How should you keep the anti-snore mouthguards clean and hygienic?
Snore guards, primarily known as snoring mouthguards are mouthpieces that are designed to stop snoring. Similar to other sleep apnea appliances like Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), and Tongue Stabilization devices, the mouthguard for snoring also protects the snorers from various damaging effects of snoring.
Wearing this appliance while sleeping will pull the lower jaw slightly forward hence that the position of muscles in the lower jaw and tongue base is adjusted. It makes these muscles not relax into the uvula region. Thus the airflow obstruction is corrected thereby the hoarse sound that occurs as a consequence is also prevented.
As the anti-snoring mouthpieces spend hours inside a person’s mouth, the wearer should keep the appliance clean. Keep reading to get the snore guard cleaning tips.
What will happen if the snoring mouthpiece is not kept clean?
Similar to other dental appliances like dentures, and clear braces, the mouthguards for snoring will become a hotspot of harmful oral bacteria with improper maintenance. The microbes in a snorer’s mouth cling to the appliance while it is kept inside the mouth. Right?
If it is not cleaned properly, bacteria accumulation on the mouthpiece will take place. It paves multiple ways for hurting the oral cavity. We have seen many people develop mouth soreness and tonsillitis after wearing untidy anti-snoring mouthpieces for hours every day.
Meanwhile, wearing such messy oral appliances will put the oral tissues at tension causing much discomfort. Hence proper hygienic activities are important to inhibit such bacteria build-up for oral health’s well-being.
What are the anti-snoring mouth guard cleaning tips dentists prescribe?
We advise our patients who get anti-snore mouthpieces to brush their teeth before going to bed. It is because keeping their mouth clean before wearing the mouthpiece will prevent bacteria breed to a great extent while they sleep.
Likely, the following tips are prescribed to disinfect the snoring mouthpiece:
- Rinse it immediately after removing – Whenever the mouthguard for snoring is removed, rinse it with a cup of water at room temperature or lukewarm water. It eliminates the microbes clinging to the mouth guard and loosens the sticky substance formed.
- Brush the snore guard gently – After rinsing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the appliance thoroughly. The snore guards are made up of thermoplastic material so you have to clean them gently else the device will be damaged.
- Use water or liquid dish detergent alone for cleaning – Don’t use cleaning agents like toothpaste to disinfect your snore guard. It is because the harsh ingredients in regular toothpaste cause cracks or bruises over the device. Hence use lukewarm water or liquid dish detergent alone for cleaning the appliance.
- Allow it to dry completely – Once the appliance is rinsed and brushed thoroughly, lay it on a clean surface to let it dry completely. Remember that the moist environment will encourage bacteria to breed. Hence we advise our patients to wear the device after it dried completely.
- Do deep cleaning of the snore guard once a week – Soak the anti-snore mouthpiece in a cup of water for more hours in a day and then clean it as we discussed above. Such deep cleaning is essential to ensure the mouthpiece is devoid of bacteria and germs.
Needless to say, keep the mouth guard in its container after cleaning until you wear it at night.
Similar to toothpaste, you should not use the following cleaning agents to clean snore guards to avoid damage:
- Hard (or) Stiff-bristled toothbrush
- Denture Cleaner
- Hot water
- Alcohol
- Handsoap
Bottom line
Snore mouthpieces are highly comfortable among other sleep apnea devices to get rid of snoring. Aside from guaranteeing a peaceful sleep, the mouthpiece shields the snorers from various detrimental consequences of snoring. However, the snore guards will become the host of oral bacteria if it is not maintained as advised.
The cleaning tips we shared here will help you to enjoy the advantages of snore mouthguards. Want to know more about the do’s and don’ts in anti-snoring mouthpiece cleaning? Contact our dentists here today.
