Make sure to keep the case clean too as a warm wet environment is a dream for bacteria. Our advice is firstly, keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as you can. Try to keep it behind closed doors such as in a bathroom cabinet.
Shutting the toilet lid can help, but keeping toothbrushes as far away from the toilet as possible can reduce the amount of bacteria that may land on them. Keeping toothbrushes away from the sink can also keep them more sanitary. When you use the sink to wash, water, soap, and bacteria can splash on your toothbrushes.
Where to Store Your Toothbrush. Probably the best place to store your toothbrush is on a shelf in your bedroom, or, if you store it in the bathroom, in a far corner, safely away from the toilet and the sink. You might also store it in a large closet where it is cool and dry.
Store toothbrush upright, not lying down, either inside of a cabinet or underneath the sink in a closed cabinet. Be sure that air can fully circulate around the brush head so that it can completely air dry, you don't want the bristles to retain any moisture.
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.
Because the moist shower environment lends itself to bacteria growth, the American Dental Association warns against leaving your toothbrush in the shower when you're finished.
Toothbrush Fact 2: Dentists recommend that you should keep your toothbrush at least two metres away from the toilet to avoid the spread of airborne bacteria during flushing.
Allow the head of your toothbrush to soak in small cup of antibacterial mouthwash or rubbing alcohol for a few minutes before or after brushing. Not only will your toothbrush be squeaky clean, it'll smell minty fresh too! Just remember to rinse it before your next use.
Airborne Particles From Toilet Flushing Can Actually Make Their Way to Your Toothbrush Bristles! Your toothbrush can harbor up to 10 million bacteria of various strains.
Improper storage and care of your toothbrush could make it a harbor for germs, including staph, intestinal bacteria and more. Do you know Staphylococci, coliforms, pseudomonads, yeasts, intestinal bacteria and — yes — even fecal germs may be on your toothbrush?
Of all the surfaces, the door handle was the least infected before cleaning, with just 0.9% of its surface showing bacteria, while the most infected was the shower tray, with a troubling 72% of its surface covered in pathogens.
An NSF investigation found that toothbrush holders were the dirtiest item in the bathroom. About 27 per cent of toothbrush holders showed signs of coliform, compared to 5 per cent of toilet seats. Clean it: Rinse an empty toothbrush holder in hot water, then scrub with a soapy, small-bristled brush.
Studies have shown that of all the surface areas in the bathroom, the floor is by far the dirtiest. That's because when we flush the toilet germs spread everywhere, and land on—you guessed it—the floor.
A 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution is a great choice if you want to kill all of the yeast, fungi, bacteria, viruses and mold spores living on your toothbrush.
Contrary to what some experts may tell you, storing your toothbrush in a plastic case or plastic bag is not a good idea. Germs thrive in a moist environment, so keeping your toothbrush sealed in an enclosed space only makes your toothbrush the perfect place for bacteria to multiply.
UV sanitizing kills bacteria; viruses can survive on toothbrushes for 24 hours; toothbrush design, color, opacity, and bristle arrangement are a major factor in retaining microorganisms.
The airborne particles from flushing your toilet can travel up to 6 feet, so do not brush within 6 feet of a toilet. Instead try moving your toothbrush to the opposite side of the bathroom to minimize the risk to your toothbrush and your mouth!
Put the toilet brush under the toilet seat. The toilet seat will hold the brush in place to allow it to dry.
“Sharing a toothbrush is probably about the same as kissing,” says Ryder, when asked about the risks of swapping infections. “The difference with a kiss is that you're transmitting saliva, too, so the bacteria may be able to survive a little better in that saliva.”
Brushing immediately after consuming something acidic can damage the enamel layer of the tooth. Waiting about 30 minutes before brushing allows tooth enamel to remineralize and build itself back up.
Dermatologists and dentists agree—brushing your teeth should always come before washing your face. "Toothpaste residue can irritate the skin," says Richard Lipari, DDS, cosmetic and general dentist in Chappaqua, New York.
The dirtiest thing in the bathroom is the bath mat, pro cleaner Bailey Carson told Insider. Dirty shower water and flushing toilets can make mold, mildew, and bacteria grow over time. If you're only cleaning your mat a few times a year, it may be time to get scrubbing.
Public bathrooms may be teeming with bacteria, but the toilet seat is probably safe for sitting. But the toilet seat is actually the cleanest part of the bathroom, one expert says.
The study finds showerheads and sink taps are the cleanest items in the typical bathroom.
Busting a very popular myth, the study found that the kitchen, not the bathroom, was the dirtiest room in the house. A whopping 75% of dish sponges and rags were contaminated with the coliform bacteria, which is an indicator of possible fecal matter.