It can harbor bacteria, saliva, and other types of contaminants. Dentists explain how to clean them.
Dentists suggest that the toothbrush should be cleaned after each use, which for most people is three times a day. But are you doing it right?
Toothbrushes must be cleaned thoroughly as they store bacteria, other microorganisms, saliva and other contaminating bodies, Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific advisor to the British Dental Association , explains to the British edition of HuffPost .
And there is still more. A study from the University of Manchester concluded that there are more than 10 million bacteria on each toothbrush .
Fortunately, there is no evidence that a toothbrush can cause health problems (although experts agree that more research is lacking in this field), but it is still advisable to keep your toothbrush clean.
How do you clean it properly?
There are several options. “The best thing to do is wash your hands with soap before brushing your teeth and again when you’re done,” explains dental hygienist Anna Middleton.
Afterwards, you simply have to rinse the bristles under running water to remove any remaining toothpaste and leave the brush placed vertically to dry. The hood should not be covered with the brush if it is still damp as germs and mold may appear.
To keep them clean and germ-free, sharing brushes with other family members should be avoided, in addition to keeping them away from the toilet, lowering the lid each time the toilet is flushed.
It is believed that the aerosols released after doing so can travel several feet beyond the toilet and, according to research from the University of Alabama, toothbrushes can become contaminated with fecal matter that reaches the bristles.
For extra cleaning, antibacterial mouthwash can be applied to the brush head for 30 seconds while it is rotated to disinfect the bristles. Dr Chaw-Su Kyi from the West London Orthodontist Clinic recommends doing this every two weeks.
“Denture cleaners can also be used,” adds the doctor. “They are used to disinfect dentures or appliances that have a plastic component, and can be used safely for toothbrushing.”
If you want to clean the handle, you can use an antibacterial wipe, suggests Middleton. “There are also UV sterilizers for toothbrushes on the market that can help you kill some microorganisms,” he adds.
How often do you have to change the toothbrush?
The general consensus is that the toothbrush (or the head if it is electric) should be changed every three or four months, although Middleton suggests doing it sooner if we have found ourselves unwell.
“Some viruses can stay up to three days on your toothbrush, so never share it as it can make someone sick,” he explains. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , it is more important than ever to keep this in mind.
Changing the brush is not only a good hygiene practice, it is also necessary to do so because the bristles weaken after a period of use, which means that they do not provide the best possible cleaning.
Cleaning the brush regularly is a good idea, no matter what method is used. “It’s all part of having a hygiene routine,” concludes Dr. Chaw-Su Kyi. “We wash our hands, we don’t wear the same clothes for a year, so there is no reason not to clean the brush with water after use or not to replace it every three months.”
