Caring For Your Dental Night Guard
A custom night guard is a meaningful investment for your dental health. How you care for it affects how long it lasts and how clean it remains while you're using it. Proper care is straightforward — some easy daily habits and a regular deeper clean are basically it.
This guide covers what to do, what to avoid, and what to expect over the life of your custom guard. These instructions are written specifically for enCore guards but most of these principles apply to any custom dental appliance.
Why Care Matters
A well-maintained custom night guard from a professional dental lab typically lasts one to three years. A poorly maintained one may:
-
need replacement in months
-
harbor bacteria
-
develop persistent odors
-
lose its precise fit
Daily Care: The Morning Routine
The most important habits are in the moments right after you remove the guard each morning. Done consistently, they prevent the buildup that can cause guard problems.
1. Rinse Immediately After Removal
When you take the guard out of your mouth, rinse it under cool or lukewarm running water right away. This removes saliva, loose debris, and any plaque or bacterial film that accumulated overnight, before it has a chance to dry onto the surface of the guard.
A few seconds under the tap is all that's needed. The earlier you rinse, the less effort the rest of the cleaning routine requires.
2. Brush Gently with a Soft Toothbrush
Once rinsed, brush the guard lightly with a soft-bristled toothbrush — the same brush you use for your teeth is fine, or a dedicated brush for the guard if you prefer. Use only water. Toothpaste is unnecessary and, in fact, counterproductive. Most toothpastes contain mild abrasives, which can scratch the smooth surface of the guard over time and create micro-grooves where bacteria can collect.
A gentle brushing for ten to fifteen seconds, paying particular attention to the grooves where teeth contact the guard, is sufficient.
3. Let It Dry Completely Before Storing
This step is one that’s commonly skipped and it's the one most responsible for guard problems. A wet guard placed directly into a closed case creates a warm, moist environment that bacteria and fungi thrive in. Persistent odors, discoloration, and accelerated material degradation all trace back to this.
After brushing, shake off excess water and place the guard somewhere it can air-dry fully before putting it in its case. A clean towel, a dedicated drying spot, or simply leaving it on the open case while you get ready in the morning all work. The ventilated case that comes with enCore guards is designed to allow ongoing airflow, but the guard itself should be substantially dry before closing the case.
Weekly Deep Clean
In addition to the daily routine, a deeper clean every one to two weeks prevents the gradual buildup that daily brushing alone won't fully address.
Your enCore guard arrives with a supply of cleaning tablets. To use them:
-
dissolve one tablet in a glass or small bowl of warm (not hot) water
-
submerge the guard completely, and let it soak for three to five minutes
-
after soaking, rinse the guard thoroughly under running water
-
brush gently as you would in the daily routine
-
let it air-dry before storing
Additional tablets can be ordered from enCore or purchased at most pharmacies.
Over time, some users may notice a faint yellow tint developing on the inside surface of soft and hybrid guards. This is normal and is usually caused by mineral content in saliva, occasionally by the cleaning tablets themselves, or by foods and beverages consumed before bed.
The yellowing is cosmetic and doesn't affect the protective performance of the guard. Switching to a different brand of cleaning tablet, brushing more thoroughly, or rinsing the mouth before bed can all reduce it.
What to Avoid
A few common mistakes can damage a custom guard or shorten its life significantly. Avoiding them is straightforward.
Don't Use Hot Water
This is the most common cause of guard damage. The materials used in custom dental guards — both soft thermoplastics and harder acrylics — are sensitive to temperature. Hot water can warp the guard, distort the fit that was precisely calibrated to your teeth, or in extreme cases, shrink it so significantly that it no longer fits at all.
Linda A Francis learned this firsthand:
"It's my second guard! I inadvertently cleaned my other guard in too hot water and it shrunk. I tried getting it hot again but nothing I did worked. SO, I ordered a new guard."
Use cool or lukewarm water for all rinsing and cleaning. If you use a denture tablet, the water should be warm enough to dissolve the tablet but never hot to the touch.
Don't Boil the Guard
Some people assume boiling sterilizes the guard. It does not — it destroys it. The high temperature of boiling water exceeds the safe range for every material used in custom guards.
Don't Use Alcohol-Based Solutions
Mouthwashes containing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, hand sanitizer, or any alcohol-based cleaning solution can degrade the guard material over time, causing it to become brittle, cloudy, and structurally compromised. Stick to water, diluted and mild dish soap, and denture cleaning tablets.
Don't Use Toothpaste
As noted earlier, the mild abrasives in toothpaste scratch the smooth surface of the guard. Over weeks and months, these micro-scratches become textures that bacteria can attach to more easily.
Don't Store the Guard Wet
The case is for storage, not drying. A wet guard in a closed case is the single most reliable way to develop odor problems and accelerate material breakdown.
Don't Leave the Guard Where Pets Can Reach It
This sounds obvious until it happens. Dogs in particular find night guards interesting — they smell like their owner and are about the right size to chew. Steve Jackson learned this the hard way:
"I have been using enCore for over 7 years. I have tried many different styles. Be careful if you have pets, I believe mine were responsible for me losing the first 3?"
