Dental Care at Home
Tips to a Tidy Toothbrush
Okay, so you know you're supposed to change your toothbrush at the first sign of wear. What can you do to keep your toothbrush as clean as possible between fresh ones?
First, pay attention to where you store your toothbrush. Your bathroom's medicine cabinet is about the worst place to keep it; it's moist, warm, and dark, creating an ideal breeding environment for all kinds of undesirable microorganisms. Keep it out in the open, standing up in its own cup. And if possible, get it out of the bathroom and into a dryer environment, like a bedroom.Don't store your toothbrush with anyone else's; you could cross-contaminate your entire family, as bacteria can migrate from one toothbrush to the next.Sanitize the container your toothbrush sits in on a regular basis. Run it (but not your toothbrush) through the dishwasher every few days, or rinse it with a mild bleach solution (one teaspoon of bleach in one-half cup water). Wash your hands before and after brushing your teeth. Rinse your toothbrush well after brushing to remove any food particles that might be stuck in the bristles. Have two brushes that you use alternately. This allows the bristles to dry out between brushings. Kill germs by soaking your toothbrush in a mouth rinse that contains an antibacterial agent or alcohol. Try using a sanitizing agent to kill bacteria and other microbes on your toothbrush. Some use ultraviolet light to sterilize; others use chemicals. Neither method has garnered the American Dental Association's Seal of Approval, however, but they can't hurt. When you travel, be sure to clean the containers that hold your toothbrush and toothpaste (wash in hot, soapy water and allow them to dry thoroughly). Change your toothbrush, even if it was a new one, after you've been sick to avoid re-infecting yourself or others in your family. And here are a few things not to do:Don't put your toothbrush in the microwave to kill germs. Toothbrush bristles are normally attached with small metal staples; metal disrupts the microwave process and can damage your microwave.Don't put your toothbrush through the dishwasher. This will kill germs, but it will also damage the bristles and shorten your toothbrush's already short life. And, for the same reason, don't rinse your toothbrush with hot water. Finally, don't stretch your toothbrush beyond its three-month maximum life span. A fresh new toothbrush will go a long way towards keeping you healthier.