Mix 1 teaspoon of peroxide in 1 cup of water. Swish the bristles of your toothbrush in the solution or soak for 15 minutes. Rinse your toothbrush with water before brushing. If you decide to soak your toothbrush in the solution, change the solution every day.
Boil your toothbrush for about 3 minutes. Although it is hard on your toothbrush, boiling water will most germs. A toothbrush can be put into the silverware compartment of the dishwasher to be sanitized. Run your toothbrush through on the hot cycle without soap.
Whether you're using a manual or electric toothbrush, you need to thoroughly rinse the brush head with tap water after every use. This removes most of the food particles, plaque, and bacteria. To remove even the few germs or debris that might remain after rinsing, disinfect your toothbrush at least once a week.
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.
The results of this study show that the most effective method for disinfecting toothbrushes was submersion in 50% white vinegar, which is cost-effective, easy to access, and appropriate for household use.
Clean Your Toothbrush with Baking Soda
Soak your toothbrush in a cup of water with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Baking soda has antibacterial activity and has been found to kill bacteria that is a major contributor to tooth decay.
You can also disinfect your toothbrush by swishing it in an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds. If you don't have mouthwash, you can use 2 teaspoons of baking soda mixed into 1 cup of water instead. Soaking your toothbrush in white vinegar once a week may also help disinfect it.
Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide for roughly 3-5 minutes. Then rinse out thoroughly with hot water. Same as the peroxide tip above. Soak your toothbrush in mouthwash for roughly 3-5 minutes.
You should never store your brush in a closed or airtight container, as bacteria love moisture and will thrive in this environment. Instead, place the brush in a cup or holder in an upright position to ensure that it dries off thoroughly. Avoid putting it in a drawer or cabinet, as well.
Although boiling water can be a bit harsh on the plastic of your brush, it does a great job killing the bacteria that builds up over time. Boil a small pot of water on the stove and dip the head of your toothbrush in the rolling boil for at least three minutes to kill most germs.
The American Dental Association has not endorsed any toothbrush sanitizing products, and instead, recommends rinsing your toothbrush after brushing and replacing it every four to six months.
Your Toothbrush Can Reinfect You After an Illness
The best reason to replace your toothbrush after a viral illness is because the infection can spread if your toothbrush comes into contact with another family member's brush. It is possible to reinfect yourself with a bacterial illness.
Saltwater can also be used to clean a toothbrush. Make the salt water solution: Mix 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Soak the toothbrush: Soak the toothbrush in the salt water for 15-20 minutes.
One common way to disinfect your toothbrush is through the use of mouthwash, like Listerine. You'll want to soak your toothbrush in the solution for at least 3 to 5 minutes at a time. After the specified amount of time, make sure you rinse your toothbrush thoroughly before use.
I used the before and after disinfection counts to determined the % reduction of bacteria for each disinfection method for comparison. Trial #1 showed hydrogen peroxide and mouthwash both eliminated 100% of bacteria, hot water reduced bacteria by 71%, UV toothbrush sanitizer 31%, and salt water 16%.
Toothbrushes can have germs on them even after rinsing that could raise the risk of infection, especially for people with immune suppression. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with tap water until it is completely clean, let it air-dry, and store it in an upright position.
Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda in 1 cup of warm water and soak your toothbrush for 15-20 minutes. If you don't want to use baking soda, use salt. Baking soda is a salt and both will achieve the same results.
Bacteria and Biofilm
Biofilm is a slimy substance created by bacteria when they become too numerous and want to adhere to your teeth.
Rawdin recommends occasionally brushing your teeth with baking soda for a deeper clean. “You just sprinkle it on your toothbrush with some water and scrub your teeth,” she says. “It does help to give you that squeaky-clean feeling.” Because baking soda is abrasive, you don't want to do this more than once a week.
Household disinfectants — vinegar and baking soda used on their own — were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens but less effective than commercial household disinfectants.
Soak in apple cider vinegar: With antimicrobial properties, this biodegradable disinfectant can help destroy mouth bacteria. Place your toothbrush in a cup of ACV for 30 seconds, rinse thoroughly, then allow to dry before using.
However, vinegar can cause serious damage to the surface of teeth. White vinegar has been shown to have the most damaging effects. Your tooth enamel is the outer protective layer of your teeth, preventing the inner layers of your teeth from extreme temperatures and the damaging effects of plaque and acids.