How clean is your toothbrush?

Your toothbrush helps keeps your teeth and gums healthy and clean. For that, it needs to be clean itself!

Where do you keep your toothbrush?

Most people have small bathrooms. Perhaps you keep it on the flush tank or near the sink 2-3 feet from the toilet. Every time a toilet it flushed, numerous air-borne bacteria are sprayed into the air. Many may find their way to a nearby toothbrush and lodge themselves there comfortably. This would make your toothbrush a breeding ground for bacteria which would find their way into your mouth eventually.

Store your toothbrush away from your toilet. If your bathroom is small, a bathroom cabinet would be a good idea. You can store it in your room too.

Moist brushes are a hot-bed of germs

How do you store your toothbrush?

Perhaps you keep your toothbrush horizontally, lying on a shelf. You may be very conscientious and keep the toothbrush head in a little plastic case, hoping that it stays clean. Unfortunately, a moist toothbrush head in a closed plastic case is a safe haven for bacteria. They flock there, breed actively and wait for an opportunity to get into your mouth.

Do not enclose the moist brush head in a plastic case or let it lie on its side in a puddle of water. It would be best to store your toothbrush in an upright position. Let the water drain away and allow it to dry before enclosing it.

Keep in mind…

- DO wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly before brushing.

- DO rinse your brush thoroughly before and after use, preferably in warm water.

- DO change your brush every three months. Even the brush head on an electric tooth-brush needs to be changed as often. Change it sooner if the bristles are obviously frayed or if you have a weak immune system. Change your brush if you have been ill.

- DO NOT share your tooth-brush with anyone. It may be romantic to share a brush, but it is not as romantic to exchange germs.

- DO NOT store several brushes in close contact. Separate them out in individual holders.

 Ultra-violet light sanitization, heating brushes in microwaves  or spraying brushes with sanitizing sprays have not been shown to have any positive or negative health benefit.

Remember, there is no reason to panic! Our mouth harbors several types of bacteria and our bodies can take care of a few more bacteria from a tooth brush without succumbing to infection. That said, a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth should be maintained, prevention being better than cure. :)