We all know that the key to maintaining good dental hygiene is to brush and floss regularly. When it comes to brushing, it is important to use a good, soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it when the bristles wear out. However, did you know that your toothbrush can also accumulate germs just sitting there? It should be no surprise that in the bacteria-rich environment of a toilet or bathroom, your toothbrush can collect all sorts of nasty contamination. That’s why this article will focus on how to clean a toothbrush to help you maintain a good oral hygiene routine.
How Your Toothbrush Collects Germs
This might be surprising: bacteria from your toilet can contaminate your toothbrush. That’s right; when you flush your toilet, the forceful flow of water that removes waste from the toilet bowl is enough to disperse particles of feces into the air. This aerosol of fecal matter can reach as high as several feet into the air. Worse still, studies show that these particles can end up on your toothbrush. Gross!
Plus, when you brush, you’re removing millions of bacteria that the toothbrush swept up from the inside of your mouth. Letting these sit and accumulate on your bristles is not a good idea.
Cleaning and properly storing your toothbrush is important to maintaining good overall hygiene. Just like you wash your hands after using the toilet, you should clean your toothbrush regularly, too.
How To Clean Your Toothbrush
Here are some tips on keeping your toothbrush clean:
- Rinse your toothbrush after every use. This is simple to do. After you’re done brushing, thoroughly rinse your toothbrush with water. This will remove any remaining toothpaste residue, dental plaque, and food particles.
- Keep your toothbrush upright. After rinsing your brush, keep it upright and let it air dry. Bacteria thrive in moist, damp, and dark conditions, so keep your toothbrush outside your medicine cabinet. Don’t rest the bristles against any surfaces, such as a sink. But, keep your toothbrush away from the toilet!
- Keep your toilet lid closed when you flush. To avoid the plume of bacteria coming out of a flushing toilet from contaminating anything around it, close the lid when you flush.
- Replace your toothbrush when it wears out. Keep an eye on your toothbrush bristles to see when to replace your brush. Worn-out bristles don’t clean plaque as effectively. A good general guideline is to replace the brush every three months.
- Wash your hands before and after brushing. You are most vulnerable to disease from bacteria that live on your hands and transfer to your brush. Washing your hands before and after you brush can prevent this.
- Don’t keep toothbrushes together. Storing toothbrushes in the same container or holder can cause germs to spread between them. It’s best to keep your toothbrushes apart.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped show you how to clean your toothbrush. Remember, if you have any questions about your oral hygiene, it’s always best to contact a qualified dental professional.
With over 13 years of combined experience, Hermosa Dental uses the most advanced technology to perform safe and comfortable dental procedures for all of our patients. We’re open on weekends and offer convenient and affordable appointments. If you have any questions or concerns, we’d be happy to help you. Call us at (713) 695-3400 for our East Little York location, (832) 427-1797 for our Highway 6 location, and (281) 747-7004 for our Porter location.