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Your toothbrush: A haven for bacteria
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Maintain a healthy smile and avoid illness by making sure your toothbrush is clean.
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By Kimberley Schmahl
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If you're getting sick repeatedly and illness travels throughout your home in a seemingly endless trail, the culprit of your poor health may be the most innocent-looking item in your house: your toothbrush.
Each time we brush our teeth we are inserting germs which have been flourishing on our toothbrush. These bugs are often the major cause of recurring infections, colds and gingivitis. "Food and water becomes the source for bacteria to feed upon," says Dr. Richard T. Glass, D.D.S., PhD., professor emeritus of oral pathology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Glass, a top research authority on toothbrush hygiene, has studied the relationship between illness and toothbrushes for the past 15 years.
Smart storage
"Everyone is quite fastidious when it comes to washing their hands or their clothes," says Glass, "but when it comes to their toothbrushes, most people keep it in the most unclean room in the house." Dr. Glass says it's not a good idea to keep toothbrushes in the bathroom. "Every time the toilet is flushed, millions of germs are propelled into the air, many of which settle on your toothbrushes." He also advises against storing in a medicine cabinet, because bacteria prefer darkness to propagate and nixes the idea of storing your toothbrush in a plastic case where moulds will flourish.
Regular replacement
Although the Canadian Dental Association advocates changing our toothbrushes every three months, many people hang on to their toothbrushes for six months or longer. Dr. Glass' research recommends that, ideally, you should toss your toothbrush every two weeks. He would like us to start thinking of our toothbrush less as a life-long friend and more as a temporary houseguest.
Better brushing
A brand-new toothbrush comes fresh out of the package with rounded bristles, but in as little as two weeks, they become sharp daggers which create minute cuts in our gums. "We transmit this bacteria into our bloodstream via overzealous brushing," says Glass. "The harder we brush, the more likely we will get these germs." Dr. Glass is also opposed to motorized toothbrushes as he has found that they cause the most damage to gums.
Here's how to stay healthy while maintaining that perfect smile:
1. Ensure that everyone in your family has their own colour-coded toothbrush to avoid cross-contamination. Don't share or borrow a toothbrush.
2. Use a soft-bristled brush, advises Dr. Glass. This will be the easiest on your gums.
3. Change your toothbrush every two weeks or four weeks at the most. Toss out your toothbrush after any illness and if you drop it on the floor.
4. Use a small-headed, less densely-bristled toothbrush. Buy a translucent or light-coloured handle preferably, as it's been found to harbour fewer germs than opaque-hued -- possibly because bacteria thrive in dark spaces.
5. Don't store your toothbrush in the bathroom. The bedroom is usually the cleanest room in the house.
6. Always use a new toothbrush when travelling. From hotel rooms to suitcases, toothbrushes are in contact with many surfaces and are prone to more germs.
7. You can buy ultraviolet-light sterilizers designed specifically for toothbrush sterilization. They are a bit pricey and may not be necessary for a healthy person.
8. It is better to buy cheap toothbrushes and not feel guilty throwing them out, than to buy an expensive one that you'll keep and possibly compromise your health with.
9. Remember to rinse your brush with water after each use and shake it gently until it's dry.
For more ways to prevent getting sick, check out Hand-washing 101
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