How to Disinfect Your Toothbrush and Keep It Clean
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Use & Handling of Toothbrushes.”
How to Clean Your Toothbrush
You probably brush your teeth every day to keep them clean. You should clean your toothbrush regularly, too. Read on to learn how to disinfect your toothbrush and keep it clean.
Toothbrushes and Bacteria
Your mouth is home to many different types of germs and bacteria. When you brush your teeth and tongue, the bacteria, saliva, toothpaste, food debris, and blood stay on your toothbrush. Studies have found that even after rinsing a toothbrush with water, it can still be contaminated with microorganisms.
Experts say that thousands of different types of microorganisms can grow on toothbrush handles and bristles. Many of these are harmless and are naturally found in your mouth. But some can cause illnesses, like the flu.
Scientists say that there’s no evidence that using a toothbrush with normal bacteria on it will lead to oral infections or other health problems. But it’s a good idea to keep your toothbrush clean just in case.
How to Disinfect a Toothbrush
If you’re looking for the best way to disinfect a toothbrush, you have several options. But first, you should note that experts don’t recommend putting your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave because the heat may damage it.
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UV sanitizer. A study found that an ultraviolet toothbrush sanitizer is more effective than saline and antiseptic mouthwash (chlorhexidine gluconate) for toothbrush disinfection. Other experts say that using a UV sanitizer is not necessary and may damage your toothbrush.
Disinfecting solutions. Some studies have found that soaking your toothbrush in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or antibacterial mouthwash can help kill any bacteria that may be on it.
To make and use this solution:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of peroxide in 1 cup of water
- Swish the bristles of your toothbrush in the solution or soak for 15 minutes
- Rinse your toothbrush with water before brushing
- If you decide to soak your toothbrush in the solution, change the solution every day
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.
Some experts warn that soaking toothbrushes in mouthwash or disinfecting solutions may spread germs under the right conditions.
Denture cleaners. Denture cleaning solutions can be used to disinfect your toothbrush. Denture cleaners have enzymes and detergents that help break down food proteins. The citric acid and sodium bicarbonate in denture cleaners can also help loosen food stuck between toothbrush bristles. Rinse your toothbrush well after using a dental cleanser.
How to Keep a Toothbrush Clean
Rinse with hot water. 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. Rub your thumb over the bristles under the hot water, and rinse it again with cold water to make the bristles firm up.
Air dry. A moist environment promotes the growth of bacteria or mold. Studies have found that toothbrushes kept in closed containers, travel cases, and toothbrush covers have more bacteria than those left to air dry.
After you’ve finished brushing, rinse your toothbrush and shake off the excess water. Run a finger or thumb across the bristles to help remove the water. If you choose to cover your toothbrush with a holder or container, air dry your toothbrush first in an upright position.
You may want to have two toothbrushes. This lets you use one while the other air dries.
How to Clean an Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush head can be cleaned in the same way as a regular toothbrush. Remove the toothbrush head from the base before cleaning it. Like with manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads should be replaced every 3 months or whenever the bristles are fading or worn.
Toothbrush Tips
Keep toothbrushes away from the toilet. Every time you flush the toilet, fine droplets of toilet water are propelled into the air. These droplets can remain in the air for up to 2 hours. They then settle onto different surfaces, which can include your toothbrush. Try to flush the toilet with the lid closed and store your toothbrushes as far from your toilet as possible.
Keep the area clean. Regularly clean your toothbrush holder and cover with soap and water. Use disposable wipes to wipe down wall-mounted toothbrush holders, cups, and stands. Regularly wipe down your bathroom countertop and sink. This will remove any saliva droplets and excess toothpaste.
Don’t share a toothbrush. You might regularly share utensils and food with your family members, but you shouldn’t share a toothbrush. Experts say this is because brushing may sometimes cause gums to bleed. This means that sharing a toothbrush could expose you to diseases spread through contact with blood.
Every member of your household should have a different-colored toothbrush that’s easily identifiable. This will keep you from accidentally using someone else’s.
Socially distance your toothbrushes. If you share a bathroom with others in your household, don’t put your toothbrushes together in a common toothbrush holder or drawer. It’s best to keep toothbrushes several inches apart.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands before you brush your teeth to help to lower your risk of contamination. You should also wash your hands after you brush your teeth. This will help reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses after touching your mouth and lips.
How Long to Keep a Toothbrush
Sometimes, it might be better to replace your toothbrush rather than clean it. In general, you should change your toothbrush about every 3 months. When the bristles are worn, your toothbrush may not clean your teeth as well.
Check your toothbrush for buildup, frayed bristles, or discoloration. If you see any of these, it’s probably time to throw it out. You should also replace your toothbrush after you’ve been sick. This will help to prevent reinfection or passing the infection on to a member of your household.
Viruses, like the flu, can survive on moist surfaces. When you’re sick, don’t share a toothbrush holder with anyone else. Viruses can spread through physical contact, such as when your toothbrush touches another.
Show Sources
American Dental Association: “Toothbrushes.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Use & Handling of Toothbrushes.”
Cleveland Clinic: “4 Tips for a Clean Toothbrush,” “Should You Throw Away Your Toothbrush After Being Sick?”
Contemporary Clinical Dentistry: “Efficacy of various disinfectants on microbially contaminated toothbrushes due to brushing.”
Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy: “Evaluating sanitization of toothbrushes using ultra violet rays and 0.2% chlorhexidine solution: A comparative clinical study.”
The Maryland Children’s Oral Health Institute: “A Clean Toothbrush May Help Protect You From The Flu.”
Oral Health: “Toothbrush Contamination: A Review of the Literature.”
Oral Health Foundation: “When sharing isn’t caring: Why sharing your toothbrush is a very bad idea.”
