Your toothbrush is something you use twice a day, it’s no surprise it picks up a lot of germs, and not just the germs it brushes off your teeth!
According to a study done at The University of Manchester in England, the average toothbrush contains up to 10 million bacteria including E.coli and Staph bacteria. Mouths are a breeding ground for germs at any given time regardless of what your toothbrush does. The human mouth contains 100-200 species of oral bacteria that live in your mouth.
Studies have been done to show the relationship of how close your toothbrush is to the toilet can be a big determiner of how many bacteria are on your toothbrush. Also, bacteria that splash in the sink can make a big difference on the toothbrush surfaces as well.
Knowing that your toothbrush and mouth are full of germs can be a bit unsettling, however there are some solutions that might make you feel more at ease. Your mouth is full of bacteria and initially that sounds terrible, however, some of the bacteria are actually good for your mouth and can help keep your mouth healthy by protecting your teeth and gums.
We know more than ever before about things you can do to keep your toothbrush clean as well.
- It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head if you use an electric toothbrush) at least every 3 months.
- Don’t share your toothbrush or toothpaste, it is best if everyone in the family has their own of each.
- Don’t store your toothbrush in an airtight case. It is important that your toothbrush can dry between brushing to keep mold from growing. It is also recommended that your toothbrush is kept in an upright position rather than horizontally to allow it to better dry.
- Use the right toothpaste. Most toothpaste does kill germs, but toothpaste that contains triclosan or copolymer are best at killing oral bacteria.
- You can occasionally soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide to help kill bacteria that linger on the bristles.
There are new products on the market such as the Steripod ® that allow your toothbrush to dry, but also release sterilizing vapors to help protect your toothbrush from atmospheric germs that might be preventable. http://www.toothbrushsanitizer.com/