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Most people rarely think about what happens to their toothbrush after they finish brushing, assuming a quick rinse is enough. But how you store it may have a bigger impact on your health than you realise. In a recent video, dentist Dr Miles Madison warned against some surprisingly common habits. He said, “The way you’re storing your toothbrush could be damaging your health. If you rinse your toothbrush after brushing, tap it dry and let it air dry, that’s good.”
He pointed out that many people unknowingly create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. As he explained, “If you brush your teeth, rinse your toothbrush and then put it in a drawer or in a cabinet, that’s bad. And if you brush your teeth and put a toothbrush cover on your toothbrush and let it dry like that, that’s a ‘hell no.’ You see, your toothbrush has a lot of bacteria that you just removed from your teeth (sic).”
To prevent this, he emphasised the importance of proper drying. His advice was clear: “So the proper way of storing it is you want to rinse off your toothpaste and whatever’s left, tap it dry and then let it air dry. This way, the moisture will dry off your toothbrush, and it won’t cause an overgrowth of bacteria on your toothbrush.”
But he also cautioned against enclosed storage, explaining, “Now if you put your toothbrush in a drawer or in a cabinet and worse yet cover it with something, it becomes like an incubator for bacteria. So the next time you use it, you’re using all of that dirty mould, bacteria and yucky stuff that’s growing on your toothbrush back in your mouth.”
But what types of microorganisms commonly grow on improperly stored toothbrushes?
Dr Niyati Arora, BDS, MDS, a prosthodontist at Krown Hub Dental, tells indianexpress.com, “The species that can commonly grow on them are oral bacteria like Staphylococcus and Lactobacillus species. Skin bacteria such as staphylococci, Pseudomonas species, Klebsiella, and E. coli are common. Also, fungi like Candida species grow very fast in such an environment.”
Since most of the oral bacteria are already present in the mouth, Dr Arora says, contaminated brushes can basically reseed the area and increase their number multifold, thus increasing the chances of initiating and progressing tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontitis, which affect the gum health, making them further inflamed and oral thrush or candidiasis.
“Chances of opportunistic infections such as pneumonia, sepsis or wound infections can increase if organisms like Pseudomonas, Klebsiella gain access to the bloodstream or lungs.
Enterobacteria, which are found in abundance on brushes kept or stored near toilets, can cause stomach infections like diarrhoea and are also responsible for UTI,” says the expert.
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Living in humid environments or shared bathrooms? Steps to ensure your toothbrush dries properly and stays hygienic
It’s always better to keep the brush in an open place with good air circulation. “The air circulation in the bathroom can be improved by keeping the exhaust on for some time or opening a window,” notes Dr Arora.
She suggests keeping the brush as far from the toilet and sink as possible. In a shared bathroom, Dr Arora says, try to ensure the heads of the brushes don’t touch each other to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from one brush to the other.
“You can disinfect the brush head by dipping it in an anti-microbial mouthwash for a few seconds. In case you are travelling, always try to pack the brush once it’s scorched. Replace the toothbrush every 3-4 months or if you notice that the bristles are frayed, discoloured, or worn, as worn bristles retain more moisture and microbes,” concludes the expert.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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