Careful maintenance of your night guard or whitening tray can greatly extend its life and make its use more pleasant.
After you use your appliance the first time, keep it moist. If it dries out, it might warp and not fit properly. Wrapping the appliance in a moist paper towel is adequate to preserve the shape. However, we recommend that you store it in a container of water or water-mouthwash mixture.
I prefer the taste of Scope and use a mixture of 1 part Scope and 2 parts water. After a few days, the Scope will begin to change color. That means it's time to discard it and make a new batch.
When you first remove the appliance, rinse it with cold water. Lightly brushing it can also help keep it fresh. Use cold water because hot water can warp the appliance. If you inadvertently use hot water, immediately put the appliance back in your mouth, and using a suction action, form it to your teeth. After a minute or two, remove the appliance from your mouth and rinse it with cold water.
Always perform your oral hygiene regimen before using the appliance. The appliance will absorb odors and tastes from your mouth so you should use it in a clean mouth. If the appliance develops unpleasant taste or odors, you can remove them. In a plastic container slightly wider than the appliance, put 1 teaspoon of bleach (e.g. Clorox). Add enough water to cover the appliance then place the appliance into the mixture, making sure it is completely covered. Remove the appliance after 5 minutes. Rinse the appliance with running cold water for several minutes to remove the excess bleach. The unpleasant taste and odors will be gone, but the appliance may taste like bleach for a few minutes after placing it into your mouth. This taste is not harmful and will fade quickly.
Once a year, bring the appliance to your routine examination visit to be checked by your dentist.
©2003 Dr. James S. Eaves, DDS
For information about the website, click here.
For our Notice of Privacy Practices, click here.