Did you know that your innocent looking toothbrush could be home to more than 100 million bacteria including E. coli and staphylococci (Staph) bacteria according to a UK study?
Your mouth is full of bacteria and if you have been unwell recently then viruses and bacteria can live for weeks on your toothbrush so every time you brush you could be making yourself poorly again. It could also be spreading onto your family’s toothbrushes, in turn, making them unwell.
If you keep your toothbrush next to your bathroom sink then you need to stop right now! In fact, throw it away and get a new one. Not only will your toothbrush have splashes of germs from handwashing but if anyone flushes the toilet you will be sending particles of faecal – yep poo, into the air and likely landing on your toothbrush.
We’re not suggesting you stop brushing your teeth just take some simple steps to take care of your toothbrush.
Here are our top tips for keeping your toothbrush clean
1) Replace your brush often, at least once every 3 months. Replacing your brush stops the germs from building up to undesirable levels.
2) Don’t keep your brush out in the open bathroom to avoid handwashing germs and toilet germs. Keep them either in your bathroom cupboard or airing cupboard.
3) Don’t store your family’s toothbrush together in the same cup holder. There are many individual holders now which stop the toothbrushes from coming into contact with one another. This will help minimise the chances of cross infection.
4) Make sure to give your toothbrush a good rinse after using. This will help to wash away any germy plaque and food deposits. It would also help to occasional soak your toothbrush in an antibacterial mouthwash occasionally.
5) Let your toothbrush dry out between uses. The germs in your mouth love a damp environment that’s why they do so well in your mouth. You can help your toothbrush to dry out by leaving it uncovered. Storing your toothbrush in a plastic bag or using a toothbrush cap could actually be more unhygienic then leaving it uncovered.
Regular visits to your dentist are essential to keep your mouth healthy…
