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Night guards go on your teeth before you go to bed and stay there all night. If they are contaminated, you have just landed bacteria on your teeth and provided them with a moist breeding ground (your mouth) where they can multiply all night, leading to potential gum infections and tooth decay.
A night guard is a dental device designed to act as a cushion between your teeth to protect against the effects of teeth grinding and clenching primarily. Several prominent brands of night guards have emerged amongst which the custom option is becoming increasingly popular. At-home custom night guards offer comfort and protection as well as the convenience of obtaining a personalized fitting guard without a visit to the dentist. Be it custom night guards, boil or bite, or a ready-to-wear option, taking care of them right is equally essential.
To avoid unpleasant dental infections, odors, and sores, it is highly recommended that you only wear clean night guards on your teeth.
To maintain the proper hygiene of your night guard it is essential to go beyond the basic rinse. Without further ado, let's explore the various options available to clean your night guards as well as their pros and cons. We will also discuss what makes a good night guard cleaner stand out and provide tips on how you can ensure the optimal hygiene of your night guards so that you never have to worry about oral hygiene issues.
Ultrasonic Night Guard Cleaner
This is a night guard cleaner machine designed to take on the work needed to clean your night guards properly. It comprises a small tub with a built-in mini ultrasonic wave generator sometimes accompanied with UV lights, and it will work once plugged in. There are a number of variations found in the market, some of which may include built-in timers, different frequencies, and varying numbers of LED light bulbs.
How to use it
Fill the tub of your ultrasonic night guard cleaner with water and switch it on. You don’t have to use a dental cleaner since this technology relies on manual cleaning with ultrasonic waves. These waves generate thousands of tiny bubbles that dislodge contaminants at a microlevel. The presence of UV light bulbs helps with extra disinfection.
Pros
- It offers an effective cleaning without requiring the manual effort of applying the product and brushing your night guards.
- It can also be used several times and requires just water alone. There are no added purchases or recurring costs involved.
Cons
- The initial cost can be high, and they need to be placed in a splash-free zone, where water will not damage its exterior or electric parts.
- It relies on electricity to work and can be bulky to carry for those looking for a travel friendly option.
- Some brands recommend using a cleaning product along with the ultrasonic cleaner, this will add to the recurring cost.
Dental Night Guard Cleaner
These come in the form of a liquid, paste, or foam. Designed to be applied directly to your night guards and rinsed away. They are different from tablets as they don’t require night guards to be soaked in and left to dissolve stains. A good quality Night guard cleaner such as the one offered by ALIGNERCO will work effectively within a minute to remove bacteria and stains to keep your night guards fresh and clean.
How to use it
Apply the night guard cleaner directly to the dental tray. Spread it on the surface to coat it evenly. You may use a toothbrush to reach its grooves or crevices or rub it gently with your fingers to get the product on all parts of your night guard and rinse afterward.
Pros
- These are specifically formulated to target bacteria, plaque, odor, and staining, hence resulting in effective cleaning of your dental night guards.
- Affordable, they usually cost ranges from $26 to $50 and last up to three months.
- They are probably the fastest method to clean your night guards after plain rinsing. Since the method does not involve any soaking, submerging, or waiting period.
Cons
- They need to be purchased regularly, which may lead to a recurring cost.
- They require manual cleaning.
Nightguard Cleaner Tablets & Powder
These are concentrated forms of the product and can come as a tablet or powder. Both forms will work similarly and are designed to remove odor, stains, and plaque. Generally, these are non abrasive and multipurpose and work well for aligners, dentures, retainers, as well as night guards.
How to use it
Stir in the cleaner tablet or powder in a cup of water. Once dissolved, submerge your dental night guards in the solution, wait for the prescribed time, and rinse.
Pros
- Since these are specifically designed to clean night guards they have ingredients that offer effective cleaning and stain removal.
Cons
- They have to be purchased regularly, which can add to their recurring cost.
- They require a waiting time after the night guards are left submerged for the product to act on them.
- They require more effort in terms of filling a container, dissolving contents, and waiting.
Diy/Homemade Night Guard Cleaner
If you don’t have a cleaning product at home. There are several options available when choosing to clean your night guard at home. Remember, these are not specifically formulated cleaners, or tested to prove their efficacy; therefore, they should not be opted for as a long term substitute.
The most popular at home night guards are the following :
Baking soda and vinegar
Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with equal amounts of vinegar to make a paste. Apply this paste to your night guard and leave it to act for a few minutes before rinsing it with plain water.
Pros:
- The method is easy and affordable.
- The ingredients can be found at home, saving on extra costs.
