Take care of your toothbrush

Over the past few years, several companies have introduced products to disinfect your toothbrush. Some clean your toothbrush using ultraviolet light, others through hot water or antiseptics. But before you splash out on one or more of these gadgets, consider the following:

In brushing your teeth, your toothbrush becomes contaminated with bacteria, saliva, blood and other debris. Rinsing your toothbrush with tap water after brushing will help rid the toothbrush of most of these things, but even after a toothbrush is washed until it is visibly clean, it may still hold micro-organisms.

The question is whether these leftover germs on your toothbrush cause illness or oral infections in your mouth. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the answer is a resounding "No". In January 2002, the CDC released a fact sheet for consumers in which it found no published research suggesting that toothbrush use can result in adverse health effects.

Top Tips for Toothbrush Care

The CDC provided these tips to consumers on toothbrush care:

• Do not share toothbrushes. The exchange of body fluids that such sharing would foster places toothbrush sharers at an increased risk for infections in the mouth, a particular important consideration for persons with compromised immune systems or infectious diseases.
• After brushing, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water to ensure the removal of toothpaste and debris, allow it to air-dry, and store it in an upright position. If multiple toothbrushes are stored in the same holder, do not allow them to touch each other.
• It is not necessary to soak toothbrushes in disinfecting solutions or mouthwash. This practice may actually lead to cross-contamination of toothbrushes if the same disinfecting solution is used over a period of time or by multiple users.
• It is also unnecessary to use dishwashers, microwaves or ultraviolet devices to disinfect toothbrushes. These measures may damage the toothbrush.
• Do not routinely cover toothbrushes, or store them in closed containers. Such conditions (a humid environment) are more conducive to bacterial growth than the open air.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles appear worn or splayed. This recommendation is based on the expected wear of the toothbrush and its subsequent loss of mechanical effectiveness, not on its bacterial contamination.

For more information on oral hygiene, or taking care of your mouth, please refer to the links page for further resources.