Table of contents:
- Tips for storing toothbrushes so that they don't become a den of germs
- 1. Avoid storing toothbrushes near the toilet
- 2. Separate your toothbrush from other people's toothbrushes
- 3. Put the toothbrush in the open
- 4. Position the toothbrush face up
- 5. Routinely replace toothbrushes
Brushing your teeth is one of the mandatory rituals that are carried out every day to maintain cleanliness and dental health. But sometimes, you might just put down a toothbrush and don't store it the right way after using it. In fact, toothbrushes are very susceptible to becoming a den of germs and diseases, you know! So, is your way of storing toothbrushes correct? Come on, follow these tips!
Tips for storing toothbrushes so that they don't become a den of germs
1. Avoid storing toothbrushes near the toilet
Where do you keep your toothbrush? If you have been putting your toothbrush near the sink or toilet, it is likely that the toothbrush will be exposed to residual dirt, soap, and dirty water that contains many germs.
So when rinsing (flush) toilet, toilet water can be splashed up to 2 meters in any direction. In fact, according to Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor and expert in microbiology and environmental science at the University of Arizona College of Public Health, bacteria and viruses (E.coli, S. aureus, and other bacteria) from toilets can stick to all surfaces. bathroom, including between the bristles of the toothbrush and settles for some time.
Well, this is the same if you often keep your toothbrush near the sink. Splashes of sink water that may have been mixed with soap residue or dirty water can easily transfer to the bristles of the toothbrush. Instead of cleaning your teeth, dirt can even cause you to accumulate dirt on your teeth.
2. Separate your toothbrush from other people's toothbrushes
In fact, the oral cavity is home to hundreds of different types of microorganisms, ranging from natural bacteria to bacteria from outside that may harm the health of the body. Every time you brush your teeth, the toothbrush has become an intermediary for transmitting microorganisms to other people.
Therefore, one way to store the correct toothbrush is to separate your toothbrush from other people's toothbrushes, even with your family members. This is because mixing several toothbrushes can make the surfaces of the bristles stick together and cause cross-contamination. This can increase the risk of transferring bacteria from one toothbrush to another.
This danger is the same when you share a toothbrush, aka using the same toothbrush with other people. According to the American Dental Association, the habit of sharing toothbrushes can also lead to cross-contamination, which is the movement of microorganisms that can increase the risk of infection. As a result, disease transmission cannot be avoided.
3. Put the toothbrush in the open
Not a few people are accustomed to putting toothbrushes in a cupboard, closed container or covering the toothbrush bristles with a lid. Usually, this is done to keep the toothbrush bristles from contaminating the bacteria in the toilet.
Apparently, this habit is not very good. The reason is, storing the toothbrush in a closed container or accidentally closing the tip will make the bristles of the toothbrush become damp. Humid environments are the most favorable for bacteria to grow faster. As a result, your toothbrush becomes a nest of bacteria.
In fact, according to Jacki Blatz, a dental hygienist and owner of the Dentique Dental Hygiene Center in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, the habit of keeping a toothbrush in the cupboard can make your pain worse if you have a cold, sore throat, or mouth sores.
Therefore, you should put your toothbrush in a cup or hang it in an open place so that the air circulation runs well.
4. Position the toothbrush face up
Is it true that you save this one tooth? Yes, the toothbrush should be placed face up or in an upright position, that is, the bristles of the toothbrush are on top and the handle of the toothbrush is on the bottom.
This method serves to provide an opportunity for the bristles of the toothbrush to "breathe" and get good air circulation between them. In addition, this is also useful for draining the remaining water between the bristles of the toothbrush so that moisture on the bristles is maintained. So, this can prevent the growth of bacteria on the toothbrush.
5. Routinely replace toothbrushes
Make sure to regularly replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. However, if you find the bristles of your toothbrush before three months, then you are still obliged to replace it with a new toothbrush. A toothbrush that has expanded bristles will no longer be effective in cleaning your oral cavity.
If you have the flu, fever, cough, sore throat, mouth sores, or other mouth problems, replace your toothbrush immediately after recovering. The reason is, when you brush your teeth when you are sick, the viruses will stick to the bristles of the toothbrush and can make the disease recur.
So, don't forget to replace your toothbrush regularly.
