Is Your Sport Mouth Guard a “Sticky Germ Magnet” ?

A study published in the May-June 2011 edition of Sports Health warns of the danger that sports mouth guards may be a potential source of infection in athletes.

Intense involvement in the sport focuses the athletes attention on the activity and not the necessity of keeping a mouth guard clean. They often remove the guards between plays or or hang them from helmets. Outside of the mouth, they can become “sticky germ magnets” that could increase the chance of contamination.

Suggestions for safe practices:

1. Soak the mouthguards in an anti-microbial solution after practice or games until the following session and gently brush them with a toothbrush periodically.
2. Avoid hanging the mouthguard on helmets, facemasks, or other dirty surfaces between plays.
3. Inspect the mouthguards regularly for cracks, jagged edges, and general wear.
4. Replace the mouthguard when damage or wear develops.

Author Bio+