Health : knowing your toothbrush better

Are you practicing good oral hygiene? See how to store and keep your toothbrush clean from the millions of bacteria that can cause disease and infection.

Do you know what’s lurking on your toothbrush?

Your toothbrush is home to more than 100 million bacteria including E. coli and staphylococci (Staph) bacteria, according to researchers at the University of Manchester in England. And the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that fecal germs were on your toothbrushes too. All that sounds gross, but you needn’t panic. Your mouth is also full of bacteria and your toothbrush probably won’t make you sick, but there are ways to keep it clean so you stay healthy.

How brushing your teeth hurts

Brushing your teeth, particularly with an electric toothbrush, can actually push germs under your gums, says R. Thomas Glass, DDS, PhD, professor of dentistry and pathology at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. Most of these germs already exist in your mouth so you probably won’t get sick from them. However, if others use your toothbrush (or you use someone else’s) germs can be spread. The thing to worry about is recurring illness. “When your resistance is low, that’s when this becomes clinically important,” he says. “In essence, you are re-infecting yourself,” says Glass.

Could your toothbrush be making you sick?

You probably won’t get an infection from your own toothbrush. Even if your brush is covered in bacteria, your immune system can usually take care of any bacterial invaders. However, you should still care for your toothbrush properly and keep it clean: 

Toothbrush holders

Toothbrush holders as well can pick up bacteria that are spread by toilet flushing. A study by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) found that toothbrush holders are the third-most germy household items (behind dish sponges and kitchen sinks). Remember to clean your toothbrush holder regularly to remove germs.

Toothbrush storage tips

After you’ve moved your toothbrush as far from the toilet as possible, and cleaned your toothbrush holder, here are some storage tips to keep your toothbrush as germ-free as possible:

• Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water every time you use it.
• Let your toothbrush dry thoroughly between brushings. Don’t use toothbrush covers, which can create a moist enclosed breeding ground for bacteria.
• Keep your toothbrush upright in a holder, rather than lying it down.
• Don’t ever use anyone else’s toothbrush, or let someone use yours.
• Keep toothbrushes separate. If toothbrushes touch they can swap germs.