Apr 8, 2008 11:06 pm US/Eastern
Dirty Mouth Guards Threaten Young Athletes
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Anyone who has watched a high school lacrosse game knows it's a rough sport. Players charge down the field with their sticks flying wildly in the air. Getting hit is fairly common. That's why players are required to wear mouth guards.
The small pieces of molded plastic not only protect those young smiles, they have also been proven to help prevent more serious injuries, like concussions. But that crucial piece of safety gear may actually pose a danger to young athletes.
"Every time an athlete puts a mouth guard in their mouth, it's like putting a handful of dirt in his mouth," explained microbiologist Tom Glass of Oklahoma State University.
In a recently published study, Glass and his colleagues swabbed dozens of mouth guards used by young athletes. The scientists knew they'd find some bacteria, but they say they were shocked by just how much.
"The mouth guard becomes highly, highly contaminated," said Glass.
Mouth guards are porous to allow for flexibility and fit, but that also makes it easier for the bacteria to grow. Dr. Glass believes the potential for problems go far beyond the athlete's mouth.
"We're worried about the effect in the lungs with exercise induced asthma from molds," he said. "We're (also) worried about the bacteria in the stomach that will produce toxins that will cause nausea and vomiting."
If there is a cut in the mouth and the bacteria gets into the bloodstream, Glass says potential for harm becomes much more serious.
"We have found Staphylococcus Aureus that are Methicillin resistant and of course, this can be a fatal episode," he warned.
A parent watching a recent scrimmage at Boston College High School admitted his son threw his mouth piece into his bag and left it there after every game.
"They should probably wash them and keep up with it," he said. "But I don't think they do."
The problem is washing or even boiling the mouth guard isn't enough to get rid of all the bacteria. Glass suggests replacing the piece about once every two weeks.
Rachel Goldman of Needham was surprised by the findings. She said the possibility never even crossed her mind.
"I'm trying to think of the last time I bought a mouth guard for him, probably last season," she said.
For most, mouth guards cost only a few dollars a piece so it might be a worthwhile investment. But for kids with braces or other special needs, they can get pricey. Dr. Glass is working on a follow-up study to see if he can figure out an effective way to clean them in between uses. Those results are due in May.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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