What is the best way to disinfect a toothbrush?

The most basic go-to method of sanitizing your toothbrush is to run hot water over the bristles before and after each use. This gets rid of bacteria that may have collected on the toothbrush in the hours between brushings. It also eliminates new bacteria which may have accumulated after each use.

How do you clean toothbrush after dropping in toilet?

Make sure you rinse your brush thoroughly after each use. And occasionally soak it in mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide, especially if you’ve dropped it on the floor. “I occasionally put mine through the dishwasher,” said a spokesman for the American Dental Association. Always close the toilet lid before you flush.

How do you disinfect a toothbrush head?

Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda in 1 cup of water and soak your toothbrush in the solution if you don’t have mouthwash. toothbrush in a 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (H202) solution that is changed daily. Use enough solution to cover the bristles. This can keep your toothbrush disinfected.

How do you clean a toothbrush that fell in the sink?

Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide for roughly 3-5 minutes. Then rinse out thoroughly with hot water. Same as the peroxide tip above. Soak your toothbrush in mouthwash for roughly 3-5 minutes.

Can you sanitize your toothbrush?

1. Use your mouthwash on your bristles. The same rinse you use to keep your mouth extra clean can be used to disinfect your brush after using it! Allow the head of your toothbrush to soak in small cup of antibacterial mouthwash or rubbing alcohol for a few minutes before or after brushing.

Is it safe to soak toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide?

Disinfect your toothbrush Antiseptic mouthwash contains various active ingredients, such as alcohol, menthol, and eucalyptol, which can all kill bacteria. According to this 2011 study, soaking your toothbrush in either a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or antiseptic mouthwash killed 100% of germs.

Can you get sick from toothbrush in toilet?

When you flush your toilet, some bacteria will be sent into the air and can land on your toothbrush. Just keep your toothbrush and rinsing cups as far away as possible from the toilet. Also, you can close the toilet lid before flushing.

What if my toothbrush falls in the toilet?

“As you flush the toilet it, you expose your toothbrush to germs from the fecal matter.” MythBusters found toothbrushes sitting outside a bathroom can be speckled with fecal matter, too. In fact, toothbrushes right out of the box can harbor bacteria because they aren’t sold in sterile packaging.

How dirty is toilet water?

On average, a toilet bowl contains 3.2 million bacteria per square inch*. It is in addition to the bacteria found on the other parts that you have come into contact with. The flush handle that’s covered in as much as 83 bacteria per sq. in and the toilet seat that’s surrounded with over 295 bacteria per sq.

How do I disinfect my toothbrush after being sick?

However, after you are sick, my general recommendation is to replace your toothbrush. It’s an easy fix to make sure lingering bacteria doesn’t lead to reinfection or get passed on to family members. This makes a lot more sense than trying to clean your toothbrush by boiling it or by using hydrogen peroxide or vinegar.

How do I protect my toothbrush from bacteria?

Toothbrush Storage Tips Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water every time you use it. Let your toothbrush dry thoroughly between brushings. Don’t use toothbrush covers, which can create a moist enclosed breeding ground for bacteria. Keep your toothbrush upright in a holder, rather than lying it down.

How long can bacteria live on a toothbrush?

Even if the virus were still hanging out on your toothbrush after you recovered—colds and flus can survive there in an infective state for anywhere from a few hours to three days —those antibodies should keep you from contracting the same illness twice.

How often should you replace toothbrush?

“The average person should be swapping out for a new toothbrush every three to four months,” explains Dr. Sienna Palmer, DDS, dentist at Meridien Dental in Santa Monica, CA. “This is recommended to ensure that the bristles are still effective and bacteria accumulation on the toothbrush is minimal.”

Are new toothbrushes sterile?

Toothbrushes don’t have to be sold in sterile packaging, so they may have bacteria right out of the box, says the American Dental Association’s official statement on toothbrush care.

What happens if you accidentally use someone else’s toothbrush?

If you do find that you’ve accidentally used another person’s toothbrush, don’t panic! Wash your mouth out with mouthwash (or water if mouthwash isn’t available) to help get rid of any bacteria you might have picked up.