Spotting the Signs of Mold For instance, mold can easily hide between the bristles, inside grooves on the handle and around the base area of electric toothbrushes. The mold may also be visible as black or pink slime, dark spots or simply as yukky black gunk on your toothbrush, its' handle or around the base or holder.
Excess water, spit, and toothpaste can combine together and build up in the excess space between where the replaceable brushing head inserts into the electric toothbrush body. It can also accumulate where the toothbrush sets into the charging base.
Toothbrushes get moldy because they're often in the perfect conditions for mold to develop. Microscopic mold spores live in the air and can attach themselves to your toothbrush from just floating about. Now they just need a few conditions to grow! All mold needs are air, moisture, just enough warmth, and food!
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.
A: Yes, mold on toothbrushes can cause health issues such as asthma, sinusitis, and allergies. The best way to prevent mold from growing on your toothbrush is to keep it clean and dry.
Growing Mold
When you use the toothbrush for too long, you might notice some black spots on the toothbrush which is a sign of mold. Brushing the teeth with such a toothbrush can actually make you very sick. A toothbrush is an essential tool to keeping your mouth as clean as possible.
Can Mold Grow in Your Mouth? Black mold on teeth is not common, however, if black mold enters the mouth it can lead to Candida growth on the tongue, gum tissue, and cheeks. This can result in oral thrush, a fungal infection of the oral cavity.
How Often Should You Replace an Electric Toothbrush? As stated above, you should replace your electric toothbrush every three to five years, depending on your use. However, the brush comes with removable parts, for instance, the electric toothbrush head. Brushes generally last 3-6 months, but some can go longer.
Some studies have found that soaking your toothbrush in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or antibacterial mouthwash can help kill any bacteria that may be on it. To make and use this solution: Mix 1 teaspoon of peroxide in 1 cup of water. Swish the bristles of your toothbrush in the solution or soak for 15 minutes.
Clean Your Toothbrush with Vinegar
Stir the bristled end of your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head in a cup of vinegar for 30 seconds to breakdown and remove food proteins, bacteria and hardened toothpaste.
Mold can also become an issue if your toothbrush cannot dry out completely between uses. Mold can cause a number of symptoms that may mimic the cold or flu, such as sore throat, cough, brain fog, general malaise and a wide myriad of symptoms.
Don't overuse the heads of your electric toothbrush. The ADA recommends you change these heads every three to four months. If bristles on these heads are frayed or matted, you should immediately replace them, even if you've used them for less than three months.
These devices may be impervious to water to some extent, but eventually, water can seep through your device and potentially cause problems. This is why manufacturers do not recommend submerging powered toothbrushes in water for prolonged periods.
Manufacturers advise that electric toothbrushes need to be replaced every three to five years. Most manufacturers offer a guarantee and allow you to return it if you're not happy with the results, but this is dependent on the company.
It's perfectly fine to leave your base plugged in and allow your toothbrush to charge every time you're finished using it. On the flipside, it's also just fine to allow your brush battery to run all the way out before you charge it again.
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 accumulated water and protein laden water drips down and there are enough nutrients in that water to allow bacteria and mold to grow. Occasionally use a little bit of diluted bleach on a paper towel and that will clean it all off.
Because if you've accidentally eaten some truly heinous mold, it can have some pretty serious effects. It's all the fault of those pesky mycotoxins. If you ingest a large amount of them, you might experience symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
It grows on cotton, wood, and paper products. It sometimes produces toxic chemicals that are found in its airborne spores and fungus fragments. These are called mycotoxins and are dangerous if they're eaten. There's no link to inhaled Stachybotrys chartarum mycotoxins and deadly diseases.
It is known to cause brain abscesses in humans but is so rare that only about 120 cases have been confirmed worldwide since its discovery in 1911, with about half of them in India. Many case reports describe how the long and difficult diagnosis process causes poor outcomes (read: death).
A 2017 study published in the journal PLOS One found that electric toothbrushes were more likely than manual to abrade dentin—the tissue directly below the tooth's enamel, which can become exposed when enamel wears away or gums recede. Abrasions to the dentin increase tooth sensitivity and can hike cavity risks.