Many children are starting their winter sports season, and researchers have warned that their mouthguards may need more careful cleaning. The study, conducted in Australia, examined mouthguards worn by under-12 Australian rules football players before training sessions. Mouthguards are important because they help protect teeth, gums and jaws during contact sports. However, the researchers found that poor cleaning can allow bacteria to build up.
The team studied ten young players who regularly wore mouthguards during training and matches. They took samples from the mouthguards, their storage cases, and the players’ mouths. Using powerful microscopes, they looked closely at the mouthguard surfaces. They found about 17 types of potentially harmful bacteria on the mouthguards and in the cases.
Some of these bacteria are linked to gum disease, tooth decay, mouth infections and breathing infections if they are inhaled. The researchers also found that the bacteria on the mouthguards were different from those in the players’ mouths. Although a mouthguard may look clean, tiny scratches, grooves and pits can appear over time. These small spaces can become hiding places where bacteria cling and multiply.
The study found that a quick rinse under the tap removed only 60 to 70% of bacteria. Other cleaning methods, such as some mouthwashes and denture-cleaning tablets, did not remove all the bacteria either. The best method was cleaning with a toothbrush and toothpaste, which removed up to 98% of bacteria. Researchers advise young players to rinse their mouthguards after use, clean them properly at home, dry them fully, and store them in a clean, ventilated case.
