Do Not Place a Cap On Your Toothbrush
Most of us know the importance of practicing good oral hygiene by regularly brushing our teeth as well as why you should regularly replace your toothbrush. However, do you know how to store your toothbrush in a sanitary way? If your toothbrush is located in the bathroom near your toilet, you might want to rethink your setup. Read on to find out why that’s a bad idea.
Introducing Bacteria to Your Toothbrush
Every time you brush your teeth, bacteria is transferred from your mouth to your toothbrush. This is normal, as our mouths always contain some level of bacteria, some of which aren’t harmful.
However, bad bacteria can quickly outnumber good bacteria when your toothbrush is improperly stored, not kept clean, or exposed to other forms of bacteria. One such source of bacteria exposure could be coming from your toilet.
When you store your toothbrush within 6 feet of your toilet, fecal particles become airborne, landing on items within a short distance, such as the countertop, the floor, towels, and unfortunately, your toothbrush.
The Problem With Toothbrush Caps
Many people use toothbrush caps at some point in their lives, whether it’s to protect your toothbrush from the rest of your luggage when you go on vacation or just to store it on a day-to-day basis, falsely believing it’s more hygienic.
If you think the solution to protecting your toothbrush from airborne bacteria that comes from flushing the toilet is to cover it with a toothbrush cap, then I’m here to burst your bubble. Your toothbrush needs to be able to dry out and the best way to do this is to let it air dry.
When you place a cap over your wet toothbrush, this keeps your toothbrush wet for much longer. Instead of drying out, you create a moist and dark environment for harmful bacteria to grow, which is even less sanitary.
How to Sanitarily Store Your Toothbrush
The solution to protecting your toothbrush from fecal particles that spread into the air from flushing the toilet is to either put the toilet seat down before flushing or to store your toothbrush in another room or cupboard that will not be penetrable by the toilet.
In general, you should be storing your toothbrush upright and uncovered so it can airdry. Before storing your toothbrush, you should ensure that you’ve cleaned it thoroughly by running it under hot water to remove toothpaste, food particles, and other bacteria. You also need to regularly replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months and about even sooner if you are sick.
Final Thoughts
Your toothbrush is the most valuable tool you have when it comes to maintaining good oral health. However, while it’s supposed to be a force for good, it can quickly become tainted into something harmful if you don’t keep it clean or store it properly. Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day should keep your teeth healthy and reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
However, if your toothbrush contains harmful bacteria such as fecal particles and mold, then this won’t be the case. Always store your toothbrush far away from the toilet, rinse off your toothbrush before storing it, and get yourself a toothbrush holder so it can sit upright to air dry.