Cons:
- Baking soda can be abrasive and cause scratches on the surface of your dental tray.
- There is no evidence to prove that it effectively kills bacteria.
Hydrogen peroxide
This method involves soaking your night guards in a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide (max 5% strength) and water. Leave your night guards in it for up to 15 minutes and rinse.
Pros:
- Kills germs effectively as hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant.
Cons:
- Effort is involved in terms of mixing and waiting time.
- Leaving the night guard in the solution for longer than thirty minutes or in a high-concentration of hydrogen peroxide can permanently damage your night guard.
The Best Night Guard Cleaner
A good night guard cleaner must provide effective cleaning with minimal effort and be affordable for long-term use. Ideally, it should be easy to use, easily available, and should not damage your night guards. We highly recommend using dental night guard cleaners such as the ALIGNERCO Multi Purpose Cleaner because they work well, clean effectively, and are easy to carry when traveling.
How To Clean Your Night Guards Right?
Your night guard cleaning routine will depend on your lifestyle and oral hygiene habits. If you wear your night guards on clean teeth and maintain good oral hygiene practices, you don’t have to clean them thoroughly with a cleaner every day. Here’s what we recommend:
Everyday Clean
1. Rinse: For everyday cleaning, just rinse your night guards under plain water twice. Once before you place them on at night and again, after you take them out in the morning. This should keep them clean.
2. Brush: If needed, use a soft bristle toothbrush to gently scrub away any food deposits, or biofilm on the surface of your night guard and rinse with plain water.
3. Dry: Leave your night guard on a clean surface to air dry or pat dry with a clean microfiber towel before storing them in their container until next use.
Thorough Clean:
You may use one of the night guard cleaners mentioned above to clean them thoroughly. Simply apply the products to your night guard or dip them in a night guard cleaning solution (depending on your product of choice), and rinse them with water before placing them on your teeth.
Use the above-stated method of night guard cleaners to give them a thorough clean every once a week. This should keep them disinfected and stain-free. However, depending on your lifestyle and routine, if you feel your night guards need a thorough cleaning more often or develop an odor, you can clean them thoroughly every three days.
Expert Tips:
Custom night guards are superior when compared to other over-the-counter options because they offer a comfortable fit, which is essential for a peaceful sleep. Scratches or shape distortions can compromise their shape and comfort. Follow these recommendations to ensure your night guards stay intact for long.
Clean Teeth: Wear them on clean teeth, ideally after brushing and flossing– it is not just the night guards that can transfer bacteria to your teeth and gums, it can be the other way around too, your mouth transferring bacteria to your night guards! Either way, the result is the same.
Store Right: Always store them in their dedicated containers to avoid contamination and scratches.
Daily Clean: Rinse them daily with plain tap water. Use lukewarm water and a soft toothbrush if needed, and dry them completely before placing them in their container.
Replace: Keep an eye out for signs of replacement. If your night guards have visible scratches, structural deformities, stains, warping, or an odor that won’t go away with a thorough cleaning, it's time to toss them out and order new ones.
Temperature: Custom night guards are crafted from material that distorts under extreme temperatures. Keep yours away from extreme heat and cold to retain their shape.
Custom-made night guards are increasingly becoming the most common type used as protection against bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) and temporomandibular joints (TMJ) disorder symptoms.
These custom-made night guards can come in several variations, such as soft, hard, or hybrid night guards. You can choose your night guard depending on the intensity of your bruxism. Whatever you choose, cleaning them right is essential to maintain the oral health of your teeth and increase the longevity of your night guards.
FAQs
Are these cleaning methods only for night guards?
Cleaning methods and care tips that are recommended for night guards will also work for clear aligners, custom sports mouth guards, and clear retainers.
How often should I clean my night guards?
Night guards must be cleaned daily following the abovementioned daily cleaning methods, and they should be cleaned thoroughly (explained above) at least once a week.
Can I use toothpaste to clean my nightguards?
Most custom night guards are clear and toothpaste tends to stain them. Some toothpastes also contain abrasive material that can cause scratches on your night guard, affecting their shape.
Can I clean my night guards with Mouthwash?
Generally, leaving your night guard in a mouthwash solution for prolonged times can damage the surface of your night guard. A colored mouthwash can also stain your night guards.
How often should I replace my night guard?
Custom night guards will wear over time due to teeth grinding. They need replacement every 6 months; however, heavy grinders may need an earlier replacement.
Should I thoroughly clean my night guards before wearing them or before storing them?
You should clean your night guards thoroughly before storing them. This ensures they are clean to wear the next night while also preventing bacteria growth in the container that would result when dirty night guards are stored.
