Tips for Sanitizing Toothbrushes
A few ways to clean away any lingering germs include: Swirling the toothbrush head in an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds. Dunking the bristles into a cup of water that has two teaspoons of baking soda dissolved into it. Soaking the toothbrush in vinegar overnight once a week.
You should never store your brush in a closed or airtight container, as bacteria love moisture and will thrive in this environment. Instead, place the brush in a cup or holder in an upright position to ensure that it dries off thoroughly. Avoid putting it in a drawer or cabinet, as well.
Viruses and bacteria from an infected person's mouth can live for weeks on a toothbrush surface, and continue to cause illness, says Cooper, a clinical associate professor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry.
Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months due to wear and tear, normally. If you've been sick and you're now healthy, no need to disinfect your toothbrush, it's best to just toss it and get a new one.
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.
The results of this study show that the most effective method for disinfecting toothbrushes was submersion in 50% white vinegar, which is cost-effective, easy to access, and appropriate for household use.
Boil the bacteria away.
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.
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.
Store your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide.
Pour the solution into a small container (enough to cover your toothbrush head) and soak your toothbrush in the solution for about 5 minutes. When the time is done, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly.
Bacteria thrive in moist environments and a toothbrush cover provides just that. While it may keep other things out, it also locks everything else in. Your brush needs to thoroughly dry between uses so that new bacteria do not grow and multiply on the surface of it.
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.
If you don't want to use multiple brushes or leave your toothbrush in the open air, you can use hydrogen peroxide overnight to clean the bristles. Simply put a little bit in a small glass and store your toothbrush with the bristles down in the peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is another great way to disinfect your toothbrush and keep it clean until your next use. Simply fill a small glass with 3% hydrogen peroxide and store your toothbrush, bristles down, in the solution. When you are ready to brush your teeth, rinse the toothbrush under hot water before use.
The Journal of the American Dental Association states that baking soda is safe for daily use. It is a good idea to only use baking soda to brush the teeth once per day.
For most people, using hot running water to rinse your toothbrush is usually enough to keep it clean. Wash your toothbrush before and after you use it. Hot water will help soften the bristles and release toothpaste and food particles.
Takeaway. When you're looking to protect your tooth enamel, brushing right after you wake up in the morning is better than brushing your teeth after breakfast. If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, try to wait 30 to 60 minutes before you brush.
First, you should rinse your brush to get it good and clean for brushing. But, more importantly, this will help soften your bristles to prevent them from being too abrasive on your teeth and gums. Then, after tucking a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto its bristle bed, you should quickly wet your bristles again.
Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda in 1 cup of warm water and soak your toothbrush for 15-20 minutes. If you don't want to use baking soda, use salt. Baking soda is a salt and both will achieve the same results.
I used the before and after disinfection counts to determined the % reduction of bacteria for each disinfection method for comparison. Trial #1 showed hydrogen peroxide and mouthwash both eliminated 100% of bacteria, hot water reduced bacteria by 71%, UV toothbrush sanitizer 31%, and salt water 16%.
Make sure to clean any toothbrush covers and containers every 2 weeks to keep harmful bacteria from taking hold. It's not necessary to cover your toothbrush, but if you choose to, be sure to let it air dry beforehand. Covering a wet toothbrush can lead to more bacteria growth on the bristles.
Soak in apple cider vinegar: With antimicrobial properties, this biodegradable disinfectant can help destroy mouth bacteria. Place your toothbrush in a cup of ACV for 30 seconds, rinse thoroughly, then allow to dry before using.
Using Vinegar and Backing Soda
Mix 1/2 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and a 1/2 scoop of baking soda. Place your toothbrush in this for 30 minutes.