A guard left on a nightstand or bathroom counter within reach of a curious dog or cat can be at risk. Closing it in its case and keeping the case in a drawer or cupboard takes seconds and saves replacement costs.
Traveling with Your Guard
The ventilated case that ships with enCore guards is designed for travel as well as home storage. A few practices make travel less risky for your guard:
-
always pack the guard in its case, not loose in a toiletry bag
-
keep the case in your carry-on rather than checked luggage where temperatures can fluctuate significantly
-
after overnight use while traveling, rinse and brush as usual, then dry the guard fully before placing it back in the case
-
if you'll be in the same hotel for several days, consider bringing a cleaning tablet for a mid-trip deep clean
Deena Seifert keeps a second guard specifically for travel, which she finds practical for frequent trips:
"I can get multiple mouth guards — one for home and one for my travel case. Easy to maintain and not so pricey that if I lose one, I worry about replacement cost."
For frequent travelers or anyone who has lost a guard before, a bundle that includes a backup guard is a worthwhile consideration.
When to Replace Your Guard
Even with excellent care, custom night guards will eventually have to be replaced. It’s time to get a new one when there is:
-
Visible wear or perforation: Heavy grinders can wear through guard material — particularly soft guards. Once the material is breached, the guard is no longer providing full protection.
-
Persistent odor that won't go away: If the cleaning routine outlined above no longer keeps the guard fresh, the material has absorbed enough bacterial content that replacement is the only solution.
-
Discoloration that won't disappear: Some yellowing is cosmetic, but progressive darkening or staining that resists cleaning suggests the material has degraded.
-
Loss of fit. If the guard feels looser than it used to, or no longer sits as snugly on your teeth, it may have lost its shape. Significant dental changes (a new crown, an extraction, orthodontic treatment) can also necessitate a new impression.
-
Cracks or chips. Any visible structural damage compromises the protective performance of the guard.
Wendy Bellows replaced her guard at two years for a reason that's common among heavy grinders:
"This is my second Hard Guard from enCore. My first was purchased 2 years ago and I wore it every single night. I probably could've used it for longer, but I'm extremely hard on night guards (night grinding and clenching) and wanted a fresh one."
For heavy grinders, replacing the guard at the one to two year mark — even if it could technically last longer — is reasonable practice. The guard is, after all, a sacrificial layer designed to wear so that teeth don't.
enCore keeps your dental impressions on file for six months. Even longer if you sign up for the subscription program. If your bite hasn't changed significantly, replacement guards don't require a new impression kit — the same molds can be used to produce subsequent guards. This makes replacement faster and more convenient than the initial order.
Summary
Putting it all together, proper care of a custom night guard looks like this:
Every morning: Rinse the guard with cool water, brush gently with a wet toothbrush, let it air-dry before storing in its case.
Every one to two weeks: Soak in a denture cleaning tablet solution for three to five minutes, then rinse, brush, and dry as usual.
As needed: Inspect for wear, damage, or significant discoloration. Replace when any of the signs above appear.
Every one to three years: Order a replacement guard. enCore keeps your impression on file for 6 months - and up to one year if you sign up for a subscription.
Shop enCore Custom Night Guards
If you're new to enCore or considering a replacement, our full range of guards is available here. We offer four custom guard types — Soft, Hard, Hybrid, and Ultra Thin — to suit different grinding profiles and comfort preferences, plus bundles for those who would like a backup or want to try more than one type.
Not sure which is right for you? Our guard selection guide can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my night guard? Rinse and brush daily after each use. Soak in a denture cleaning tablet solution every one to two weeks for a deeper clean. The daily routine takes under a minute and prevents most buildup issues; the weekly deep clean handles what the daily routine doesn't.
Can I use toothpaste to clean my night guard? No. The abrasives in toothpaste can scratch the surface of the guard, creating micro-grooves where bacteria collect. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water only.
What's the best cleaning solution for a night guard? A denture cleaning tablet dissolved in warm water is the most effective option for the weekly deep clean. enCore guards ship with a starter supply; brands like Polident and Efferdent work equally well. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes and hot water.
Why is my night guard turning yellow? Some yellowing is normal, particularly on soft and hybrid guards, and is usually caused by mineral content in saliva or the cleaning tablets themselves. It's cosmetic and doesn't affect protective performance. If it bothers you, switching cleaning tablet brands or rinsing the mouth before bed can help reduce it.
How long should a custom night guard last? With proper care, one to three years. Lighter grinders typically see closer to three years; heavier grinders may need replacement closer to the one-year mark. Wear-through, persistent odor, loss of fit, or visible damage all indicate it's time for a new guard.
Can I sterilize my night guard by boiling it? No. Boiling water exceeds the safe temperature range for all dental guard materials and will warp, shrink, or destroy the guard. Use cleaning tablets in warm (not hot) water instead.
Do I need to bring my night guard to dental appointments? It's helpful, though not strictly required. Your dentist can examine the guard for signs of wear, check that it still fits properly, and adjust their recommendations based on what they see. If you've had dental work since your guard was made — particularly anything that changes your bite — bring the guard so they can check whether it still fits correctly.
This article is for informational purposes only. If you have questions about caring for your specific dental appliance or any concerns about its fit, please contact enCore customer service or consult your dentist.
