Table of contents:
- Toothbrush is also important to clean
- How to clean a toothbrush
- 1. Wash under running water
- 2. Soak with mouthwash
- 3. Keep in a clean place
- What if the toothbrush isn't cleaned?
Maintaining oral health is by brushing your teeth regularly and cleaning the toothbrush itself. However, not everyone pays attention to toothbrush hygiene. In fact, the brush touches the surface of the tooth which is coated with bacteria every day.
To be clearer, try the following explanation about how to clean a toothbrush.
Toothbrush is also important to clean
Maybe we don't realize, when brushing our teeth every day there are microbes that stick to it. At any time, these microbes can move into the mouth.
According to Sharon Cooper, PhD, clinical associate professor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, said that viruses and bacteria can stay on the surface of a toothbrush for several weeks and can cause disease.
Microorganisms that are on the surface of the toothbrush can enter the body when you brush your teeth. Microorganisms can get into injured gum tissue or canker sores.
However, do bacteria only settle on toothbrushes that are owned by sick people? Not really. According to research from Evidence-Based Dentistry, either the toothbrush of a healthy person or a sick person can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.
These bacteria come from dental plaque, environmental factors, or a combination of other factors. However, further studies are still needed to discuss the role of environmental factors on tooth contamination.
Therefore, you can optimize oral hygiene by cleaning your toothbrush properly.
How to clean a toothbrush
Cleaning a toothbrush can minimize the development of potentially infectious bacteria. Here's how to clean your teeth that you can do at home.
1. Wash under running water
The way to clean a toothbrush is to wash it with running water. This method can get rid of small debris that remains on the toothbrush. When cleaning, gently scrub the brush with your fingers. At least, this trick can minimize bacteria.
2. Soak with mouthwash
The next way to clean a toothbrush is to soak it with mouthwash. However, if you have a systemic disease or immune system disorder, Cooper recommends soaking your toothbrush with antibacterial mouthwash.
Research from American Journal of Dentistrysuggest, soaking a toothbrush with mouthwash for 20 minutes can effectively eradicate the mutant Stretococcus bacteria.
3. Keep in a clean place
After cleaning the toothbrush in the way above, you should not store the toothbrush in the bathroom or in the cabinet.
Storing in a damp place can cause mildew on the toothbrush. Therefore, place it in an open area, so that the toothbrush can dry completely and avoid microbial growth.
You also need to remember that toothbrushes should not change hands to other people. Sharing toothbrushes can lead to the transfer of bacteria and disease.
What if the toothbrush isn't cleaned?
How to clean a toothbrush by soaking it in mouthwash is recommended based on the research that has been mentioned, so that you avoid the threat of bacterial infection. On the other hand, other sources say that not cleaning a toothbrush does not have a serious health impact.
According to research from the An Epidemiological Survey of Toothbrush Contamination in Communal Bathrooms at Quinnipac University, toothbrushes can be an intermediary for the transmission of potentially pathogenic or parasitic organisms. Researchers showed that 60% of toothbrushes were contaminated with coliform bacteria from feces.
The study also said there were other studies that showed at least 54.85% of toothbrushes were exposed to fecal bacteria. But there is an 80% chance that the bacteria came from other people using the bathroom.
However, the study did not find that bacteria adhering to toothbrushes had any effect on health effects. The researchers suggest that toothbrushes should be stored in a cleaner place and in their private places.
However, there's nothing wrong with applying a way to clean your toothbrush regularly. Preventive steps can be taken to reduce the risk of infection. In order to maintain dental hygiene, don't forget to replace your toothbrush once every three months.
