Never soak your night guard in anything for more than one hour. Prolonged immersion in liquid can harm the material of your night guard. Also, do not soak in any alcohol-containing liquid, including Listerine.
- Keep Your Case Clean: Make sure that you use a clean night guard case to keep your night guard. Hand wash the case daily with regular dishwashing soap or castile soap to keep it clean. Avoid putting the case in the dishwasher, as the high temperature may cause the plastic to melt or warp. Allow the case to dry after washing to prevent bacterial growth.
How long does Night Guard (occlusal guard) last?
Durability and shelf life of Dental Night Guard (occlusal guard) will vary and depend upon a variety of factors. A dental night guard has an average lifespan of 6 months to 3 years, but depending on wear, it may need to be replaced in just one year. Remember to brush and floss your teeth before putting the night guard in your mouth for the night. Please bring your night guard (occlusal guard) to all dental appointments so we can examine and clean it.
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Medical Disclaimer:
The content of ADC-Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry's Blog/website is for information only, not advice or guarantee of any outcome. Information is gathered and shared from reputable sources; however, ADC-Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry is not responsible for errors or omissions in reporting or explanation. No individuals, including those under our active care, should use the information, resources or tools contained within to self-diagnosis or self-treat any health-related condition. ADC-Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry gives no assurance or warranty regarding the accuracy, timeliness or applicability or the content.
ADC-Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry accepts no liability for errors, inaccuracies, omission, or misleading statements. ADC-Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry excludes liability for any losses, demands, claims or damages of any kind regarding information, content, or services at this blog/website. The information may be updated at any time, especially as medical/dental discoveries and research evolves regarding the dentistry and its conditions. At no time does ADC-Centre for Restorative and Implant Dentistry take any responsibility for any action taken or care chosen in reliance on information contained in this blog or this website.
