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Posted on 10/20/2015 by Robert Leale |
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You may have heard that germs often live on your toothbrush, and like many people, you may be wondering if this is something that you should worry about. The mouth is home to more bacteria than any other part of your body, so it is quite common that some of them will get onto your toothbrush when you brush your teeth. While this is a standard occurrence, there are some situations in which your toothbrush could be used to spread germs and illnesses, and it could actually be making you sick. What Could Be Lingering on Your ToothbrushWe use our toothbrushes every day to clean our teeth, and while we assume they are clean, a wealth of bacteria, viruses, and other germs could be hiding out there. In fact, researchers have determined that millions of bacteria live on a single toothbrush. While many of these bacteria are harmless, especially considering the fact that our mouths are full of bacteria on their own, others could compromise your oral health.
How to Stay Healthy While BrushingThe CDC has outlined some simple tips regarding toothbrush care that can help you to stay healthy while minimizing the spread of disease. While many of these precautions may be common sense, they are worth reviewing:
Sterilizing Your ToothbrushDespite the fact that studies have found that a variety of microorganisms grow on toothbrushes after use, there is no evidence that soaking your toothbrush in an antibacterial mouth rinse will have any effect on your health. Likewise, using toothbrush sanitizer has also not been shown to benefit your oral health in any way. While these products won't harm you and do remove germs, they aren't entirely necessary to prevent the spread of germs, and easier methods can be used to limit the spread of bacteria from toothbrushes.Please contact us if you have any questions bout your oral health! |
LocationNorthview Family Dental 1121 E. Westview Ct. Spokane, WA 99218-1319 HoursM, W, TH: 7am-6pm T, F: 7am-4pm |