Dental Night Guard Pre-Visit Instructions
What to Do Before Your Night Guard Scan Appointment
Getting a custom dental night guard is an excellent way to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching. While night guards can’t stop these habits, they provide a crucial barrier that prevents damage. Follow these pre-visit instructions to ensure a successful experience during your night guard scan.
Food and Meal Prep
- Eat Normally: Have your usual meals before your appointment. A full stomach can help you stay comfortable during your visit.
- Avoid Eating During Your Appointment: Make sure your teeth are clean and free of food debris before arriving.
Medications
- Take Your Usual Medications: Continue with any prescribed medications as you normally would, unless advised otherwise by your doctor or dentist.
- Notify of Recent Changes: Inform your dentist of any recent changes to your medications or health status to ensure optimal care.
Oral Hygiene Tips for Night Guard Care
For effective results with your new night guard, prioritize good oral hygiene before and after your scan.
- Clean Your Night Guard Daily: Use an ultrasonic cleaner with a denture cleaner solution, like Polident, to remove plaque and prevent biofilm buildup on your night guard.
- Brush Twice Daily: Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. For better results, brush after meals whenever possible to reduce the chances of plaque buildup between meals.
- Rinse When Brushing Isn’t Possible: If brushing after meals isn’t feasible, rinse your mouth with water or an antibacterial mouthwash, such as Colgate Total 12HR Pro-Shield CPC Mouthwash, to help remove food particles and freshen your breath.
- Upgrade Your Toothbrush: For gentle but effective cleaning, we recommend using the Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft Swiss Toothbrush. For more thorough cleaning, an electric toothbrush, like the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100, is a great option.
- Floss Daily: Daily flossing removes particles and plaque from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Try GUM ButlerWeave Dental Floss or, if traditional flossing is challenging, use dental flossers or interdental brushes such as GUM Proxabrush.
- Consider a Water Flosser: For deeper cleaning, use a Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser. This is a great addition to your routine as it effectively flushes out debris that may be missed by brushing and flossing.
- Choose a Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste, such as Colgate Total Advanced Professional Clean, is recommended for cavity prevention and gum health.
Clothing and Appearance
To make your visit as comfortable and efficient as possible, we suggest the following:
- Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose loose, open-collared clothing. Avoid white or light colors to prevent visible staining.
- Minimal Makeup: Less makeup is preferable to reduce the chance of smudging.
- Avoid High Heels and Certain Nail Polishes: Choose flat shoes, and avoid colored or gel nail polish.
- Remove Contact Lenses and Jewelry: Take out contact lenses and any jewelry, especially facial piercings such as tongue, lip, or nose rings.
Review Post-Insertion Instructions
To help ensure a smooth transition to wearing your new night guard, please review the post-visit care instructions in advance. Being familiar with aftercare will make your night guard experience comfortable and effective.
Have Questions?
If you have questions about your upcoming night guard scan or need further guidance, please contact us. We’re here to support your journey to a healthier, more protected smile.
