Do You Know How to Clean Your Toothbrush?

Too many people think toothbrushes are self-cleaning tools. The logic seems straightforward: if a toothbrush regularly comes into contact with toothpaste and water, it should be clean, right? Unfortunately, this assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.

Why Running Your Toothbrush Under Water Is Not Always Enough

Toothpaste and water do help remove food particles and debris from your teeth, but they are not potent enough to remove any few lingering germs on your toothbrush. As discussed in our FAQs About Replacing Toothbrushes, bristles can retain bacteria, viruses, and fungi, all of which can thrive in the moist environment of your bathroom. This microbial buildup may lead to dental health issues, such as halitosis (bad breath) and infections from ineffective brushing. Moreover, storing your toothbrush in an enclosed space, or letting it touch other surfaces, can exacerbate the problem by creating a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.

Understanding that your toothbrush isn’t self-cleaning is the first step toward better oral hygiene. In the following sections, we will explore how to disinfect your toothbrush to ensure it remains a safe and effective tool for good oral hygiene.

Different Ways to Clean a Toothbrush

There are many ways to disinfect your toothbrush between uses, some of which you can combine for optimal results:

1. Hot Water Rinse

Rinsing your toothbrush with hot water before and after each use is a quick, simple, yet effective method of sanitizing it. It helps remove bacteria that may have accumulated on the toothbrush between brushings, as well as any new bacteria introduced during use.

Run your toothbrush under clean, hot water before applying toothpaste. Ensure the water is hot enough to generate steam. After brushing, rinse it again with hot water to soften the bristles and release toothpaste, food debris, and any other particles. As a final step, you can rinse it with cold water to firm up the bristles.

2. Mouthwash Soak or Baking Soda Swish

If a hot water rinse doesn’t reassure you, consider soaking your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash for about three minutes at a time. Alternatively, you can combine two teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of water. Swish your toothbrush in the solution for about 30 seconds.

These methods help eliminate any lingering bacteria, giving you greater peace of mind about the cleanliness of your toothbrush. However, they might shorten the lifespan of your toothbrush, as the harsh ingredients in mouthwash and baking soda can cause the bristles to deteriorate more quickly.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide Soak

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant. According to a study published in Contemporary Clinical Dentistry, it can eliminate pathogenic microorganisms on toothbrushes.

To use this method, pour one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide into a small cup and submerge your toothbrush in the solution for 15 minutes. After soaking, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with lukewarm water before applying toothpaste. Follow up with the above (hot water rinse and mouthwash soak) to disinfect your toothbrush after each use. Make sure to change the solution every day.

While the benefits of hydrogen peroxide include decontaminating and removing microorganisms to maintain a cleaner toothbrush, prolonged exposure weakens the bristles faster. Some experts also warn that soaking toothbrushes in disinfecting solutions may spread microbes under the right conditions.

4. UV Sanitization

UV sanitizers are modern devices designed to disinfect toothbrushes using ultraviolet (UB) light. Research shows that UV light chambers are more effective at sterilizing toothbrushes compared to saline and chlorhexidine gluconate solutions.

To use a UV sanitizer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use. Ultraviolet light is an FDA-regulated industry, and even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) as a defense against certain viruses and bacteria, albeit not specifically for disinfecting toothbrushes.

5. Vinegar Soak

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant. Once a week, soak your toothbrush in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm or hot water before storing it upright. This method is perfect if you prefer an easy, low-maintenance, once-a-week option for keeping your toothbrush extra clean.

Vinegar’s benefits include having natural and non-toxic properties, which makes it a safe choice for anyone looking for environmentally friendly options. It’s also effective against many types of bacteria, although it may leave a strong smell that some people find unpleasant.

6. Use a Denture Cleanser

Denture cleansing solutions have enzymes and detergents that help break down food proteins. Its sodium bicarbonate and citric acid content can also loosen food residue between toothbrush bristles.

To disinfect your toothbrush, dissolve half of a cleansing tablet in a glass of water and dip your brush in for 90 seconds. Rinse and repeat once a week.

Other Ways to Keep Your Toothbrush Clean

Aside from the above, here are additional toothbrush care and maintenance tips:

1. Keep Your Toothbrush Away from Other Toothbrushes

Storing toothbrushes side by side is a recipe for cross-contamination, especially in households with multiple occupants. When toothbrushes come into contact with other surfaces, harmful microorganisms can transfer and multiply. Installing a holder with individual slots can separate everyone’s toothbrushes and reduce the risk of spreading germs.

2. Keep Your Toothbrush as Far Away from the Toilet as Possible

Every time you flush the toilet, it releases a fine mist of aerosolized particles, which can settle on nearby surfaces, including your toothbrush. This nasty phenomenon, known as toilet plume, can deposit contaminants like urine and fecal matter onto your toothbrush. To reduce this risk, keep your toothbrush in a cabinet or on a shelf as far from the toilet as possible. Also, close the toilet lid before flushing to further minimize the spread of toilet plume particles.

3. Use a Toothpaste Dispenser

A toothpaste dispenser minimizes contact between the bristles and the toothpaste tube, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

4. Clean Your Toothbrush Covers and Holder

If you use a toothbrush cover or holder, remember to clean them every two weeks. Toothbrush covers can trap moisture and establish a breeding ground for bacteria. Ensure they have proper ventilation holes so your toothbrush bristles dry completely. Similarly, toothbrush holders can accumulate toothpaste residue and bacteria. Use disinfecting wipes or a solution of vinegar and water to prevent any unwanted buildup of germs.

5. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly

One of the simplest ways to maintain a clean toothbrush is to get a new one every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles look frayed. Read our FAQs About Replacing Your Toothbrush for a complete guide on this topic.

A Word of Advice

Going the extra mile to sanitize your toothbrush is part of maintaining a healthy smile. However, the above tips and tricks shouldn’t replace proper oral care, such as regular dental appointments and teeth cleanings with your local dentist. If you’re looking for an experienced family dentist in Chandler, AZ, Dr. Shervin Rahimi offers the services your smile needs. Schedule a visit today.