Mastering Night Guard Care: Ensuring the Perfect Fit and Daily Maintenance

by Support Remi March 08, 2024 8 min read

Mastering Night Guard Care: Ensuring the Perfect Fit and Daily Maintenance

Introduction

Do you want to keep that dazzling grin looking great? It's not just about the daily brush and floss routine. If you're grinding your teeth at night or facing other dental issues, a personal night guard could transform your nights. Having one does mean you've got some extra stuff on your plate though. Taking care of it is key to making sure it works well and sticks around. We're diving into all things night guard maintenance in this blog post!

You'll get the lowdown on how to pop the night guard in right so it feels comfortable while doing its job protecting those pearly whites. Plus, we’ll give you tips on finding a wearing schedule that fits with what you’ve got going on day-to-day without cramping your style. Don’t worry, keeping it clean isn't rocket science as we’re here to walk you through every step so germs won’t stand a chance.

On top of all that goodness, we can't forget to check up on our trusty guards regularly. You need to catch any wear and tear early to stay ahead of the game. So, there are lots more than what meets the eye when rocking a custom-fit guard for your chompers. We’ll also talk about maintaining these lifesavers properly, so let’s make sure they stick around for as long as possible because who doesn't love a stress-free smile?

Steps for Proper Insertion of Your Custom Night Guard

Are you investing in a custom night guard? Smart move! It's your first line of defense against the nightly teeth grind or jaw clench. Do you know how to make sure it actually does its job right? Let’s get down to business with fitting it correctly.

Start by giving that night guard a gentle rinse under some warm water. Cleanliness is key here. Do you have an upper or a lower one? Line it up with those chompers and press down evenly using your fingertips until you hear that satisfying click as it snugs into place. Looking for the sweet spot where comfort meets security. If tightness creeps in, loosen up. We’re going for snug-as-a-bug levels here.

No two mouths are twins, and neither are any two guards alike. That perfect fit won't gag you but will cradle each tooth like they're something precious. If at first slipping on that protector feels weird, just keep trying!

Run your tongue over the inside – is everything smooth there? Are there no rough edges playing tag with your cheeks or messing with how you bite down? Great, we want our nighttime sentinel to be both comfy enough to forget about and tough enough not to let anything slip past while we catch some sleep.

Have you ever noticed an uptick in drool or a bit of unease when you pop in that new night guard for the first time? Don't sweat it, that's totally expected as your mouth gets cozy with its new buddy. Keep at it, and before long those weird feelings should take a hike.

Sneaking that night guard into place isn’t just about shielding those pearly whites either. Take a second next time. Deep breaths and loosened jaw muscles make all the difference not only for comfort but cueing up your whole system for high-quality sleep. Think of slipping on your night guard like clockwork part of saying goodbye to daylight. Right there alongside brushing and flossing, we're talking superb oral care regime here!

Determining Your Ideal Wear Schedule for Maximum Benefits

So, you've probably heard about rocking that custom night guard every time you hit the sack. But, let's be real for a second. Have you ever thought if there’s wiggle room in that rule? Here's the scoop, being regular with it is where it’s at. Picture sliding on your night guard like slipping into pajamas. It just feels right. Still, could there be times when giving it a rest for the night might not cause chaos? Maybe so, but think twice! Missing out even once can invite old habits like teeth grinding back to the party and nobody wants to wake up feeling rough or dealing with oral troubles.

Your dentist knows all about your chompers and how much you grind them. They're totally clued up when setting up how often you need to sport that guard. Some folks need to gear up during super stressful days or take short snoozes if daytime gnashing gets real. Spot those moments when your jaw muscles go rogue since that’s exactly when skipping out on protection isn’t smart.

Have you wondered if the way you live or your unique schedule messes with when you should wear your night guard? Think about folks who work night shifts. Their 'night' isn't always at night. For them, it's super important to pop in that night guard whenever they hit the hay, whatever time their main snooze happens. It’s all about shielding those chompers from grind damage whenever you're catching some sleep, not just after dark.

Paying attention to what your body tells you is key, too. Have you ever gotten out of bed with a sore jaw or an achy head because you ditched the night guard? That right there is a no-brainer sign not to miss nights wearing it. Give those pearly whites and jaws consistent love by keeping up with protection every sleep cycle. You'll likely find yourself jumping out of bed feeling more chipper than ever as long as using that protector becomes second nature.

