Remember to Clean Your Toothbrush

Most of us know the basic steps involved in good oral hygiene, including thoroughly brushing and flossing at least twice a day, having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year or more, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups. But there’s another important step to remember – the proper care and storage of your toothbrush.

It may not be particularly pleasant to think about, but there are literally hundreds and hundreds of microorganisms that live in your mouth. That means that a lot of those are transferred to your toothbrush each time you brush your teeth. Even worse, since toothbrushes are stored in bathrooms, they’re exposed to gastrointestinal microorganisms as well. All of which is ample reason to take the following steps in making sure your toothbrush is cleaned and stored properly:

• • Thoroughly rinse your toothbrush after each use, making sure that all toothpaste and food particles are removed.
• • Soak your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce bacteria.
• • Store your toothbrush upright. Avoid using a closed container since this encourages the growth of microorganisms.
• • Make sure that all toothbrushes in a bathroom are stored separately to avoid cross-contamination.
• • Replace toothbrushes whenever they begin to show wear, or every three to four months.

You might also consider rinsing your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash before brushing your teeth. This will eliminate some of the microorganisms in your mouth before you begin brushing, which will also reduce the amount of bacteria transferred to your toothbrush.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140506094439.htm