Cleaning the occlusal splint

Do I have to clean my splint?

The occlusal splint should usually only be worn by the patient during the night. In particularly severe cases, however, wearing it during the day can also be useful in order to alleviate the symptoms as soon as possible. Careful cleaning of the bite splint is of the utmost importance to prevent the spread of germs.

Read more on the topic: Bite splint - all information on the topic

How often do I have to clean the occlusal splint?

In general, cleaning the splint with a toothbrush and toothpaste after each use is sufficient. This cleaning can be carried out as part of normal oral hygiene. At fixed intervals (at least every two days) a more extensive rail hygiene should be carried out, otherwise solid deposits and discoloration of the plastic can occur.

How do I clean my occlusal splint correctly?

These signs of wear can be removed by placing the bite splint in a commercially available denture cleaning solution and then completely removed with a toothbrush. The ordinary cleaning tablet contains active oxygen (O2), which removes bacteria that stick to the surface of the grinding splint.

In this way, an optimal cleaning result can be achieved and the bite splint can be kept hygienically clean over the long term. The cleaning tablet must be placed in a glass of water and dissolved for use.

The patient then places the previously rinsed bite splint in the finished solution and allows it to take effect for around ten to fifteen minutes. The exposure time indicated on the packaging of the cleaning agent should be strictly adhered to and neither be exceeded nor undershot. If you forget the bite splint in the solution bath and leave it there for hours, this can result in unsightly discoloration or damage to the plastic. Then the occlusal splint must be rinsed off thoroughly with lukewarm, clear water. Since some cleaning tablets cause a pungent taste, the bite guard can also be cleaned again with a toothbrush and toothpaste. In addition, special cleaning foam for the care of bite splints containing plastic can be purchased in health food stores.

This foam is also ideal for removing discoloration, deposits and bacteria from the plastic surface. The cleaning foam is to be used like a normal toothpaste. Applied to the toothbrush, the dental equipment can be thoroughly cleaned with the help of the foam. Afterwards, we recommend rinsing with lukewarm, clear water. Severe discoloration of the plastic can be avoided if the patient refrains from consuming nicotine, coffee and tea while wearing them.

Fruit juices and acidic foods can attack and roughen the occlusal splint material, thereby promoting the deposition of bacteria and dirt particles.After the cleaning process, the bite splint should be stored in a special, air-permeable plastic container.

What home remedies are there for cleaning?

The following home remedies are often used for cleaning:

• diluted acetic acid
• diluted citric acid
• Herbal baths, e.g. made from chamomile or sage

Diluted acetic acid and citric acid solutions are considered household remedies that can be used with positive effects. In a low concentration, the two solutions can dissolve tartar and plaque without damaging the plastic splint.
Hard deposits can also be removed that cannot be cleaned by simply scrubbing with a toothbrush.

The splint should remain in the solution for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the strength of the concentration. A longer exposure time is not recommended, as the plastic of the bite splint can otherwise be damaged and become porous.

After the bath has been completed, all residues of the solution should be thoroughly removed from the splint so that the diluted acid cannot continue to have an effect.
It is important to note the concentration of acid solutions. If you don't buy a ready-to-use diluted solution, but try to make it yourself, the dilution should be large enough.
It is advisable to mix one part acid with four or five parts water.

Baths made from chamomile, sage or similar herbs are fragrant as home remedies and can minimize odor formation, but they are not helpful as a cleaning method because deposits cannot be removed.

What role does vinegar play in cleaning?

Vinegar can be found in every household and is used in a variety of ways.
Some varieties are not only used for consumption, but are also used as cleaning agents in the home and garden. Chemically, vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of acetic acid.

A distinction can be made between vinegar, which is produced through biological fermentation, and vinegar made from acetic acid and vinegar made from vinegar essence, which is produced synthetically and does not contain any ingredients. This just tastes sour.
However, vinegar, which is produced from biological fermentation, has a taste depending on what was used as the starting material, such as apples. In the household, vinegar is diluted with water and is often used as a cleaning agent, especially when limescale needs to be removed, such as on taps or in kettles.
So it makes sense to clean your splint with vinegar as well, if this does not damage the splint.

