How to Keep Your Toothbrush Clean
I have to take better care of my teeth. That’s the lesson I learned multiple cavities and three crowns later.
I was a child who dreaded going to the dentist, and I’ve now advanced into an adult who still dreads going to the dentist but does her best to make the trip less traumatic. I floss every day now. And I do my best to brush my teeth the right way.
Recently, however, when I was brushing my teeth, I realized there was an important part of my oral care that I was neglecting: the toothbrush itself. Considering how much I was relying on this little brush to keep my teeth clean, I never paid much attention to the cleaning of the utensil itself.
How Should You Keep Your Toothbrush Clean?
First, it’s worth noting that although a toothbrush can harbor bacteria even when it looks visibly clean, there’s no evidence that bacteria will cause adverse health effects.
That being said, there are still general guidelines you can follow for better toothbrush care and hygiene. You should rinse your toothbrush with tap water until it’s clean, then store it in an upright position and let it air-dry, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. Avoid covering or storing your moist toothbrush in a closed container, which can promote the growth of bacteria.
Can You Sanitize a Toothbrush With Mouthwash?
If you’ve ever considered soaking your toothbrush in mouthwash to sanitize it, you wouldn’t be that far off the mark in terms of thinking it might work. According to a study, immersing a toothbrush in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide or certain mouthwashes can reduce bacterial colonization.
However, the CDC cautions against this method because soaking toothbrushes in disinfecting solutions or mouthwash may actually spread germs under certain conditions. Disinfecting your toothbrush through more creative means, such as using dishwashers, microwaves, or ultraviolet devices, is also discouraged, in part because you might risk damaging the brush.
