Your toothbrush may not be as clean as you think. The average toothbrush is home to around 10 million bacteria, including porphy-romonas gingivalis and mutans streptococcus. Porphy-romonas gingivalis can cause gum disease, and mutans streptococcus can lead to enamel damage and tooth decay.
How you store your brush has a lot to do with how clean it is. To ensure you keep your toothbrush in tip-top shape, here are four healthy storage tips you should follow.
The placement of your toothbrush has a lot to do with the germs it encounters. Store your brush in an area with the least amount of exposure to germs. You should never store your brush anywhere near a toilet. Small waste particles disperse into the air after each flush, and the bacteria-filled water droplets can travel nearly 3 feet away from the bowl and onto your toothbrush.
The area directly next to your sink is equally troublesome. Each time you wash your hands, the dirty water could splatter and land on the brush. If you don't have a bathroom large enough to avoid these hazards, the medicine cabinet is a safer option. Just ensure you keep the cabinet clean and that there is ample air circulation.
Your saliva is not a cleaning agent for your toothbrush. Food particles sometimes get lodged between a brushes' bristles. Over time, the particles may start to rot and cause even more bacteria to form. More important, the leftover food particles get reintroduced into your mouth each time you brush.
Toothpaste can also cake up inside the bristles. You must rinse your toothbrush after each use. Wash your hands and place the brush under a stream of hot water for a few moments. Gently glide your finger along the bristles to ensure the water penetrates through. For a deeper clean, soak the brush in a cup of antibacterial mouthwash.
When you store more than one toothbrush in the same space, you multiply the germs. Always store each family members' toothbrush in its own holder. No matter how hard you try, the brush heads will come in contact with each other at some point.
You would not dream of sharing a toothbrush with someone else. Yet, when you share the same space, you're basically doing the same thing. Each time the brushes meet, they transfer germs. When one person has a cold or another viral infection, bacteria can travel between the two brush heads and make the other person sick.
Toss out your toothbrushes and your holder and buy new sets for both you and your partner to start off fresh.
The moisture and bacteria from a damp toothbrush settle at the base of the brush holder. The dark and moist environment at the bottom of the holder is ideal for bacteria to flourish. If the holder is dirty, so is your toothbrush. Clean the container each time you clean your bathroom or once a week.
Use a bristle brush to scrub away buildup while rinsing the holder with hot water. Fill the holder with an antibacterial mouthwash and let it rest for a few minutes to sanitize the cup. Rinse the holder again and allow the container to air dry before you put the brushes back inside.
When you keep your toothbrush clean, you help keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthier. For more storage questions or any oral health concerns, Family Dental Care of Wilmington
is here to help. We want to help keep you and your family's smiles healthy and vibrant. Contact our office for assistance.
