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Night guard care: cleaning, storage and getting used to it

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Your night guard protects your teeth and jaw from grinding and clenching while you sleep.

Wearing it

Wear it every night, or as your dentist recommended. It may feel strange or cause extra saliva for the first few nights.
Mild tooth or jaw tightness in the morning should settle within a week or two.

Cleaning

Rinse in the morning and brush gently with a soft brush and cool water or mild soap. Avoid hot water, which can warp it.
Let it dry, then store it in its vented case away from heat and pets.

Checkups

Bring it to your dental checkups so we can check fit and wear.

Call our office right away if

Jaw pain, headaches or bite changes that do not settle
The guard cracks, warps or no longer fits

This handout is general information. Always follow the specific instructions your dentist gives you, which may differ from this sheet. For a medical emergency, such as trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Content last reviewed: 2026-10.

Common questions

How do I clean my night guard?

Rinse and brush it gently with cool water and mild soap each morning, let it air-dry and keep it in its case. Avoid hot water.

Is it normal for my teeth to feel sore with a new night guard?

Mild tightness for the first week or two can occur. Ongoing pain, jaw problems or bite changes should be checked.

For dental offices

Print or save this sheet as a PDF with your practice name, phone number and after-hours instructions. Edit any line, add a QR code to your website, and hand it to patients in English or Spanish. It runs entirely in your browser.

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