Do you have a dental cover? We tell you how to clean it

The mouth is the beginning of our digestive system, all bacteria and infections can pass into the bloodstream and lodge in the heart causing serious health problems and even death in the worst cases. It is something that few people know, and we want to refresh your memory and remember it again.

Oral hygiene is very important , in fact, on average, we should brush our teeth after each meal, at least 3 times a day, with a paste rich in fluoride, a suitable mouthwash, use dental floss and also clean our tongue.

Many times we have been told that boiling water is the best solution to kill bacteria and it is true, but it is true for food or kitchen utensils. It is also good for disinfecting bottles, nipples, pacifiers, and others, but not for this type of dental splint or cover. Normally it is a resistant plastic, but not suitable for high temperatures , since it can deform and it would no longer fit in our mouths and we would have to pay for a new one, and they are not cheap.

Toothbrush

The toothbrush is our best ally. We will use it in all cleaning tips for our dental retainer or splint. What we will do is use a new toothbrush, not the same one we use for our mouth, and with toothpaste we clean the inside and outside of the dental cover.

Then we rinse it in lukewarm water and store it in the box, which also needs to be cleaned once a day. However, the transparent cover should be cleaned at least twice a day and you should always brush your teeth before putting it on.

We can make exceptions, such as the days we eat out, but make few exceptions, since these bacteria can create bad breath odor, cavities and other damage to the mouth.

Odorless neutral soap

Many of us will think that the smell is better, but the soap itself has a flavor and some are scented. If we put that perfumed in our mouth, a somewhat unpleasant mixture of smells and sensations can be created. For this reason, neutral and odorless soap is always better, to play it safe.

To clean with soap we can use our fingers or a toothbrush that has previously been washed. We do not recommend using our toothbrush, as it would be an extra bacteria that is not recommended.

We moisten the toothbrush and put soap in the transparent cover, rub gently and then rinse with warm water until all traces of soap and foam are removed. We wash the brush and put on the splint or put it inside its case, which must always be clean and dry.

Chlorine diluted in water

Some professionals give the idea of diluting chlorine twice as much water and spraying it on the cover and gently scrubbing with a toothbrush or with our own fingers. Care must be taken, since, if the splint is not made of good material, over time, and the use of chlorine, it could be affected.

It is best to ask our dentist what method he recommends so that our transparent cover lasts a few years in the best possible conditions. He has experience and I’m sure many of his patients have made mistakes that we can avoid.

Another drawback of this method to clean our dental cover is that it is not suitable for a child to do, or someone with sensitive skin or an atypical condition that, when in contact with chlorine, can worsen such as wounds, dermatitis, allergies, hives, pimples, etc.

denture cleaner

There are plenty of denture cleaners on the market. We give this option, because there are many people who are a little disgusted to take a denture or a dental cover with their hands.

It is true that it will always be cleaner if we rub with a toothbrush and toothpaste or soap, than if we leave the transparent cover submerged in cleaning liquid. Better that, than not cleaning it is also true. Another option is to ask a third person to clean it for us.

This is why we advocate more for the other cleaning tips above. Even so, we put the effervescent tablet in the water and introduce the splint between 5 and 10 minutes . Then we take it out, drain and dry it and place it or store it in its corresponding case.

other tips

To keep our dental splint for as long as possible and in the best possible conditions, we must take into account a series of tips and, of course, handle it as little as possible to extend its useful life.

• Do not use it to eat or drink, except drink water.
• Always keep it in its box.
• Wash the box daily and dry it so that it does not breed bacteria due to humidity.
• Do not use corrosive products.
• If it is broken, replace it with a new one.
• If it turns yellow, it must be changed.
• Do not use boiling water.
• Do not exert too much force when cleaning.
• Ensure that children comply with the cleaning, and if they are very young, have an adult do it.
• The splint must be handled delicately.
• We must always keep it dry, so that bacteria do not proliferate. If when opening the case it smells bad, it is because there are bacteria and we have to clean everything thoroughly.
• Do not share the splint with anyone.
• Do not use toilet paper or napkins to dry them because they leave traces of cellulose.
• Avoid cleaning it with used clothes, used towels, wet wipes, etc.

There are home methods that many people use, but we do not recommend them 100%, such as using vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach diluted in water, pure lemon juice, dishwasher detergent, etc.