Dental Hygiene: 5 Tips For Cleaning Your Toothbrush
American researchers have just discovered that our toothbrushes are real breeding grounds for viruses. In the bathroom, the heat and humidity conditions are conducive to the proliferation of microbes, hence the importance of properly maintaining the accessories found there. We will give you 5 tips for cleaning your toothbrush, whether it's a manual brush or an electric toothbrush head.
1- Rinse your brush after each use.
The toothbrush is the essential accessory for good dental hygiene: it helps remove food residues stuck between teeth, prevent cavities, and keep teeth and gums healthy.
However, for this brush to continue fulfilling its mission without becoming a breeding ground for germs, you must remember to rinse it well after each use.
Preferably use hot water, which softens the bristles of the brush. This is the first tip to know for properly cleaning your toothbrush and eliminating bacteria that could develop on it.
2- Dry the brush vertically.
The second of the 5 tips for cleaning your toothbrush is to dry it thoroughly. To prevent bacterial growth, it is best to let it air dry upright, with the head facing up.
Avoid storing it in a case or placing it on the edge of the sink, as these habits promote moisture and thus the development of microbes.
Since this accessory is personal and a potential source of contamination, make sure not to let it come into contact with other family members' toothbrushes.
3- Change your toothbrush every three months
It's advice that dentists often repeat, but we too often forget: it is important to change your toothbrush every three months on average to keep this accessory effective.
Since bristles are subject to wear, it's not enough to clean your toothbrush every day. You should also replace it as soon as the bristles are damaged.
This renewal ensures good dental hygiene because:
• it reduces your mouth's exposure to bacteria.
• it guarantees effective cleaning. New bristles are more efficient at removing plaque and thus preventing cavities and gum problems.
4- Change your toothbrush after an illness
If you have been sick, do not wait for the 3-month period to change your toothbrush. As soon as your cold or gastroenteritis symptoms improve, replace your brush with a new one, regardless of its wear!
In this case, the goal is to avoid reinfection. Indeed, microbes can persist on this accessory for several weeks, even if you take care to clean your toothbrush!
5- Boil the toothbrush
If you want to disinfect your toothbrush after an illness or simply for better hygiene, you can use another very easy trick.
Boiling water is very effective for eliminating microbes without using chemicals. Simply immerse your brush in a glass of boiling water and let it cool down before draining the brush and rinsing it with cold water.
This sterilization method is both simple and economical. It also proves effective for cleaning electric toothbrush heads that often accumulate toothpaste residue inside the head.
But be careful: it should be used sparingly because boiling water can damage the bristles of the brush!
Good to know
The study by American researcher Erica Hartmann from Northwestern University revealed the presence of more than 600 bacteriophage viruses on our toothbrushes. However, it should be noted that these bacteria-killing viruses are harmless to humans.
The results of this recent American study should not worry you. On the contrary, they could open new perspectives in the fight against resistant bacteria.
Bacteriophages are a serious avenue for tackling bacteria that resist conventional antibiotics. Several research teams around the world are currently working on the development of phage therapy treatments.
