What about your toothbrush?
When you routinely brush your teeth with a flouride toothpaste, and when you do it properly, it is beneficial to your mouth. It can reduce the amount of plaque, which contains the bacteria associated with gum disease and tooth decay, as well as provide the cavity-preventing benefits of flouride.
The mouth is home to millions of microorganisms (germs). When we remove plaque and soft debris from the teeth, toothbrushes become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva, oral debris and toothpaste. Because of this contamination, a common recommedation is to rinse one's toothbrush thoroughly with tap water following brushing. Research has suggested that even after being rinsed visibly clean, toothbrushes can remain contaminated with potentially pathogenic organisms. So in response to this, various means of cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing toothbrushes between uses have been developed. However, there is no published research data documents that brushing with a contaminated toothbrush has led to recontamination of a user's mouth, oral infeciton or other adverse health effects.
Recommended Toothbrush Care
- Do not share toothbrushes. It increases your risk of infections, a particularly important consideration for persons with compromised immune systems or infectious diseases.
- After brushing, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water to ensure the removal of toothpaste and debris, allow it to air-dry, and store it in an upright position. If multiple brushes are stored in the same holder, do not allow them to touch each other.
- You don't need to soak toothbrushes in disinfecting solution or mouthwash. If you do, it can actually lead to cross-contamination, if the toothbrushes are in the same solution.
- It is also unnecessary to use dishwashers, microwaves or ultraviolet devices to disinfect. They can damage the toothbrushes.
- Do not cover or store your toothbrushes. It makes the environment humid and can be more conducive to bacterial growth. Let your toothbrushes air dry.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if bristles appear worn or splayed. This recommedation is based on the wear of the toothbrush and not on the bacterial contamination.
