Dirty Mouthguards Responsible for More Than Halitosis

It’s game time, and the equipment is not exactly fresh, but no big deal. The gear may stink a bit, the helmet a bit damp, but that mouthguard, should it really taste like that? Ah… no worries, it’s your own germs, it can’t hurt you. Or can it?

In between games you tuck your mouthguard into its original case and toss it into your bag. There it sits in darkness and dampness for a week until the next game. There it sits in a veritable breeding ground for germs.

Your equipment can be aired out, your jersey washed, but what about that mouthguard? A quick squirt from the water bottle and back it goes in your mouth! Yikes.

So what? It’s your germs, they came from your mouth, what’s it gonna due to you? It’s not like you’re sharing your mouthguard with anyone else.

At least we hope not.

So whats the problem?

R. Thomas Glass, DDS, PhD, professor of dentistry and pathology at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences says the problem is that bacteria, yeast, fungi, and viruses live on the mouthguards.

Bacteria from the mouth remain on the mouthguard after use. These bacteria are not eliminated when the mouthguard is rinsed. They multiply damp, warm, and dark environments, exactly what it’s like in the bottom of your equipment bag.

Most germs from the mouth are destroyed when oxygen in the air reaches them. But that 4.8 seconds from the time the mouthguard is released from its case to the time it’s inserted onto your top teeth, may not be enough,and if the bacteria is not killed then these disease-causing organisms can be transmitted into your bloodstream.

In fact, these dirty mouthguards may be responsible for recurring health problems ranging from asthma attacks to herpes outbreaks.

So what can you do?

One website I went to suggested purchasing a new mouthguard every week. A little extreme, I think, since most mouthguards are designed to last a full season, and with the proper care they will last.

So at the very least after each game or practice rinse it thoroughly with cold water. For added protection, give it a scrub with toothpaste and a toothbrush or even rinse it with mouthwash.

An occasional cleaning with cool, soapy water is always effective, but be sure to rinse the mouthguard thoroughly lest you want a reminder of the first time your mother washed your mouth out when you proudly proclaimed that new word you learned from the older kids at school.

To avoid that sudsy taste, take your mouthguard and soak it in white vinegar for less than 5 minutes - no more. Then rinse with water or brush or toothpaste.

When storing it, make sure the container is perforated to allow for air circulation.

These simple steps can inhibit or even eliminate the germs from entering your bloodstream, or at the very least prevent you from getting a bad case of halitosis.

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/94/103011.htm?action=related_link
http://www.stthomas.edu/humanresources/healthyu/dental/HealthySmilesTip-Mouthguards.pdf