Blog highlights:

• Keeping your toothbrush clean is as important as using it on a daily basis
• The microbes on your toothbrush can come from your mouth, from the place where you keep the toothbrush or from the manufacturer itself
• Let your toothbrush air dry after use, avoid covering them or keeping them in closed containers especially in dark, damp cabinets
• You should replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months since worn out bristles cannot be used to properly clean your teeth

A toothbrush is a very personal item that you need to clean after every use. Many of us would never want to put anything dirty in our mouths. But did you know that our toothbrushes can harbor microbes without you knowing about it?

Caring for your toothbrush and making sure that it is clean on a daily basis is as important as making sure that you use it twice a day for your oral health. Scientists have recently discovered that toothbrushes can actually harbor microbes that can come from your mouth, the environment where the toothbrush was stored, or from the manufacturer itself. This is why you need to carefully wash new toothbrushes, and this is also why you need to rinse them carefully after using.

So you can remove any toothpaste or food debris left on the brush, use a steady stream of water and tap it afterward to remove the excess water within the bristles. Store the toothbrush in an upright position and make sure that it does not come into contact with another toothbrush. You should also make sure that the bristles will not touch any dirty surface within the bathroom. Allowing the toothbrush to air dry can help kill bacteria. This will ensure that you will be using a clean toothbrush the next time around.

The ADA, as well as the Council on Scientific affairs, also recommend that you avoid sharing toothbrushes and that you avoid keeping your toothbrush in closed containers or in their covers. This is because keeping them closed will also keep them moist. This can help bacteria to thrive especially if you store your toothbrushes in dark, damp cabinets. They also recommend that you change your toothbrush after 3-4 months of use since its effectiveness decreases if the bristles are worn out.