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How to clean a toothbrush and when to replace it?

You probably use your toothbrush every day to scrub plaque and bacteria off the surface of your teeth and tongue. While your mouth is left much cleaner after a thorough brushing, your toothbrush now carries the germs and residue from your mouth.

Your toothbrush is also probably stored in the bathroom, where bacteria can linger in the air.

Run hot water over it before and after each use:

The most basic go-to method of sanitizing your toothbrush is to run hot water over the bristles before and after each use. This gets rid of bacteria that may have collected on the toothbrush in the hours between brushings. It also eliminates new bacteria which may have accumulated after each use.

Soak it in antibacterial mouthwash:

If a hot water rinse isn’t enough to give you peace of mind, you can soak your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash. Keep in mind that doing this may wear out your toothbrush faster, as these mouthwashes usually contain harsh ingredients that make bristles break down.

This method involves letting your toothbrush sit, head down, in a small cup of mouthwash for about 2 minutes after each brushing.

UV toothbrush sanitizer:

You can also invest in an ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizer product made specially for toothbrushes.

How to keep a toothbrush clean:

Once your toothbrush has been disinfected, you can take steps to keep it clean. Storing your toothbrush correctly is probably as important as cleaning it after use. Store it in hydrogen peroxide solution that’s changed daily.

A 2011 study showed that keeping your toothbrush in a small cup of hydrogen peroxide is an economical way to keep bacterial growth to a minimum. Swap out the hydrogen peroxide each day before putting your toothbrush down, bristles first, into the cup.

Use a toothpaste dispenser:

When you apply toothpaste to your toothbrush, there’s always a chance that your toothbrush and the toothpaste tube will make contact and transfer bacteria.

You can use a toothpaste pump dispenser to reduce this risk of cross contamination.

When to replace your toothbrush:

Sometimes the best way to make sure you’re using a clean toothbrush is to simply replace it. As a general rule, you should replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 to 4 months.

You should also throw away your toothbrush in each of the following circumstances:

The bristles are worn out. If the bristles appear bent or frayed, your toothbrush can’t clean your teeth as effectively. Someone in your household is sick. If you or anyone in your household has had a contagious disease, such as strep throat or the flu, continuing to use your toothbrush can spread infectionTrusted Source.

You’ve shared your toothbrush. If someone else has used your toothbrush, there’s no way you can completely disinfect it. Everyone’s mouth flora is unique, and you shouldn’t be scrubbing your mouth with bacteria from someone else.

Takeaway:

Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria from your mouth. These bacteria can multiply if your toothbrush isn’t properly disinfected. Without proper disinfection, you’re trying to clean your mouth with a dirty toothbrush.

Cleaning your toothbrush with hot water between uses is probably enough for most people to feel that their toothbrush is sufficiently disinfected.

(12/06/2020)
by Kathryn Watson

More Information: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/how-to-clean-toothbrush

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