Keep Your Appliance Clean
Your oral appliance works hard to help alleviate your TMD or sleep apnea systems. We understand it’s easy to forget about it once you take it out of your mouth, so we like to remind our patients every now and then about how to keep your appliance clean and in good condition. This will help extend the life of this important aid in your TMD or sleep apnea treatment. Read the tips below on how to care for your oral appliance.
Did you know oral appliances collect plaque just like your teeth? That’s why it’s important to properly clean it on a regular basis. One of the most important things you can do is clean your teeth before using it. If you don’t brush your teeth, any food debris or bacteria will be trapped between your teeth and the appliance throughout the night. If this continues, it could lead to tooth decay and harm your appliance. On another note, make sure to rinse it before putting it in your mouth before bedtime. This will help wash away and food or bacteria that may be on it.
When you take your appliance out in the morning, rinse it with cool water and then use a denture brush and cleaner recommended by our office to clean it thoroughly. Make sure to get into every nook and crevice where bacteria like to hide. Please don’t use a toothpaste on your appliance because they are abrasive and can damage the appliance.
We recommend placing the appliance in it’s container after cleaning but leaving it open to air dry. You don’t want to trap a wet appliance in a container where bacteria can grow. Once a week you can also soak it in a recommended cleaner to give it a more thorough cleaning.
A couple other reminders to ensure the longevity of your appliance:
- Avoid leaving it in cars and other hot environments, as they can warp in high heat.
- Keep your appliance out of the reach of animals, who can easily chew and destroy your appliance if they get their paws on it.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about cleaning your oral appliance. We want to make sure it’s working properly for you. Until we see you again, have a great day!
