How to Clean a Night Guard

A night guard can be a blessing for a person’s oral health. These custom-fitted appliances prevent a wearer’s teeth from grinding against each other while they’re asleep and can reposition the jaw to reduce obstructive sleep apnea. But a night guard that isn’t properly cared for could become an infection nightmare, which is why we at the dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk want our patients to know how to keep them clean.

When a wearer removes a night guard in the morning, they should brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. The guard may also be soaked in a purpose-designed solution or cleaned with soap and water, but manufacturers still generally recommend brushing them to remove bacterial build-up. It may be a good idea to use a secondary toothbrush just for the night guard because the fluoride minerals in toothpaste could scratch plastic. It’s also important to use cool or room-temperature water to avoid warping the night guard, and to store it somewhere it won’t get too hot.

Maintenance for night guards is similar to that for dentures with one major difference: the night guard should be kept dry. Wearers should also clean the guard’s ventilated case each day and pat it and the night guard dry. Some migration in a patient’s teeth is natural, so wearers should expect to sometimes need the night guard to be professionally refitted.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

 

Teeth Whitening

At Miami Dental we offer GLO chairside teeth whitening for patients who want teeth that are spotless and bright. It is recommended that patients come and see one of our dentists to learn which kind of whitening suits them best, since high-powered whitening works better for patients who don't suffer from sensitivity.

For patients for whom chairside whitening is not suggested, there are more natural ways to your teeth as white as possible. Brushing twice a day for two minutes with extra-fluoridated toothpaste, along with flossing, builds a good foundation for brighter teeth. It is important to avoid foods that stain such as red wine, coffee, and tea as well as to avoid tobacco use of any kind.

For patients that have an interest in teeth whitening, Miami Dental can assist you with any questions or concerns. But remember, whitening has to be maintained with at home care and a couple visits a year to Miami Dental.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirshl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rd St, Suite 310, North Miami, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website at miami-dental.com, Miami Dental through a contact form.

Swelling after Tooth Extractions

Our concern for our patients doesn’t end when they walk out the door. We often perform tooth extractions at the dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk and when we do, we want to ensure that our patients remain safe and comfortable during their recoveries. Swelling is an expected part of the healing process, so we want our patients to feel informed about how to manage it.

Swelling is usually proportionate to the complexity of an extraction. Inflammation is part of the immune system’s response to the loss of a tooth. It concentrates white blood cells at entry points for harmful bacteria and prevents them from spreading. But it may be uncomfortable, which is why we advise patients to limit it by applying cold packs during the first day or two after the extraction. Cold packs should be applied for fifteen minutes at a time with fifteen minutes between applications.

Swelling should peak forty-eight to seventy-two hours after the extraction. The patient should contact us if it continues after that point, but otherwise, they may try to reduce it by the applications of heat packs. The same fifteen-on/fifteen-off rule applies. A patient should seek emergency care if the area turns black or white, but redness is expected. Swelling after simple extractions is usually gone within a week.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.