Both young and old patients have to dedicate adequate time and attention to cleaning their oral appliances. For anyone who wears a nightguard, mouthguard, or orthodontic aligner, the same holds true. There are certain rules to follow if you want to adequately ensure your oral appliances are cleaned. Here are some.
Do Not Use Toothpaste on Your Appliance
Toothpaste contains ingredients that are optimized for polishing hard tooth enamel. This may make them extremely abrasive to oral appliances, which can mostly come from soft plastic material. This can create noticeable scratches.
Do Not Use Bleach to Clean Your Appliance
The properties in bleach can cause the appliance to deteriorate. Even hot water can cause the same issues, as they lead to the deformation of plastic.
Use Liquid Detergent as a Cleaning Medium
What can be effective in cleaning your appliance is some mild soap and warm water. You can use a brush as well to aid you during the cleaning process.
Place a Towel in the Sink Basin During Cleaning
When rinsed and soapy, appliances can be prone to slipping. A hard fall may cause some permanent damage. By placing a towel in the sink basis, the potential damage can be mitigated.
Using an Ultrasonic Cleaner
These devices can be helpful for cleaning the tiny ridges and crevices of an appliance. Consider investing in these for a more comprehensive cleaning experience.
Your Boston dentist and team at Acro Dental can recommend additional methods for cleaning your appliances. Contact us today for an appointment.