Like your cell phone, favorite pet or significant other, mouthguards need some TLC. Your mouthguard will last you a lot longer if you take proper care of it. Here is a list of mouth guard care DO's and DON'T's that will ensure your guard's peak performance.
A mouth guard is the ultimate habitat for microorganisms to live in. The dark and moist environment is where mold and bacteria thrive and have New Year parties. According to a study published by American General Dentistry (AGD), mouth guards can can be the breeding ground to life-threatening bacteria, yeast and mold. Germs found in mouthguards can lead to strep and staph infections, which could leave the entire team on the bench. Here are some good mouthguard cleaning tips to help you keep your mouth healthy.
If you are one of millions of athletes who wear a mouthguard, chances are, you have friends. We're not talking about the kind you hang out with after school. We're talking about the ones that chill in your mouthguard and make you sick: AKA bacteria. Even your SISU Guard, which minimizes the growth of bacteria in your mouth still needs a good bath. Remember to clean your SISU with soap and water, toothpaste or other non-alcohol based cleaners, such as Fresh Guard.
It is important not to trim your mouthguard. With SISU, every part of the guard is an important player when it comes to getting the most protection out of your mouthguard: the perforations, the crumple zones, the boomerang shape. Not only will trimming the guard void any available dental warranty, but your teeth will be at a lot more risk for injury.
Nothing lasts forever. Over time and with a lot of usage, the material in your mouthguard will start to wear down. We recommend that you replace your mouthguard after every season to get the maximum protection. At the very least you should replace your SISU after the warranty runs out in one year.
50% of kids and teens will sustain at least one dental injury before graduation. SISU is a custom fit mouthguard that should stay snug and secure around your teeth. If you are able to chew on a SISU guard, chances are you've fitted it wrong. With this in mind, the general rule of thumb is that if it's not secure in your mouth, it's not protecting you.
A lot of dirty things go into a gym bag: cleats, sweaty pads, jerseys etc. Your mouthguard will stay a lot cleaner if it's not sharing space with sweaty socks in the duffle bag. Use a firm and perforated mouthguard case to prevent it from damage, germs and getting lost!
When it comes to mouth guard care and cleaning, a little common sense goes a long way. If you are unsure, err on the side of caution or pick up the phone and we'll walk you through the moral dilemma of the next crazy thing you want to attempt doing with your guard in place.
