Our mouth is home to 6 million bacteria including living organisms that live in the plaque of our teeth. So, it’s no wonder that small microorganisms and germs start collecting on the bristles of our toothbrushes; and the sad part is, most of us do not often think about cleaning or disinfecting our toothbrushes (just because we are too busy cleaning our mouth).

Not only that but few small bacteria from your toilet also collect up on your toothbrush because when you flush a toilet, the sloshing motion of water starts removing the waste and gets mixed with small particles of the waste. After that, the particles and the water shoot aerosolized feces which is generally known as fecal coliform bacteria which eventually starts shooting in the air.

What happens next? These germs and bacteria collect on your toothbrush and cause serious health problems.

However, as long as you are cleaning or disinfecting your toothbrush and knowing when to replace it, you can probably maintain good oral hygiene.

After all, what’s the point of brushing teeth when your toothbrush is already dirty and full of germs?

So, let’s move on to learn how should you disinfect your toothbrush and keep it clean from regular dirt.

How to Disinfect your Toothbrush?

Like most people, we are reminded each morning about the millions of germs and bacteria that grow in our mouth- which is basically a primary reason to brush our teeth every morning before breakfast.  But have you ever wondered where do those bacteria go? Well, yes most of them get killed, but too many of the germs still collect on the toothbrush.

So how to get rid of those bacteria and germs? The only solution is- disinfecting your toothbrush. Let’s find out the methods to do that to maintain good oral health.

  • Wash your hands before and after brushing:

First of all, it’s important to wash your hands with hand sanitizers and clean water for more than 30 seconds whenever you touch your toothbrush.

Because our hands are the primary sources of transmitting bacteria and germs, so when you wash your hands carefully before touching the toothbrush, you can ultimately stop the spread of germs that starts collecting at the bristles.

  • Rinse your toothbrush with tap water:

It’s always recommended to rinse your toothbrush with tap water as it helps to remove all the remaining particles, plaque debris, and other germs as per American Dental Association (ADA).

Once you rinse, make sure you are keeping the toothbrush in an upright position as it needs to be air-dried. Because the bacteria that collects on your toothbrush are anaerobic. It means they usually die when there is sufficient oxygen. So, air-drying can kill most germs and bacteria.

  • Use toothbrush sanitizers:

Did you know a good toothbrush sanitizer kills 99.9% of bacteria on your toothbrush?

It even destroys the small molecular bonds held together by viruses and bacteria.

The toothbrush sanitizers contain natural ultraviolet light that kills 99% of bacteria. Yes, instead of killing those harmful bacteria inside your mouth, a toothbrush sanitizer like Bril kills them from the source so they never create again.

It’s the most useful and effective way to kill germs and bacteria and save yourself from dirt that causes unlimited health problems.

According to a new study by CDC, the UV-C light in the Bril toothbrush sanitizer kills all the germs that cause diarrhea, meningitis, and pneumonia.

  • Keep the toothbrush safe when traveling:

If you are traveling, make sure your toothbrush is free from germs. To provide more protection, you can simply unpack it, remove the case, and store it in a safe place.

Air-dry the toothbrush as long as you can. When it gets fully dry, put it back in the travel case as this is the most essential step to keep it safe from germs.

  • Know when to replace it:

If you want to make sure that you are using a clean toothbrush that has uncontaminated bristles, simply replace it! When its bristles become matted or frayed, it’s better to replace them. Ideally, you should replace your toothbrush after every 3-4 months.

Because the plaque-removing efficacy of your brush starts declining when the bristles become hard and worn.

How to Keep it Clean?

There are different ways to keep your toothbrush clean and germ-free. Some of the tested and proven methods are mentioned below:

  • Use hydrogen peroxide:

Soak the toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide for just around 4-5 minutes. Once you soak, rinse it properly with warm water. It will remove all the remaining particles and debris.

It’s also one of the most affordable ways to reduce bacterial growth. Use hydrogen peroxide each day before using your toothbrush as it will keep the bristles clean and fresh, and your mouth will be free from all the germs.

  • Use mouthwash:

Just like you place your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide, soak it in an antibacterial mouthwash as it also helps remove all the germs and dirt. Once you soak it for 5 minutes, rinse it with warm water.

  • Keep it away from the toilet:

When you flush your toilet, the fecal matter and the water rises and mixed with the air that ultimately contaminates your toothbrush bristles. So, it’s recommended to keep it away from the toilet.

  • Do not forget to clean the covers:

Germs, bacteria, and viruses on your toothbrush can immediately contaminate the cover and container you use to hold the toothbrush.

So, it’s important to clean the cover every day after using the toothbrush so you can stop bacteria from taking hold and multiply.

  • Boil it:

It’s also recommended to place the toothbrush in boiled water for just 2 minutes, as it does not cause any harm to the bristles and kill all the germs.

Final Thoughts:

As explained earlier, our mouth is a house to colonies of harmful microbes that grow each day to cause severe diseases. If you want to prevent illness, it’s better to take the necessary steps and follow the above-mentioned suggestions that help keep your toothbrush disinfected and clean.

Visit Teeth Whitening Adelaide to learn more about cleaning and teeth whitening products that help maintain the best oral hygiene.