What Not to Do When Cleaning a Toothbrush

It seems like a simple, straightforward process that requires little to no expertise. Yet, many people fail to implement the basic rules of maintaining a clean toothbrush and end up putting their oral care in jeopardy. Here’s a comprehensive list of missteps to avoid when cleaning a toothbrush!

Upside-down placement

Even if you clean your toothbrush thoroughly on a regular basis, if you store it by placing it head-first into the bacterial build up of your cup, then it defeats the purpose of cleaning it in the first place.
Keep your brushes upright and clean your container at least once a week to remove the dirt residue and prevent any contamination.

Too close to the toilet

You’ve used it, washed it and rinsed it, and then you placed it less than 2 feet from your toilet? Then you expose your brush to water with microparticles of fecal matter that fill the air when you flush, which cannot be good for your oral health.
Store your brushes at least those 2 feet away from the toilet, rinse them before your next use, and flush with the lid down for good measure.

Harsh disinfection

The American Dental Association explains that using mouthwash or microwaves to clean your toothbrush doesn’t have any proven value added. On the contrary, it can cause damage to your bristles, making the brush less effective.
If you want to deep-clean your toothbrush, use a UV sanitizer which is perfectly safe and doubles as a storage container.

Avoid toothbrush kisses

Even when all of your family members follow the simple procedure of rinsing out food debris with hot water from the toothbrush before and after every brushing, things can still get dirty.
Letting your toothbrushes stand too close together and come in contact with each other can spread contamination as much as sharing a toothbrush with a family member, and neither is a good idea.

Simply put, stick to your wash and rinse strategy mixed with a trusty sanitizer, and you needn’t worry about those pesky bacteria, especially if you listen to your dentist and get a new brush every three to four months!