You have taken a significant step towards better sleep and health by getting a custom oral appliance. One beauty of these devices is they can last for a very long time as long as they are properly maintained. It is also important to continue seeing your treating sleep dentist on a regular basis to ensure the device’s integrity and effectiveness.
Here are a few tips to follow:
Brush your device daily and thoroughly with a separate toothbrush under cool water. Tap water is sufficient, but one may consider bottled or distilled if your area has severe hard water. It’s best to keep your device away from hot water as a universal precaution.
Soak your device in a professional oral appliance cleaner at least three times per week (as deemed necessary) for approximately 15 minutes.
Please follow the instructions of the cleaner you choose to use. Most cleaners are gentle enough to use daily but the device should still be brushed. These cleaners are generally both germicidal and deodorizing.
Sonic cleaners work very well with the device. They are battery-operated, produce 15,000 waves per minute, and are inexpensive. The oral device can be placed in the sonic cleaner with water and the cleaning product and turned on for approximately 15 minutes. Do NOT use an Ultrasonic cleaner as they operate at a much higher frequency and could damage your oral device. These are typically intended for metal medical instruments.
Allow the device to air-dry; keeping the lid off if it is air-tight. For devices with a soft liner, it is recommended to keep it in a moist environment when not in use.
Per most manufacturer instructions; do not use toothpaste, denture cleaners, or soap. Cleaners with active oxygen may damage your device and toothpaste tends to be too abrasive and often accumulates in crevices
and screw mechanisms.
Remember, oral devices are porous and will absorb anything you place them in. This device will then be worn in your mouth all night so please be careful what you use to clean them as it may lead to an allergic reaction.
Discoloration, cracks, and corrosion can be caused due to build-up of salts, saliva, and bacteria. It is important to note that with over 100 FDA-approved custom oral appliances for sleep apnea, the cleaning may slightly differ based upon the material from which your device is fabricated. This is why it is important to speak to your treating sleep dentist about your specific device. Manufacturer or doctor warranties may also be voided if your device appears to not have been maintained appropriately.