How Many Athletes Actually Clean Their Mouthguard? (The Answer Is Pretty Gross)

If you wear a mouthguard, here's a simple question:

When was the last time you actually cleaned it?

Not a quick rinse under the faucet.

Not wiping it on your shirt.

Not tossing it back into your gym bag.

We mean properly cleaning it.

For many athletes, the honest answer is... they can't remember.

Whether you're training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, MMA, wrestling, football, hockey, or any other contact sport, your mouthguard spends hours in one of the worst possible environments: your mouth.

Then it usually goes straight into a closed plastic case where moisture, saliva, and bacteria can linger until your next practice.

Why Mouthguards Get So Dirty

Every training session exposes your mouthguard to:

• Saliva

• Food particles

• Sweat

• Bacteria naturally found in your mouth

• Dirt from your hands, gym bag, and training environment

If it's put away while still wet, that warm, enclosed environment can contribute to unpleasant odors and bacterial buildup over time.

It's no wonder so many athletes eventually notice that familiar "mouthguard smell."

The Problem Isn't the Mouthguard...

It's Our Habits.

Most athletes know they should clean their mouthguard.

The problem is consistency.

After a hard training session you're usually thinking about:

• Getting home

• Showering

• Eating

• Recovering

Cleaning your mouthguard often becomes an afterthought.

Unfortunately, skipping that simple step day after day allows residue and odor to build up.

Common Cleaning Mistakes

Many athletes rely on methods that don't do much to keep a mouthguard fresh.

Some common examples include:

• Giving it a quick rinse with water

• Leaving it in a closed case while still wet

• Forgetting to clean it for days or even weeks

• Tossing it into a gym bag without a protective case

These habits may seem harmless, but over time they can leave your mouthguard looking—and smelling—less than ideal.

A Better Routine Takes Less Than a Minute

Keeping a mouthguard cleaner doesn't have to be complicated.

A simple routine can make a big difference:

1. Rinse your mouthguard after training.

2. Clean it using an appropriate cleaning solution.

3. Allow it to dry when possible.

4. Store it in a clean case.

5. Repeat after every practice.

The key is consistency.

That's Why We Created Grilla Box

We designed Grilla Box because we noticed the same problem at gyms everywhere.

Athletes wanted cleaner mouthguards, but very few wanted another complicated chore after training.

Grilla Box uses Grilla Juice, a natural cleaning solution made with ingredients including food-grade peppermint oil, birch bark, and baking soda, to help keep your mouthguard fresh in about 20 seconds—without UV lights, harsh chemicals, or alcohol.

Instead of putting away a wet, smelly mouthguard, you can build a simple cleaning routine into every training session.

Final Thoughts

Your mouthguard protects your teeth every time you train.

Taking a few extra seconds to care for it is one of the easiest habits you can build.

A cleaner mouthguard smells better, feels better, and is something you'll actually want to put back in your mouth before your next round.

If you're serious about your training, don't overlook the equipment that spends the most time in your mouth.

Train hard. Recover well. Keep your mouthguard clean.

Grillabox.com