Find a good place away from the toilet and as far away from splashing water as you can. You can invest in a wall-mounted toothbrush holder or a holder with a lid (as long as there is enough airflow to dry the toothbrush!) or use the medicine cabinet.
If you want to keep your toothbrush safe from bacteria, do not store it in the bathroom. Rather, it is better to store it in the medicine cabinet, although this should not be your first choice either. You need to let the toothbrush air dry and keep it away from any spot where it can easily trap germs.
The Bathroom Counter Is a Breeding Ground of Bacteria
There are several good reasons why you should not store your toothbrush on a bathroom counter. Not only is it musty and damp, which causes bacterial and viral growths, a bathroom counter is too close to the sink and toilet.
Even more importantly, the ADA recommends storing your toothbrush out in the open (as opposed to placing it in a cabinet), so it can be exposed to air and sunlight so that it dries naturally before it's used again that night or the next morning.
The best solution is to keep your toothbrush in a corner of your bathroom away from the sink & toilet. If you're strapped for space, you can get a wall-mounted toothbrush holder to place high enough to avoid any splashing from the sink.
Your hot, humid shower is the kind of environment that bacteria loves. So storing your toothbrush in there around the clock is a bad idea according to Craig, “Because it gives bacteria plenty of time to accumulate and grow while it's being stored in there.”
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.
Storage to Avoid
After use, make sure to rinse off all the excess toothpaste that has been left. Avoid storing your toothbrush in a plastic ziploc bag, even while traveling. There should be at least some ventilation given, especially if the toothbrush is packed up while it is still damp.
Either way, a cover is usually used as a way of protecting our toothbrush from outside germs and bacteria. We all want a clean toothbrush; after all, it is something that we use in our mouth! It's no secret that toothbrushes can harbor lots of germs, including bacteria and viruses.
Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria so cleaning your toothbrush makes sense if you want to prevent illness. You should be cleaning your toothbrush every week and it is also wise to keep a supply of new toothbrushes on hand so you can readily replace the old one every three months.
Toothbrush Storage On the Bathroom Counter
The bathroom counter is one of the best places to store your toothbrush. It's out of the way of busy areas in your home, like the kitchen, and it's easy to keep clean. Plus, you're less likely to forget to brush your teeth if your toothbrush is in plain sight.
I store toothbrushes and toothpaste in a drawer with a plastic liner that is easily removed to be sanitized as needed. You could also use a drawer divider tray or put a toothbrush holder inside a cabinet to keep the counters clear and toothbrushes clean.
Stow your toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss in a carry-on bag (a pocketbook, briefcase, or backpack will work, too). Whether you're traveling by air, rail, or road, you'll know exactly where these items are and will be able to freshen your breath with ease.
Wetting before softens toothbrush bristles and rinses off debris. Wetting after ensures the toothpaste melts into your toothbrush so it doesn't roll off. Not wetting your toothbrush means there aren't extra steps between applying toothpaste and brushing.
Let it dry completely.
The bacteria that live on a toothbrush after you use it are considered anaerobic — meaning they will die in the presence of oxygen. So, if you let your toothbrush air dry, it will take care of most bacteria.
Use and Replace
In the event of illness such as cold or flu, a toothbrush should be replaced immediately following the illness, even if the brush was new. Germs and viruses can live on the toothbrush head for weeks and holding onto it after illness increases the reintroduction of that bacteria into your mouth.
Maintain airflow
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.
Put used toothbrushes in your black cart as garbage.
The best places to keep your toothbrushes stored are in uncovered cup holders far away from toilets or as dry as possible inside ventilated cabinets or drawers, Martinna says. Electric toothbrushes can dry in their own base, in an upright position.
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. Make sure to rinse your brush under cold water afterwards to bring it back to a safe temperature and wait a few more minutes before using it to avoid burns!
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.
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.