Your new mouth guard is supposed to be comfortable, and make your head, neck and jaw more comfortable as you use it. If it does not meet these goals, please make an appointment to have it adjusted.
The mouth guard is to be used primarily for sleeping, but it can be used any time it fits into your lifestyle. Good times to use it would be driving, working over a drawing board, or a cutting board, or in front of the computer. It can be especially helpful when exercising.
Be sure to write your name and phone number on the case, so it can find its way back to you if you leave it in a locker room or hotel room.
To clean the mouth guard:
- Brush it when you brush your teeth. Toothpaste works fine.
- Soak it in denture cleaner at least twice a week. The mouth guard will eventually absorb odors and stains, and denture cleaner, such as Polident ®, Efferdent ®, or generic brands, will keep it deodorized.
- Don’t use hydrogen peroxide to soak it, as this will stiffen it.
- Don’t use essential oil mouthwashes to soak it, as these will soften it.
Remember, the mouth guard should be checked periodically for wear and for effectiveness. The posture of your bite may need to change from time to time, too. Bring it with you when you get your periodic check-up, as this gives us an opportunity to keep it maintained.
Bring the mouth guard with you to appointments with your physical therapist, chiropractor, or osteopath, so they can evaluate it in the light of their work. Do they agree that your head and neck function well when you gently bite on it? Does it create any distortion in your head and neck when you bite on it? If so, please have them write us a note, and we’ll readjust the mouth guard to correct it.