Brushing your teeth daily is a way to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Brushing involves scrubbing plaque and bacteria from your teeth and tongue. Most people pay attention to the teeth and mouth and disregard the item responsible for keeping them clean; the toothbrush.
The toothbrush, after use, carries the germs that were initially in your mouth. This makes rinsing your toothbrush with water ineffective because water does not have the potential to remove bacteria. They even thrive in moist places.
Your¹ toothbrushes get exposed to bacteria by leaving them open in the bathroom. There are always bacteria lingering in the air of the bathroom, hence the need to take caution.
Scientists have proved that several microorganisms can grow and live on your toothbrushes and most of them are harmless and found naturally in the mouth.
When you brush, there are high chances of blood, toothpaste, saliva, food debris, and even bacteria staying on your toothbrush. Since water alone will not do the trick of getting them out, this article tells you how to disinfect your toothbrush.
How To Disinfect Your Toothbrush
Knowing that you need to disinfect your toothbrush and knowing how to disinfect toothbrush are two different things. If you’re looking for the best ways to disinfect a toothbrush, let’s take this ride together because there are many options, and there is the best option.
First, you should know that putting your toothbrush in a microwave or dishwasher is not recommended to disinfect a toothbrush because the heat generated from there can damage the toothbrush.
Since we have ruled out this option, which may have been your next line of action, let’s see the better ways to disinfect your toothbrush.
● Run Hot Water On It
This is the most common answer to the question, “how to disinfect toothbrush”? Hot water over your toothbrush before and after brushing is a great way to disinfect it. Hot water has been a great sanitizing and disinfecting method since the early years and maintains its relevance.
This does not mean soaking the whole brush with its handles in hot water; all you need to disinfect with this method is your bristles. Pouring hot water over the brush handle may cause it to melt.
This method helps rid the toothbrush of bacteria that may have been collected when it was not in use and those accumulated after use. The water used must be hot enough to do the work.
● Soak in Antibacterial Mouthwash
If using hot water is a bit plain for you, another means you can try out is soaking your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash.
With the tag of mouthwash as antibacterial, you are more convinced that it was produced to deal with this exact issue: bacteria. You should know, however, that soaking your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash will cause it to wear out easily due to the harsh ingredients it contains.
You can disinfect the toothbrush with antibacterial mouthwash by letting it sit in a small cup containing the mouthwash heads down for about 2 minutes. It is best to do this after every brushing session.
● Denture Cleanser
Another great method you can adopt when looking for how to disinfect a toothbrush is the use of a denture cleanser. This is a cleansing solution that disinfects your toothbrush, and it’s made up of antimicrobial ingredients that focus on the plaque and bacteria that grow in the mouth.
Use a Denture Cleanser by dissolving a tablet in a cup of water and dipping your toothbrush in the solution for about 90 seconds. This leaves your brush disinfected and clean.
You should never reuse denture cleanser solutions! Use a solution once and dispose of it.
● UV Toothbrush Sanitizer
If the² homemade methods don’t work for you, you could try a technological product made especially for disinfecting and sanitizing toothbrushes.
Investing in Ultraviolet (UV) light toothbrush sanitizer is quite expensive, but it sure is an effective way to disinfect toothbrushes.
● Hypochlorous Acid
This may seem new, but it is the best non-toxic sanitizer you can get today. Otherwise known as³ HOCl, it is a weak acid similar to one obtained from a mild citrus juice.
It is the most effective in invading viruses, fungi, and bacteria. It is generated when you run electricity through a solution of saltwater. It has been around as far back as 1970 and is now adopted by those in food safety, water treatment, Healthcare, and general sanitation.
Using HOCl to disinfect your toothbrush is your best option because it is 100% safe and does not irritate your skin when it comes in contact. Even when accidentally ingested, it does you no harm. Research says it is over 70 times⁴ more effective in killing microbial than your regular chlorine bleach.
If using the solutions and methods described above are not comfortable for you, you can try using HOCl. The best part is that it can be used anywhere, even in the kitchen.
Get HOCl today and start disinfecting your toothbrush with peace of mind.
Tips To Keep Your Toothbrush Clean
You can keep disinfecting your toothbrush to keep it safe for use, but how about ensuring that they are kept constantly clean?
Let’s see some easy tips to help keep your toothbrush clean and free from bacteria.
- Do Not Store Brushes Side By Side: Keeping several brushes together in a cup or container aid cross contamination of bacteria from the bristles. It is best to keep brushes a few inches apart from each other.
- Keep Brushes Away From The Toilet: Most people keep their brushes in the toilet, and this exposes them to bacteria. Toilet plumes get into the air when you flush the toilet, spreading harmful bacteria everywhere. Keep your toothbrushes in places far away from your toilet.
- Regularly Clean Toothbrush Covers And Holder: Bacteria are not restricted to the bristles of your brush alone; they can get on the covers and holders. Clean your toothbrush cover and holders at least once in two weeks.
- Use Toothpaste Dispenser: There is always contact between your toothbrush and your toothpaste tube when applied; this can lead to the transfer of bacteria. Getting a toothpaste dispenser can save you from this bacterial contamination.
- Air Dry: Covering a wet brush can help grow more bacteria; studies have shown that covered brushes house more bacteria than those left open. After brushing, leave your toothbrush to dry in an upright position before covering it. We would recommend you own about two brushes so you use them simultaneously.
Get a proper disinfectant for your toothbrush; contact us today.
3 https://www.hypochlorousacid.com/
4. https://www.ecoloxtech.com/
