You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, and ideally after every meal. This is the easiest way to keep up with your oral health. But what about keeping up with your toothbrush? Colgate claims "Got a cold? Change your toothbrush", and we've all heard that flushing the toilet with the lid open can spray various kinds of bacteria, such as E. Coli, all over your toothbrush. So, can you really get sick from your toothbrush? And how often should you replace it?
The bristles in your toothbrush can house germs and bacteria. Keeping a toothbrush protector over your toothbrush, or storing it in a cabinet, can actually increase bacterial growth. You should always keep your toothbrush out in the open to allow it to dry completely after every use. There are plenty of cleaners available to use to keep your brush clean, these are a good idea but not always necessary. The ADA recommends that you wash your toothbrush occasionally in the top rack of the dishwasher. You can also dip your toothbrush in a small cup of alcohol-containing mouthwash (like Listerine) for about 30 seconds to kill off any germs or bacteria that could make you sick. Toothbrush cups or holders that hold many people's brushes are a terrible idea- this is how germs get spread from one toothbrush to another and ultimately from one person to another. A dirty toothbrush can infect someone with bacterial diseases, such as strep throat, or even blood-borne diseases, such as Hepatitis B or C. So yes, you can get sick from a toothbrush so keep your toothbrush away from others and never share! You should also throw away your toothbrush after a bacterial illness, such a strep throat, but not necessarily from the common cold since colds are viral and you can't re-catch a cold from your toothbrush.
Storing your toothbrush close enough to the toilet so that the spray from the flush will hit it isn't as dangerous as you may think. While this is definitely a disgusting thought, the presence of some fecal coliforms won't necessarily make you sick since the bacteria that comes out of you is often what is already living in your mouth. However, the spray from toilet water can spread noroviruses which cause gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships. To be on the safe side, it's still a good idea to close the toilet lid prior to flushing to avoid the transfer of any kind of bacteria.
The ADA also recommends that you should dispose of your toothbrush (or toothbrush head if you use an electric one) and get a new one every 3-4 months. This is because the bristles wear out over time and lose their effectiveness, if you notice the bristles bending then get a new one. For the environmentally conscious, Preserve is a company that will send you a toothbrush made out of recycled material and a mail-back pack so you can return the toothbrush back to the company to be recycled when you're finished with it. They also offer a toothbrush subscription- they send you a new toothbrush every 3 months and take back your old one.
A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen
2030 West Main St.
Norristown, PA 19403
610.631.3400
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