To prevent cavities or gum disease, brushing your teeth after meals or snacks is important, but you must also keep your toothbrush clean to avoid introducing additional bacteria into your mouth. Fortunately, there are great ways to have a sanitized toothbrush, so make sure to use these tips that are recommended by our dentist.
Tip 1: Rinsing a Toothbrush Before and After Using It
Before brushing your teeth, rinse the toothbrush with hot water to remove any bacteria from its bristles. You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes, making sure to cover each tooth with the toothpaste before rinsing your mouth with water. Before putting your toothbrush into a holder on the bathroom’s countertop, rinse it again to remove any food particles or bacteria. If you believe that your toothbrush is contaminated with pathogens, then you can soak it for several minutes in your mouthwash or in hydrogen peroxide. Rinse the toothbrush to remove the hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash before you begin to brush your teeth.
Tip 2: Drying Your Toothbrush between Uses
Drying your toothbrush between uses can keep it sanitary because bacteria thrive in damp places. Place the toothbrush upright so that the bristles are exposed to the air, making sure that the item isn’t touching another toothbrush. Don’t lay the toothbrush on the countertop or other surfaces where the moisture on the bristles will drip, leading to additional contamination. If you want to keep a toothbrush clean in a crowded home, take it to a different location, such as your bedroom where it isn’t exposed to the pathogens from a flushing toilet or other contamination from coughing and sneezing.
Tip 3: Natural Ways to Disinfect a Toothbrush
You can boil some water in a pan on the stove while dipping the head of the toothbrush in the water for a few seconds, making sure to protect your hands from the heat of the boiling water. Rather than using mouthwash as a soaking agent for your toothbrush, you can place it in apple cider vinegar before adding backing soda. This will create a bubbling chemical reaction that lifts the debris from the bristles of the toothbrush. In addition, make sure to sanitize the cup or the toothbrush holder on a regular basis to remove any bacteria, food particles or other debris.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about how to keep a toothbrush clean, call North View Dental Associates at 801-528-9099 in North Ogden, Utah to schedule a dental appointment at our professional and comfortable office.
