When it comes to storing your oral care products, the bathroom may seem like the obvious choice – but experts suggest reconsidering where you place your toothbrush.
Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, an oral health educator from Austin, Texas, explained the concerning reason why she advises against keeping your toothbrush near a toilet, especially in a small bathroom.
“The bacteria from the toilet can land on your toothbrush,” she cautioned. “And your toothbrush collects all the bacteria from your mouth with each use.”
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“You could actually take a brand-new toothbrush, cut off the end, and send it to a lab to get a full profile of the bacteria in your mouth,” Phillips added.
“You will share the bacteria of people who you live in close community with,” the expert warned. (iStock)
In a toothbrush with dense bristles, bacteria can “go down and multiply” and then “become anaerobic,” which means it could become a more aggressive form, according to Phillips.
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“Toilet bacteria, or the air from bathrooms, can interact with this and create a worse scenario,” she said. “So, you will share the bacteria of people who you live in close community with.”
Bacteria in the bathroom air can interact with your toothbrush, according to the dental expert. (iStock)
This exposure to bacteria can aid in the development of dental diseases that could take a “long time to form,” Phillips cautioned.
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If keeping your toothbrush away from the toilet is not an option, Phillips recommends brushing your teeth in the kitchen sink instead.
The best way to clean a toothbrush is to allow it to dry fully, which will kill bacteria, the expert advised.
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She also recommends using a toothbrush that isn’t too soft, with “lots of bristles at different lengths” that can dry itself and clean the mouth effectively.
The expert recommended using a medium-bristled toothbrush with “lots of bristles at different lengths.” (iStock)
“You don’t need $350 worth of a toothbrush, but many toothbrushes are not effective. They’re too soft. They get infected easily, and you need to dry them,” she said.
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“Look after yourself,” Phillips went on. “If your mouth is healthy with healthy bacteria and a healthy biofilm, it’s almost like a bulletproof internal skin over your teeth, gums and mouth that rejects intruder bacteria.”
