Don’t clean your mouthguard? Do you ever wonder just how dirty it can get? Well, the answer may surprise you. A stunning range of bacteria, germs, and other debris can accumulate on a mouthguard. It’s no wonder why more and more people are concerned about the cleanliness of their oral protection. Luckily, there are easy ways to keep your mouthguard clean and free from all the riff-raff out there.
How Dirty Can Your Mouthguard Get?
Like to talk trash in competition? Well, do you also count Oscar the Grouch as an inspiration for your personal hygiene? If you don’t clean your mouthguard regularly, you might as well be roommates in his trash bin.
A 2012 report on what accumulates on professional football equipment found a shocking amount in the samples. “blood, sputum, mouth discharges (tobacco products), chemicals, animal feces, and other players’ DNA.” Your mouthguard collects everything around it when you take it out of your mouth or put it down without a thought. You expose yourself to everything that comes into contact with it when you put it back in your mouth.
Another study from Oklahoma State University found contamination by bacteria, yeasts, and mold. Some of these contaminants have been associated with heart disease, pneumonia, and meningitis. They can lead to further diseases, such as infections of the skin, mouth, gum, and bone, as well as the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts.
Protecting your teeth is a serious business! Mouthguards can help protect you from injuries, but you also need to do your job to protect your mouthguard. If it isn’t regularly cleaned and maintained, it can become a trojan horse for ill health.
Go ahead and talk trash with your opponents, but don’t let your mouth become a trash bin!
Do You Clean Your Mouthguard?
Keeping your mouthguard clean may seem like an afterthought, but for athletes, it is a must-have. Studies show that a mouthguard exposed to the elements (and whatever is found on the football field) can cause serious health issues. Plus, it will start to wear down faster and become less effective. So how do you keep your mouthguard germ-free and ready for action? Let us help you make sure you are keeping your guard clean and protecting yourself so you can stay in the game.
Take the Day Off, Let Your Mouthguard Clean Itself
You’re already fighting to win your sport, don’t fight another battle at the microbial level too. Keep it simple and keep your mouthguard clean. G’rilla Box makes it easy to do so. We’ve created the first-ever self-cleaning mouthguard case, now available! You can forget about ever forgetting to clean your mouthguard and compete in peace. Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter to get all the latest updates and promotions.