In general, the occlusal splint should be cleaned at least once a day, ideally immediately after wearing it at night. In the morning after brushing your teeth, clean the splint, dry it and store it in a box until you use it in the evening. In this way, no bacteria can settle on the splint and the splint retains its “fresh feeling”, because saliva and tooth residues stick to the splint while it is being worn, making it appear unappetizing.
As a cleaning option, there are special cleaners that you can buy, mechanical cleaning with a toothbrush or cleaning with vinegar. With some special cleaners, however, it can happen that they attack the rail plastic.

How is vinegar used properly?

When using vinegar, take 1/3 white household vinegar and mix it with 2/3 water. Alternatively, you can also buy ready-made vinegar solutions. This type of cleaning can be used once a week to remove hardened deposits from the occlusal splint. It is important that the splint does not lie in the vinegar solution for too long (approx. 1-2 hours) to avoid discoloration or defects in the plastic.
In contrast to ready-made cleaners, this is a cheaper and simple method. After the vinegar bath, it is advisable to rinse the splint thoroughly and brush it with a toothbrush and a little toothpaste. This removes any loosened residues left on the rail and neutralizes the sour taste.

Ultrasonic cleaning

Ultrasound is a particularly effective means for lasting and thorough cleaning of occlusal splints. Ultrasonic baths are now available for use at home, with which splints and prostheses can be cleaned and cared for daily.
The splint is placed in the bath for about 3 to 5 minutes and the vibrations of the crystal inside remove the hardened deposits without damaging the plastic.

Depending on the severity of the contamination, the splint can also remain in the ultrasonic bath for longer. The water contained should be changed daily. Ultrasound is also used as an efficient method in dental laboratories and at the dentist's.

Read more on the topic: Denture cleaning device with ultrasound

What to do if the splint stinks?

An occlusal splint that is worn against the crunch at night can smell unpleasant in the morning after removal. The smell is caused by the microorganisms that remain in the oral cavity all night and produce gases. It is advisable to brush the splint directly in the morning with toothpaste and a toothbrush to remove the bacteria.

Read more on the topic: Grinding teeth at night

A daily bath for around 2-3 minutes in chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) can also prevent bacterial deposits and disinfect the splint. These methods remove all debris, as these are the main reason for the unpleasant odor. If this odor does not go away despite all measures, the causes should be clarified with the treating dentist, if necessary, because inflammation of the tooth supporting apparatus, for example so-called periodontitis, creates a distinctive unpleasant halitosis that can be transferred to the splint.

Read more on the topic: Causes of Bad Breath

Summary of the most important information

A bite splint or gnash splint is a dental device that is used to treat incorrect and / or excessive loads on the teeth and the temporomandibular joints. It serves to harmonize the pressure loads during the interaction between the jaw joints and the masticatory muscles. An occlusal splint is particularly suitable for those patients who have to grind their teeth in stressful situations at night (technical term: Bruxism) Suffer. Wearing the occlusal splint reduces unphysiological tooth contact and prevents the teeth from rubbing and pressing against one another. Such unphysiological jaw movements (technical term: Parafunctions) cause enormous pressing forces, which have an enormously negative influence on the individual structures of the chewing organ.

Using the occlusal splint prevents damage to the hard tooth substance (especially the tooth enamel), the teeth holding apparatus, the temporomandibular joints and the masticatory muscles caused by teeth grinding. The consequences of incorrect or overstressing are damage to the tooth, which favor the development of carious defects and cause inflammation in the area of ​​the gums and the gums.
In addition, the high stress pressures can lead to tension in the masticatory muscles, which among other things lead to muscle problems and severe headaches. Many affected patients also develop severe signs of wear and tear in the area of ​​the temporomandibular joints, which are made clear after a short time by cracking noises when chewing. In these patients, the bite splint is intended to loosen the lower jaw from its interlocking with the upper jaw. This means that the lower jaw can assume a position that is independent of the regular bite.

As a result, the masticatory muscles can relax and the stress on the temporomandibular joint decreases increasingly. The bite splint must be made from plastic in the dental laboratory. Their shape is exactly adapted to the individual dental arch of the respective patient. For this reason, the patient's jaw must be cast (impression) before the bite splint is made. On the basis of this impression, the jaw model is then poured in the laboratory, on which the bite splint is ultimately made. While still in the dental practice, a check is carried out to ensure that the appliance is correctly positioned and that the edges of the splint do not exert any pressure on the gums. An incorrectly adjusted occlusal splint can damage the gums (lat. Gingiva) provoke, lead to injuries and / or trigger inflammatory processes.