The University of Alabama at Birmingham: “Clean before you clean — what’s on your toothbrush just might surprise you.”
The University of Mississippi Medical Center: “For much cleaner teeth, electric toothbrushes can’t be beat.”
How to Disinfect Your Toothbrush and Keep It Clean
You probably use your toothbrush every day to scrub plaque and bacteria off the surface of your teeth and tongue.
While your mouth is left much cleaner after a thorough brushing, your toothbrush now carries the germs and residue from your mouth.
Your toothbrush is also probably stored in the bathroom, where bacteria can linger in the air.
This article will cover ways you can disinfect your toothbrush to make sure it’s clean and safe to use every time.
There are several methods of disinfecting your toothbrush between uses. Some are more effective than others.
Run hot water over it before and after each use
The most basic go-to method of sanitizing your toothbrush is to run hot water over the bristles before and after each use.
This gets rid of bacteria that may have collected on the toothbrush in the hours between brushings. It also eliminates new bacteria which may have accumulated after each use.
For most people, clean, hot water is enough to sanitize a toothbrush between uses.
Before applying toothpaste, run hot water gently over the head of your toothbrush. The water should be hot enough to produce steam.
After you’ve brushed your teeth and mouth thoroughly, rinse your brush with more hot water.
Soak it in antibacterial mouthwash
If a hot water rinse isn’t enough to give you peace of mind, you can soak your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash.
Keep in mind that doing this may wear out your toothbrush faster, as these mouthwashes usually contain harsh ingredients that make bristles break down.
This method involves letting your toothbrush sit, head down, in a small cup of mouthwash for about 2 minutes after each brushing.
Should you be boiling toothbrushes?
You don’t need to boil your toothbrush to get it clean enough to use, and the plastic handle of most toothbrushes might start to melt in boiling water.
If you still want to use boiling water, heat water in a tea kettle or in a pot on your stove. Once it boils, turn the heat off and dip your toothbrush in for 30 seconds or so.
Denture cleanser
In addition to hot water and mouthwash, you can use denture cleansing solution to disinfect your toothbrush.
Denture cleanser is made up of antimicrobial ingredients that target bacteria and plaque that grow in your mouth.
Don’t reuse denture cleanser you’ve already used on your dentures.
Dissolve half a cleansing tablet in a cup of water and dip your toothbrush in it for 90 seconds to get your brush extra clean.
UV toothbrush sanitizer
You can also invest in an ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizer product made specially for toothbrushes.
One s tudy comparing UV light chambers made for toothbrushes with saline solution and chlorhexidine gluconate solution found that UV light was the most effective way to disinfect toothbrushes.
This equipment can be on the expensive side, and it’s not necessary to have one for safe brushing. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for whatever UV sanitizer you purchase.
Note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t say that you need to use a UV chamber to clean your toothbrush.
For the most part, you can sanitize an electric toothbrush head the same way that you disinfect a regular toothbrush.
Make sure to disconnect the toothbrush head from the electric base before putting anything but toothpaste and warm water on your toothbrush.
If your electric toothbrush is the kind that doesn’t detach from the base, just use warm water or a quick mouthwash soak, and store it in a clean, dry place.
Once your toothbrush has been disinfected, you can take steps to keep it clean.
Storing your toothbrush correctly is probably as important as cleaning it after use.
Store it in hydrogen peroxide solution that’s changed daily
A 2011 study showed that keeping your toothbrush in a small cup of hydrogen peroxide is an economical way to keep bacterial growth to a minimum.
Swap out the hydrogen peroxide each day before putting your toothbrush down, bristles first, into the cup.
Avoid storing toothbrushes side by side
Throwing multiple toothbrushes together into a cup can cause bacterial cross-contamination among the bristles.
If there are multiple people in your household, keep each toothbrush a couple of inches apart from the others.
Keep it as far away from the toilet as possible
When you flush the toilet, fecal matter rises into the air in what’s known as the “toilet plume” effect.
This plume spreads harmful bacteria all over the surfaces in your bathroom, including your toothbrush.
You can prevent these bacteria from contaminating your toothbrush by storing it in a medicine cabinet with the door closed. Or, you may simply keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible.
Clean toothbrush covers and holder
Bacteria from your toothbrush can get on any toothbrush covers and storage containers you may use to hold your toothbrush.
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.
Use a toothpaste dispenser
When you apply toothpaste to your toothbrush, there’s always a chance that your toothbrush and the toothpaste tube will make contact and transfer bacteria.
You can use a toothpaste pump dispenser to reduce this risk of cross contamination.
Sometimes the best way to make sure you’re using a clean toothbrush is to simply replace it.
As a general rule, you should replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 to 4 months.
You should also throw away your toothbrush in each of the following circumstances:
- The bristles are worn out. If the bristles appear bent or frayed, your toothbrush can’t clean your teeth as effectively.
- Someone in your household is sick. If you or anyone in your household has had a contagious disease, such as strep throat or the flu, continuing to use your toothbrush can spread infection .
- You’ve shared your toothbrush. If someone else has used your toothbrush, there’s no way you can completely disinfect it. Everyone’s mouth flora is unique, and you shouldn’t be scrubbing your mouth with bacteria from someone else.
Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria from your mouth. These bacteria can multiply if your toothbrush isn’t properly disinfected. Without proper disinfection, you’re trying to clean your mouth with a dirty toothbrush.
Cleaning your toothbrush with hot water between uses is probably enough for most people to feel that their toothbrush is sufficiently disinfected.
If you want to take the process a step further, simple soaking methods with mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or denture cleanser will get your toothbrush sanitized.
Proper toothbrush care and storage are essential to your oral health, as is replacing your toothbrush regularly.
Last medically reviewed on June 25, 2020
How we reviewed this article:
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