At Spark Sleep Solutions, we know how important sleep apnea devices are for San Ramon residents. With locations throughout the Bay Area, you have a range of choices to suit wherever you might live. Like any other piece of medical equipment, you need to take proper care of your oral device, whether it’s for TMJ pain, sleep apnea, snoring, or orthodontic needs. Maintaining your TMJ splint or retainer is a lot easier than you might imagine.
First and Foremost: Ultrasonic
The most recommended method of cleaning your oral sleep apnea devices in San Ramon is through ultrasonic devices such as the Medical Sonic Cleaner Advanced-Ultrasonic + Ultraviolet Cleaning unit we recommend at Spark Sleep Solutions. Ultrasonic devices are gentler than many other cleaning methods, using sonic waves instead of harsh abrasives. In place of toothpaste or denture cleaners (which can damage both your oral device and ultrasonic cleaner), you should use cleaners intended for these methods. We recommend Dental Clean Ultra Tabs for all-natural ingredients and a gentle, disinfecting cleanse.
One major caveat is that you should stay away from using ultrasonic equipment intended for use by dental or other medical professionals. These machines are fantastic for fully cleaning a wide variety of metal medical equipment. However, they are too powerful for individual use and will most likely damage your sleep appliance, retainer, mouthguard, or aligner. Even if it’s in the name of cleanliness, damage to your oral device can result in failure or more buildup of bacteria and plaque.
To get started with an ultrasonic cleansing device, reach out to Spark Sleep Solutions today.
Avoid Toothpaste at All Costs
By this, we don’t mean avoid brushing your teeth. Instead, we’re talking about avoiding toothpaste on your oral devices for sleep apnea in San Ramon. Toothpaste, whether it’s traditional paste or gel, contains abrasives meant to scrub plaque, biofilm, and other particulates off your teeth. The enamel on your teeth can generally stand up to these abrasives, but materials used in ultrasonic cleaners are more sensitive. Plaque and bacteria can grow in the abraded areas and are harder to remove than if your device is fully intact.
Avoid Liquid Dish Detergent
To forego toothpaste but still make cleaning easy with common household items, many people turn to dish detergent to keep their dental appliances in tip-top shape. Though liquid dish soap will help clean your apparatus, it can leave behind residue and actually put your devices in worse condition than before. Instead, opt for specialty cleaning tablets specifically made to be gentle enough for oral devices. They’re made specifically to cleanse and disinfect without leaving behind residue or contributing to damage, making them ideal for a number of oral devices.
Never Use These Things
We’ve gone over what to use to clean your dental appliances and mentioned how bad toothpaste can be for them, but it’s not the only thing to avoid. Common household methods of sanitation can actually damage or deform your appliance. Avoid things like:
- Boiling or hot water
- Bleach
- Soap and multi-purpose cleaners
- Denture Cleaners or other generic tablets
If you have any questions about proper cleaning and care for your sleep apnea dental device, contact our friendly staff at Spark Sleep Solutions in San Ramon. They can answer any questions that you may have.