Best Practices for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Night Guard

Got a custom night guard? Keeping it sparkling is as important as wearing it! Think of a clean guard as the key to a happy, healthy mouth. Plus, getting into the habit of cleaning your guard will help it stick around for longer. After use, give it a good rinse with some cool water to get rid of all the gunk and grime. Instead of reaching for toothpaste, which is too rough, grab yourself a soft-bristled toothbrush and some gentle soap to caress those surfaces free from nasty plaque and bacteria. You don't want any stinky smells or worse, infections creeping in.

Beware though, hot water can mess up your night guard's shape, so skip that scalding rinse-off session. And steer clear from any harsh cleaners as they'll just wear out your gear faster than you'd think. If you're looking for an extra sparkle on occasion, there are special solutions designed just for night guards, but always read those directions carefully before diving in. Once scrubbed and gleaming white again; lay out your night guard on something squeaky-clean to air dry completely because you do not want any micro-party crashers setting up shop while tucked away.

Taking good care of your night guard isn't only about keeping it sparkly. It's also about making sure you handle it with some TLC. Try not to gnaw on that protector while popping it in or out. Doing this could mean saying hello to bite marks or even rips down the road. Be kind to your protective buddy and count on them continuing their knight duty over those chompers each night.

Tips for Safely Storing Your Night Guard When Not in Use

Do you have a night guard? Remember, it still needs TLC even when you're not using it. Make sure to stash your clean, dry night guard in the case made just for that purpose. Keeping dust bunnies, curious pets, or adventurous kiddos at bay is easy this way. They won't mistake something so important for playtime.

So where do you tuck away this protective treasure? Dodge those sneaky sunbeams and keep clear from any cozy heat sources. They could totally throw things out of whack by bending or reshaping your safeguard while it rests. A drawer on your bedside table or tucked inside a bathroom cabinet can be clutch spots, close enough when needed but snugly shielded from harm’s way and life’s unexpected fumbles.

What about when taking trips? If you're jet-setting or road-tripping, don't leave your night guard behind. Stick to your daily habits even when you step outside of what's familiar. A sturdy case is a must-have for keeping your guard secure while on the move. Remember to treat it to a clean spot because no matter where life takes us, our teeth need that unwavering shield.

You might be tempted to stash away that night guard in the bathroom, but wait! The humidity there could turn into an open house for germs with all that moisture around. If you’re picking the bathroom as its resting place, make sure you have it locked tight in its case and parked somewhere not too damp, and steer clear of piling it next to sinks or showers.

How to Regularly Check Your Night Guard for Fit and Signs of Damage

Protective gear, like your custom night guard, isn't immortal. It's bound to show some wear and tear as the nights roll on. Do you want to keep it in top-notch shape? Make a habit of checking for signs of trouble, such as visible cracks, little tears, or any holes peeking through. Do you spot something funky? That could be your cue that effectiveness is taking a hit, and that is where the Remi Club replacements come in handy.

Ensuring that perfect fit is super important, not just so you're comfortable but also to make sure the guard does its job right. Do you ever feel like things are getting snugger than usual or maybe too roomy all of a sudden? It could be normal wear doing its thing, or perhaps there have been tiny shifts in how your teeth line up. But, don’t freak out. It’s probably nothing major, but can be an extra reason why touching base with folks at the dental office should shoot straight onto your "to-do" list.

Notice any weird stains or funky smells on your night guard? That could mean trouble. Sure, they tend to get a bit discolored over time. That's pretty standard. But if we're talking heavy-duty yellowing or it reeks even after you've given it the brush-off, there might be more going on than meets the eye, like its quality taking a nosedive or nasty germs throwing a party in there. Have you scrubbed those night guards nightly to keep things minty fresh but still no luck? Time for some expert advice.

Think of your night guard as an ace up your sleeve when it comes to maintaining those pearly whites. It deserves just as much TLC as your teeth do with regular check-ins from both you and the pros. Giving them each their due diligence means every evening you can hit the hay without fretting about grinding away at those chompers while catching some sleep. How awesome is resting easy knowing everything is taken care of?

Conclusion

Keep your custom night guard in top shape, and it'll last you longer while doing its job right. Getting into the groove of popping it in right and wearing it like clockwork means comfortable nights and solid protection for your teeth. Scrub it clean on a regular basis to keep germs at bay and stop wear and tear from creeping up on you too soon. Stash it somewhere safe from all those environmental nasties when not in use and don't forget to give it a quick once-over now and then to catch any fit issues or signs of damage early. Stick with these pro tips, and slipping that guard into place will be just another easy part of snoozing every evening, keeping worries away while safeguarding your smile.


Try Remi Risk-Free


Your Remi Night Guard comes with a 45-night perfect fit guarantee. This means that up to 45 days after receiving your night guards, if your night guards don't fit or you're not satisfied, Remi will make you a new set of night guards for free or refund your order.



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