Toothbrush Sanitation
There’s a lot of buzz these days about the need to improve and support our immune systems. And with the different diseases floating around the world, it definitely seems to be a good idea. Several articles on the internet guide us towards nutritional products that will improve our systems – but did you know that right now you probably have 500 – 1000 different kinds of bacteria in your bathroom that could affect your health?
The adult mouth is a breeding ground for these 500-1000 different kinds of bacteria, and yes, they will wind up on your toothbrush.
Toothbrush Solutions
So, what can you do about this dilemma? It may seem like common sense, but most people don’t know and abide by these simple rules: The easiest- buy a new toothbrush every 3-4 months. And if you get sick, which means different bacteria in your mouth, change the toothbrush out shortly after getting better. Sharing toothbrushes is definitely not recommended – it does seem a bit different from sharing a kiss. Another thought is to keep the lid down when flushing toilets (yes, it can splash, and if your toilet is near the sink, you can get the toilet bacteria on your brush). Storing your brush in a plastic container is NOT recommended in that the water still on the brush will not dry and can further breed bacteria.
Some other techniques include putting the toothbrush or dishwasher. A problem with this is that the bristles will fray and not perform properly when brushing. I like the idea of the UV Steralizer. Some Sonicare models have this as a feature and it has been shown scientifically to cut down on the number of bacteria. If you just rinse the brush well after use, store dry and in the open away from the toilet, and replace it frequently (3-4 months) you are conforming to the basic recommendations.
Floss
Don’t forget your floss! Use it once and pitch it out. If you floss your mouth and smell the floss at the end of that phase of your home care, you will be in for a shock – it’s smells real bad from the bacteria and the sulfide compounds that are generated. Don’t think about reusing it.
Add these simple tips to your arsenal and be healthy.