Can you believe that people have probably gone years without thoroughly cleaning their toothbrushes? And no, simply dipping them into water doesn’t count as cleaning.
Are they unaware of the harm they can cause to themselves by not keeping a clean toothbrush? Or are they just forgetful? Maybe they think it’s too much work.
Whatever the reason, a clean toothbrush leads to a clean mouth and that should be enough motivation to keep your brush nice and free of bad bacteria. There are very easy ways to do that as well, so you might want to take notes.
#1: Rinse
No one wants to grab a toothbrush that still has food and toothpaste from its previous use. Every time you brush your teeth, you should rinse your brush thoroughly under warm running water.
Not only is having old food debris and toothpaste on your brush just…gross. But it also causes bacteria to build up on the brush and in turn, it can bring harm to your body through your mouth.
#2: Air Dry
You may not realize it, but your toothbrush can become filthy because of the environment it’s stored in. It’s especially easy for bacteria to grow in a damp environment.
So, try not to keep your brush in a closed container or use a toothbrush cover. Allow your brush to air dry instead and keep it upright in a well-ventilated area.
#3: Disinfect
No, you don’t have to grab the gloves and bleach. If you want to properly disinfect your toothbrush, you can just soak it in an antibacterial solution.
At least once a week, take a container like a cup or small bowl and pour in some hydrogen peroxide or even just some water with baking soda. Then let your toothbrush stay submerged in the solution of your choice for at least 10-15 minutes. You could go for a quick walk or finish a chapter of that book you’ve been meaning to read for months during those minutes.
#4: Replace
After a while, you probably can tell when a toothbrush has had enough and you should just throw it away. It’s not good to keep the same brush for more than 3 months, so remember to change it out regularly.
Make it a habit to switch toothbrushes every few months or when the bristles are worn due to wear and tear. You’ll definitely be able to tell when a brush is basically done, whether it be because of its visible appearance or if a terrible scent is coming from it.
#5: Clean Toothbrush Holder
Everyone more than likely has a place that holds their toothbrush rather than just letting it lay on the counter. This goes especially to those who live in a household with multiple people and they certainly don’t want toothbrushes scattered everywhere, right?
While keeping your toothbrush is the main focus of this article, cleaning your toothbrush holder is just as important. If that’s not even clean, then why would you expect your own toothbrush to be unsoiled when it’s been sitting in germs?
#6: Don’t Share
Okay, does anyone feel like sharing your toothbrush is the same as sharing your underwear? You just don’t do it? Well, in the case of your toothbrush, sharing is NOT caring.
We don’t know where people’s mouths have been and vice versa. Basically, we don’t want to get sick because of others and we don’t want others to get sick because of us.
Even if you rigorously cleaned your toothbrush before or after someone uses it, there’s still a chance that some bacteria or virus can infect you or the person you shared your brush with. So simply put, don’t share your toothbrush!
#7: Extra Disinfection
It never hurts to be extra careful when it comes to your toothbrush’s condition. Fortunately, there are products that can help with that!
Try looking for a toothbrush sanitizer or a UV cleaner for some additional disinfection. Sure, most of them can be considered expensive, but it’ll be worth it in the long run. Just think of them as added security to ensure that you stay healthy by having a thoroughly cleaned toothbrush.