Maintaining your plate or mouth guard 

Whether you’re teeth grind, clench or are uneven, there are a variety of reasons why your dentist might make you wear a plate or mouth guard. It is essential that you take care of these orthodontic tools by carrying out routine maintenance to prevent damage and growth of bacteria. In this week’s blog, we discuss how to look after your plate or mouth guard. 

1) Rinse your mouth guard or plate after use 

Each time after you take your mouth guard or plate out, you need to rinse it. This will remove debris and loosen any plaque that might be stuck to the mouth guard or plate.

2) Clean your mouth guard or plate with a toothbrush  

The most common way to clean your mouth guard or plate is with a toothbrush. You can clean your mouth guard and plate the same way you would brush your teeth. However, don’t apply toothpaste to the brush as this can potentially leave scratches, damaging your mouth guard or plate. And while this is an easy method to keep your mouth guard sanitary, we recommend using more techniques on top of this one. 

3) Let your mouth guard or plate dry completely 

After wetting your mouth guard and plate, it’s essential you let it dry out fully. This will prevent rapid bacterial growth. Typically, your mouth guard or plate will take 15–30 minutes to dry. 

4) Always store your mouth guard or plate in a case 

It’s critical that your mouth guard or plate is stored in a case. Also, be sure to not store this case in the bathroom as the steam and humidity can cause the mouth guard to change shape. A better storage environment for your mouth guard or plate is in your bedroom. 

5) Weekly deeply clean 

Each week, make sure to give your mouth guard or plate a deep clean. This can be done with an over-the-counter denture cleaner, using a mix of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide or by combining mouthwash and water. Make sure to never leave your mouth guard or plate soaking for over an hour as this can damage its material. 

At Eden Rise Dental, we take the health of your teeth seriously. We want to make sure you’re not just looking after your teeth but the tools which help correct your teeth, too. If you have a dental concern or would like to speak to someone from our team, please contact us on (03) 9702 6111. We’re always happy to chat.