If you want to ensure that your teeth are as healthy as possible, it's essential to clean and store your toothbrush properly. For valuable tips about toothbrush storage, simply continue reading.
Wash your hands before you brush your teeth
Get into the habit of washing your hands before you brush your teeth if your hands are unclean and you touch your brush handle, the germs on your hands can transfer to your toothbrush. For this reason, it's a great idea to use antibacterial soap to wash your hands before you brush your teeth.
Always thoroughly rinse your toothbrush head with water once you've finished brushing your teeth to remove any excess toothpaste, saliva, and bacteria from your toothbrush. It's essential to use warm water instead of cold water, as it will help loosen up the bristles on your toothbrush, making it easier to remove leftover debris from your toothbrush head.
Take the time to rinse your toothbrush handle quickly, as bacteria can spread on your toothbrush handle due to toothpaste, water, and saliva running down your toothbrush. Remember that if bacteria grow on your toothbrush handle, it can spread to the head of your toothbrush, which is unsanitary.
Let your toothbrush air-dry
Make sure to let your brush air dry by standing it up. Never leave your brush on its side, as it won't dry out properly. If you immediately place your toothbrush in a plastic container or place a cap on your toothbrush head and your bristles are still wet, bacteria will quickly spread. So it's a smart idea to avoid using brush ca and containers on an everyday basis. However, you may still want to place your brush in a travel case from time to time to keep it clean when you travel.
Over time, the bristles on your brush will wear down and far less effective at removing plaque from your teeth. For this reason, it's crucial to swap out your brush every 3 months if you opt for a manual brush or to replace the head on your brush every 3 months if you use an electric toothbrush.
Keep in mind that there are occasions when you may want to swap out your brush or brush head earlier. For example, if you become sick or someone who shares a bathroom with you becomes ill, replace your brush or brush head when you or your family member has recovered.
If you share a bathroom with another or multiple members of your household, it's important to purchase a storage solution that offers individual holes for each brush, which will prevent your brush heads from touching each other. Storing multiple brushes in a glass is not a great idea, as some of your brushes may lean against each other, which can lead to cross-contamination.
If your toilet is not in a separate room from the sink where you brush your teeth, keep your toothbrush as far away from your toilet as possible. Make sure to put your toilet lid down when you flush your toilet to prevent spray from ending up on your toothbrush.
Consider using a UV light sanitizer.
If you want to take an extra step to take care of your dental hygiene and ensure that your brush is as clean as possible, you may want to use a UV light sanitizer to kill some of the bacteria present on your toothbrush. If you're keen, UV light sanitizers destroy the molecular bonds of the DNA of bacteria and viruses.
In conclusion, if you follow all the valuable toothbrush care tips conveniently listed above, you'll effectively minimize the bacteria on your toothbrush. Remember that the fewer bacteria on your toothbrush, the healthier your mouth, gums, and teeth will be.
