Your toothbrush does a lot to keep your teeth healthy and strong, but you may not realize what a huge difference the way you store it can make. Many people stash their toothbrushes in their medicine cabinets or allow them to lay flat on their countertops, but these are not sanitary ways to put your oral hygiene appliance away. Here’s a quick overview of how your toothbrush should be stored to keep it clean and in working order.
What’s Wrong with Storing My Toothbrush in the Cabinet?
While you may think that keeping your toothbrush in a sheltered place away from open air might protect it from germ exposure, it actually has the opposite effect. Bacteria love a damp, dark place because it allows them to multiply more rapidly, and that is exactly the environment you give them when you store your brush in the cabinet. Protecting your toothbrush from airflow also prevents it from drying out properly, which helps those nasty bacteria breed more rapidly. Leaving a cap over your toothbrush for prolonged period can have the same effect.
How Should I Store My Toothbrush?
Toothbrush holders are the best way to store toothbrushes because they hold them upright. When you lay your toothbrush flat on a surface, you make it harder for it to dry out because you are allowing the water to pool around it. By keeping your brush upright, a holder will maximize how much of its surface area is exposed to the air, allowing it to dry out quickly before bacteria have a chance to multiply. It’s best to store one in the open air on your bathroom counter, but you’ll want to position it as far away as you can from the sink and the toilet to avoid germ exposure.
How Should I Keep My Toothbrush Holder Clean?
While it’s important to keep your toothbrush clean, it’s hard to do that if your toothbrush holder is dirty. At least once a week, wash it with dish soap and water or run it through the dishwasher. This will eliminate buildup developing on it while maintaining its pleasant appearance.
A toothbrush holder is an inexpensive investment that can do wonders for your oral health. They also come in a wide variety of colors and styles, so it’s certain that you’ll find one that matches your décor.
About the Author
Dr. Sung-Hee Lee earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Baylor College of Dentistry and has completed many advanced training courses on subjects like orthodontics and dental implants. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. Her office in Dallas, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on practicing proper oral hygiene, contact her office online or dial (972) 481-8800.