Everybody knows that cleaning your teeth is important. It prevents cavities, pain, and tooth decay. What most people don’t realize is that keeping your toothbrush clean is just as important as keeping your teeth clean. It’s the tool that scrubs away all the bacteria, but when the bacteria clings a little too tightly to the bristles something needs to be done. Without a clean toothbrush you don’t have clean teeth, so take a moment to learn how to best take care of your toothbrush.
UV Sanitizer.
If you’re on the market for an effective mechanism to clean your toothbrush you may want to buy a UV light Sanitizer. While the CDC says it’s unnecessary to use a UV Sanitizer it can be highly effective. According to a study in 2022 in it was found that UV sanitizer reduced bacteria on a toothbrush by 77 percent! As effective as UV light Sanitizer is it’s also very expensive. So, you may want to consider the rest of your options first.
Denture Cleaners.
Another easy way to clean your toothbrush is to use a denture-cleaning solution. A denture cleaner solution is made up of antimicrobial ingredients that will cleanse the bacteria and plaque right off the bristles. If you dissolve half a tablet in a cup of water and you leave your toothbrush in for 90 seconds you’ll have a clean toothbrush, almost as good as new.
Antibacterial Mouthwash
Another option is to let your toothbrush soak in mouthwash for about 2 minutes after brushing. It’s important to keep in mind that using antibacterial mouthwash will wear out your toothbrush, because it contains harsher ingredients that will break down the bristles.
Hot Water
You can also soak your toothbrush in boiling water. All you need to do is boil some water and dip the head of your toothbrush in for about 30 seconds. Make sure you don’t drop the whole toothbrush in or let it soak for too long or else the plastic may start to melt.
Homemade Disinfectant Solutions
There are a couple of homemade disinfecting solutions you can use to clean your toothbrush as well. These are great options if you’re looking for a cheap and easy solution.
First, there is the hydrogen peroxide solution. A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is one of the most effective ways to cleanse your toothbrush. In 2022 a study was done that found that using this solution reduces bacteria by 87%.
You can also use white vinegar to clean your toothbrush. A study found that white vinegar was the most effective solution for killing the bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus.
The final Disinfectant solution you can use is baking soda and water. A teaspoon of baking soda and a cup of water should create a perfect cleansing solution. Let your toothbrush soak for about 15 minutes to give this solution enough time to work its magic!
These solutions are perfect for a quick cleaning after you’ve been sick or if you’re a germ-a-phoebe! While your toothbrush may need a disinfectant solution occasionally, it always needs consistent care. There are several ways to take better care of your toothbrush, here are some of them.
Rinse with Hot Water
Most people will run the bristles under the water after they finish brushing to rinse off any leftover bacteria or toothpaste. What most people don’t do is rinse their toothbrush with hot water before they begin brushing. This is just as useful because it gets rid of all the bacteria that has collected on your toothbrush since the last rinse.
Let your toothbrush air-dry
After rinsing your toothbrush it’s important that you let it air dry instead of placing it in a container. If the air is unable to circulate and completely dry the bristles, then you’re creating a very welcoming environment for bacteria to grow.
Keep Away from the Toilet
You’ve probably never considered that flushing the toilet could affect your toothbrush, but it can. If the lid to the toilet is kept up when you flush little sprinkles of water will fly out, potentially landing on your toothbrush. It’s important to keep the toilet lid down and your toothbrush out of reach from the droplets.
Don’t Share
Sharing your toothbrush with a friend or family member is one of the biggest mistakes you could make. When you share your toothbrush bacteria is also being shared which can lead to one or both of you getting sick.
Distance your Toothbrush
You want to make sure the bristles on your toothbrush don’t rub against the bristles of someone else’s. This makes it very easy for germs to spread. And once again you and your friend to family member could end up sick. You may want to consider getting a separate cup for each toothbrush in the house.
Clean Toothbrush Containers
To effectively keep your toothbrush clean you need to keep the surface around your toothbrush clean. Any container or cup you use to hold your toothbrush should undergo a thorough cleaning every two weeks to keep the bacteria at bay.
Don’t Keep it for too Long
According to the American Dental Association, you should get a new toothbrush every 3-4 months. This is about the length of time it takes for a toothbrush to become worn out. Once the bristles start to become splayed and soft it’s high time to get a new one.
Keeping your toothbrush clean is just as important as keeping your teeth clean! In your pursuit of perfect pearly white teeth, don’t forget these simple ways to disinfect and take care of your toothbrush.
Maryville Family Dental offers homecare advice for all of your dental needs. Schedule an appointment with us today!
