Mouth guards are worn to protect your teeth during sparring. Worn frequently, mouth guards can become smelly and filled with calcium and plaque, which is a constant deposit of bacteria that can do more harm than good. Here are some steps to follow to make sure you keep your mouth guard in tip top shape.
1. Get a toothbrush specifically for the purpose of cleaning your Mouth Guard. Use a free one from the dentist or buy one from the dollar store, it doesn't have to be a fancy one. Don't use the same toothbrush you use to clean your teeth.
2. Put a small amount of dishwashing soap on the toothbrush. Antibacterial soap works well too. (If you feel like you need to you can also use a tiny dot of bleach).
3. Use warm to hot water to create suds as you brush your mouth guard under the sink. Pay special attention to scrubbing out pockets of dirt or plaque.
4. When you've finished scrubbing make sure to rinse out your mouth guard underwater removing excess suds and any debris.
5. Before putting it back in the case make sure to clean and rinse out the case regularly just as your mouth guard gets dirty, so does the case. Use a gentle soap solution.
And there you have it! 5 easy steps to keep your mouth guard clean.