Your Occlusal Splint Only Works If You Look After It

Most patients leave their splint fitting appointment knowing what the device does. Very few know how to look after it, and that gap has real consequences. An occlusal splint is custom-made to your teeth and bite, and calibrated to the way your jaw rests during sleep. Poor care does not just shorten its lifespan. It can undermine the treatment entirely.

Here is what we tell every patient before they leave the clinic.

Do not wear it at the same time as a retainer

If you also wear a removable orthodontic retainer, do not wear both together. Wearing an occlusal splint and a retainer simultaneously can increase masticatory muscle activity, which works directly against what the splint is trying to achieve. If you are unsure which to prioritise, ask your specialist. The answer depends on your specific treatment goals.

How to clean it

Clean your splint immediately after removing it each morning, before it dries. Rinse under cool running water and use a soft toothbrush with a small amount of unscented liquid soap.

Two things to avoid:

• Toothpaste: Most formulas contain mild abrasives designed to polish enamel. On acrylic, they create fine scratches over time. Scratched surfaces harbour bacteria and are harder to keep clean.

• Hot water: Acrylic can warp under heat, even briefly. Use cool or lukewarm water only to clean your splint.

A diluted denture cleaning soak once or twice a week is a useful addition, but it does not replace daily cleaning.

How to handle and store it

When picking up your splint, avoid gripping it in the middle and sqeezing it. Concentrating force at the midline stresses the acrylic along that axis and can cause it to fracture. Hold it from one side only.

Store it dry in its hard case whenever it is not in your mouth. A wet splint sealed in a case creates conditions bacteria thrive in. Leaving it out uncovered exposes it to dust and curious pets. Dogs in particular are drawn to the scent of saliva on acrylic, and a chewed splint is not unusual.

Keep the case away from heat. A warped splint will not seat correctly against your teeth. When travelling, always pack your splint in the case rather than wrapping the splint in a tissue. Splints in tissue paper have a habit of being thrown away by accident.

When to come back for a review

Your splint should be checked at least once a year. Your bite changes over time, and so do the forces you place on your teeth during sleep. At a review appointment, your specialist will assess the wear pattern, confirm the fit, and make any adjustments needed. Wear patterns are clinically useful, they tell us a great deal about what is happening with your jaw overnight.

Do not wait for your annual review if something changes before then. If the splint feels loose, tight, or uncomfortable in a way it did not before, or if you notice cracks or significant wear, contact us. A splint that no longer fits well, places uneven pressure on your teeth and the jaw, which is the opposite of what it is designed to do.

To learn more, call us on (08) 9376 6789.

IMPORTANT: This content is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute medical or dental advice. Readers should consult a qualified health professional regarding any personal health concerns