If you recently became a\u00a0ApneaGuard patient, or if you are thinking about\u00a0getting an oral device to improve your sleep by treating your mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), then you might be thinking about how best to keep the oral device\u00a0clean. The oral appliance has a very important job to do as it works towards moving the lower jaw slightly forward to prevent the soft tissue at the back of the throat area from collapsing the airway and obstructing airflow. It follows then that keeping your oral device\u00a0in tip-top condition is going to be important.\u00a0Here are some tips on how to keep your ApneaGuard oral appliance clean<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Always clean your device in the morning immediately after having removed it from your mouth. Keep your ApneaGuard with SomnoMed\u00a0clean by brushing it\u00a0with the brush enclosed in your retainer case and\/or with a soft bristle toothbrush. Don\u2019t use toothpaste to brush your device, because the abrasives in toothpaste\u00a0can cause scratches and potentially damage your device. Avoid hot or boiling water as it will damage the device and the micro-recorder (if ordered). You can use mild dish soap, a partial piece of denture cleaner (like Efferdent, use a 1\/4 of the tab as most denture cleaners can be harmful to the soft inner liner and\/or metal in your device). You can also use a vinegar\/water solution as another cleaning option.\u00a0 If you see any discoloration, stop and ask your\u00a0dentist for another suggestion. Avoid soaking your device in a cleaning solution for more than 15 minutes each day.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u00a0is very important that you brush your teeth before you wear your oral device each night. If you do not wear your ApneaGuard on clean teeth you may experience discoloration and strong odors because it can increase the number of bacteria on your device.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have you gotten into the habit of taking out your oral device and leaving it on your night stand or next to the bathroom sink? This is one sure fire way for your device\u00a0to breed bacteria or get eaten by your dog (pets love to chew on these). Always rinse off your device\u00a0with water after you remove it so that saliva doesn\u2019t dry onto them. After you clean your device we recommend that you\u00a0store it based on your device specifications.<\/p>\n To maintain fit and longevity of\u00a0your oral appliance, avoid placing it in direct sunlight, leaving it in your vehicle, or using hot or boiling water to clean your device.<\/p>\n SomnoMed\u00a0has an easy to use cleaning tablet\u00a0to keep your ApneaGuard clean.\u00a0Exclusively manufactured for SomnoMed and specifically designed for use with SomnoMed devices;\u00a0SomTabs\u00a0helps to keep your oral device in pristine working condition. Watch the video below to learn more about SomTabs and maintaining your device.<\/p>\n When you first get your oral appliance, you may initially experience a mild plastic taste. This will disappear with storage and use. Your calibration tool and cleaning brush are in the handy tool kit underneath the storage case.<\/p>\n Please note: To reduce the possibility of discoloration do not drink coffee, tea or cola with the device in place. Always brush teeth thoroughly before use.<\/p>\n Always store your SomnoDent Fusion or Herbst Advance in a container of clean water when not in use. A storage container is included for your convenience. By storing in water, the material will not dry out and will help prevent crack corrosion and possible discoloration of the metal components (caused by buildup of salts and saliva). The device should be fully submerged.<\/p>\n Other Helpful Advice:<\/strong><\/p>\nCare and Cleaning Tips for Your ApneaGuard<\/h2>\n
Brush them \u2013 gently<\/h2>\n
Only wear your\u00a0ApneaGuard with SomnoMed\u00a0on clean teeth<\/h2>\n
Keep it\u00a0safe<\/h2>\n
Avoid\u00a0heat<\/h2>\n
Cleaning ready<\/h2>\n
STORAGE<\/h2>\n
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