How clean is your toothbrush? Maybe you need to think about that for just a moment. You put your toothbrush in your mouth every day, so shouldn’t you make sure that it is clean? Here are few simple steps to making sure your toothbrush is sanitary and safe to use.

It’s nice to share, but not when it comes to toothbrushes. Sharing toothbrushes will allow the cross contamination of bacteria from one mouth to the other, and contributes to the spread of an illness. Since most of us brush our teeth in the bathroom, keep the toilet lid down, and store your toothbrush at least four feet from the toilet to keep airborne bacteria from affecting your toothbrush. It is also a good idea to wash your hands before brushing your teeth.

When you are done brushing, you should clean the bristles by rinsing under the faucet until they are free of toothpaste and food particles. You don’t have to boil or microwave your toothbrush, or run it through the dishwasher. In fact, by doing so, you may only succeed in damaging the bristles. If you want to soak your toothbrush in mouthwash or an antibacterial rinse, do so for no longer than 15 minutes. After you clean your toothbrush, store it upright and in an area where the air can reach it. And remember, you should replace your toothbrush every three months, and sooner if the bristles are showing signs of wear.

If you live in the Grand Junction, Colorado, area and would like to schedule an appointment to see our dentist, Dr. Bob Johnson at Horizon Dental Care, call 970-245-3633 today to plan your visit.