How to Clean a Night Guard

Night time teeth grinding can seriously damage a person’s enamel and cause them a lot of jaw pain. We at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs are pleased to see patients with bruxism using night guards to protect themselves, but night guards need to be cleaned properly. Otherwise, they could become a source of halitosis and covered in bacterial build-up.

In the morning, a wearer should brush the night guard after removing it. As with anything dental-related, only a soft-bristled toothbrush should be used. Although soaking a night guard in soap and water or a cleaning solution will eliminate some bacteria, most manufacturers still recommend daily brushings. But fluoridated toothpaste is unnecessary and should be avoided; the minerals in it could scratch the night guard’s plastic, giving bacteria a hiding place.

While dentures should be kept wet at all times, night guards need to be patted dry and put in a clean, ventilated case. (Washing the case every day is also a good idea.) The case should not be left anywhere hot enough to put the night guard at risk for warping, and the wearer should not attempt to adjust it themselves. It is expected that the wearer’s teeth will migrate slightly, but a night guard can usually be refitted professionally.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Inlays and Onlays

If you have heard someone use the term partial crown, they are talking about inlays and onlays, which our dentists, Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour provide. Inlays and onlays are a dental procedure performed to strengthen a tooth and prevent damage if it is weakened and at risk of breaking. It is a less invasive procedure than covering a tooth with a crown completely. An inlay is used when there is a damage and it must be placed partially inside the tooth, while an onlay goes right on top of a tooth that doesn’t have as much damage to the cusps of the tooth.

 

Before placing inlays and onlays, we must first remove any decayed portions of the tooth. Then, an impression is made and sent to a lab where the inlay or onlay is made. In approximately 2-3 weeks, the restoration is complete and can be bonded to the tooth. We do this with very strong cement for a stable hold. Inlays and onlays last about the same time as crowns, which is approximately 10-15 years. The better a patient takes care of their teeth, the longer it lasts.

 

To learn more about getting inlays and onlays from Southern Cross Dental, call us at (719)471-1717.

Night Guards

If you or your sleep partner is suffering from teeth grinding, you know how it can interfere with getting a good night’s rest. At Southern Cross Dental, we offer solutions for teeth grinding using custom-made mouth guards.

 

Teeth grinding involves clenching the jaw and gnashing the teeth unconsciously during sleep. The exact cause of teeth grinding is not known, but it is very common and occurs in both children and adults. It some instances, grinding the teeth can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain and headaches. We offer custom fit night guards in order to treat teeth grinding. The night guard acts as a barrier between your top and bottom teeth, which prevents grinding and gnashing of your teeth.

 

The process of making a night guard is easy. We start by taking an impression of your teeth, and the guard is then made in a dental lab. Since your night guard is made specifically for you, it fits comfortably and allows you to breathe normally. In addition to night guards, we offer a variety of services including periodontal treatment, bonding, extractions and other services.