The American Dental Association recommends replacing toothbrushes every three months. It's around this time that bristles begin to break down and become less effective at cleaning your teeth. Germs are another factor. While we might not like to think about it, germs build up on our toothbrushes over time.
Getting Your Toothbrush Ready to Be Reused
Before you can reuse your toothbrush, you need to clean it thoroughly, and the best way to do this is to boil it in water for a few minutes or pop it in the dishwasher the next time you run a cycle. Now your brush is ready for use once again.
If you do find that you've accidentally used another person's toothbrush, don't panic! Wash your mouth out with mouthwash (or water if mouthwash isn't available) to help get rid of any bacteria you might have picked up.
First, your toothbrush can be used to clean various parts of your house. In the bathroom it can be used to clean between tiles and around the faucet in those had to reach nooks and crannies. In the kitchen your brush can help clean small appliances such as smoothie makers and sandwich presses.
However, you can simply check with your local electronic recycling center or search for any drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries instead. Government or private recycling programs are ultimately the best way to ensure that your electric toothbrush will be fully recycled.
Tooth brushing is most common method of maintaining oral hygiene. In removing plaque and other soft debris from the teeth, tooth brushes become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva and oral debris. These contaminated tooth brushes can be a source of infection.
Colgate and Oral-B both say that you should replace your toothbrush after an illness like the flu or a cold because of the risk of germs hiding in bristles leading to reinfection.
"It's probably about 50/50," says Samantha Byrne, lecturer in oral biology at the University of Melbourne. Australian Dental Association Queensland president Adrian Frick agrees, saying it's quite common for people to share toothbrushes. "I often hear references to that effect between spouses and between children."
Dentists strictly warn against sharing toothbrushes even amongst the family members.
Can a toothbrush really be used for DNA testing? The answer is Yes. Our in-house geneticists have undertaken viability studies to prove that used toothbrushes can be a good source of DNA.
“The average person should be swapping out for a new toothbrush every three to four months,” explains Dr. Sienna Palmer, DDS, dentist at Meridien Dental in Santa Monica, CA. “This is recommended to ensure that the bristles are still effective and bacteria accumulation on the toothbrush is minimal.”
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.
Toothbrush manufacturers and dentists recommend that you replace your toothbrush every three to four months. You should stick to those guidelines if you brush for two minutes, twice a day, as dental professionals recommend.
The bathroom is one of the most germ-infested rooms in any house, but leaving a toothbrush in a damp shower makes your brush (and mouth) a target for unwanted microbes. Given enough of the wrong types of bacteria, an extra germy toothbrush could even lead to diarrhea or skin infection.
Keep your toothbrush holder away from the toilet and sink. Did you know that flushing the toilet can create an aerosol effect, spraying germs through the air? 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.
Using someone else's toothbrush accidentally (just ones) should not be a big problem. However, just to be sure that you don't get the bacteria, you should rinse your mouth with a good mouthwash at least twice (with a gap of 2 hours).
Dr Atkins says: “Although it may seem like a kind gesture to share your toothbrush, it really is not a very good idea. Sharing a toothbrush leaves you susceptible to all sorts of oral and general health problems.
But if you do borrow your partner's toothbrush from time to time, your'e not alone: In a survey of more than 1,100 Match.com members, the online dating platform found that 22 percent of the participants admitted to doing it—and 76 percent of 'em never even told their partners about the bristly encounter.
It is true that the bacteria or virus particles that make you ill like your toothbrush. It's a petri dish for them really… wet, warm and incubating. These germs can even live on your toothbrush for up to a few days.
You won't make yourself sick again if you use the same toothbrush after you've recovered. If you share your toothbrush with someone else, however, you could definitely make them sick.
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.
A recent study by the University of Manchester showed that toothbrushes can accumulate more than 10 million bacteria, which is more than the bacteria found in a toilet seat (50 per square inch) or in a public lavatory floor (2 million per square inch).
Wash the toothbrush with the dish detergent and hot water, then rinse with clean water.
Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, electric toothbrush heads. Oral care products can be recycled via Terracycle.