How to Clean Your New Night Guard

If you suffer from frequent teeth grinding and clenching while you sleep, you may already have a custom night guard to protect your teeth. If you don’t, our team at Mill Valley Dental urges you to purchase one. Cleaning your new night guard is easy and requires only a few simple ingredients.

You should rinse your night guard with warm water each morning immediately after removing it from your mouth. After rinsing, use a toothbrush to gently scrub away any lingering plaque or saliva. You may use a soft toothpaste as well, if you wish (abrasive toothpaste will scratch the plastic).

When your night guard is clean, you should make sure it is completely dry before storing it in its freshly-sanitized case. Keeping your night guard in a damp, humid location will encourage the growth of bacteria.

At least once a week, you should deep clean your night guard. You can choose from several methods, including:

– Over-the-counter denture cleaner: Place your night guard in a bowl of water, then add the cleaner and allow it to dissolve completely

– Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide: Soak the night guard in vinegar for at least 30 minutes, rinse with water, and then soak it in hydrogen peroxide for another 30 minutes.

– Mouthwash: Mix mouthwash with water and soak the night guard for 30 minutes.

For more information about keeping your night guard clean, don’t be afraid to call Mill Valley Dental at 415-578-5879. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!