When we brush our teeth it’s to clean them, right?  Our mouths have germs – there’s no surprise there – we all knew that already.  But, if your toothbrush goes in your mouth, then it’s going to get germs on it too, right.  Well, yes, of course. Have you ever stopped to think about how clean your toothbrush is? How long have you had your current one? Chances are that you’ve had it for a while, and it’s covered in microscopic grossness – that you’d be disgusted to know you’ve been putting in your mouth.

Toothbrushes harbor bad bacteria which can re-infect your mouth and body. It’s estimated that there are an average of 1.2 million microscopic organisms living on the surface. By reusing a dirty toothbrush or sharing one with someone else, you can be putting yourself at risk for developing:

• The flu virus, strep throat, and other contagious diseases.
• Oral herpes (cold sores around the mouth) which can live on a toothbrush for up to a week.
• A staph infection which causes unsightly boils, styes, and infection of the skin.
• Escherichia Coli (E. coli) bacteria, which is dreadful. It causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It’s found in fecal matter. If your toothbrush is near a toilet, it can become infected. When you flush, poop contaminated water droplets float about in the air, and can land on your toothbrush.
• Accidental ingestion of harmful chemicals from aerosols or spray bottles. For instance, certain cleaning solutions, perfume, or hair styling products.
• Candida albicans (yeast) in the mouth (thrush), which is very contagious.
• Bloodborne Diseases like Hepatitis, HIV, and Malaria. Gingivitis and gum disease, which cause bleeding on the gum tissue. Contaminated blood can live on your toothbrush and if shared, can enter someone else’s bloodstream.

How to Prevent Germs from Taking Over Your Toothbrush

Now that we’ve scared you with all the possibilities you’re surely wondering – “Well, what am I supposed to do?” Do you toss your toothbrush away after each use? That seems wasteful and expensive.  So…no. Should you clean it somehow? Now that sounds reasonable. But please don’t put your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave. There’s a better solution. After you brush your teeth you can place it in an FDA approved toothbrush sanitizer to kill the germs.

Do Toothbrush Sanitizers Work?

Yes, they do.  But, you will need to be careful when selecting one to purchase.  All toothbrush sanitizers are not created equal.  All of the products available on dentalstores.com are vetted to be reliable and effective.  We even offer an electric toothbrush sanitizer!

Different technologies are used for sanitizing a toothbrush.  For example, the drThung’s Snap-On Toothbrush Sanitizer works by emitting all-natural, anti-bacterial vapors to kill germs and sanitize your toothbrush. Some of the ingredients found in its formula include lemon oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and thyme oil. They even offer a cute one specially designed for kids.

The Oral SteriClean Portable UV Toothbrush Sanitizer is a sanitizer that you can travel with. It uses advanced UV technology to eliminate germs and bacteria. The light turns on automatically when the toothbrush is placed inside the sanitizer and shuts off after the allotted time.

The Pro Tech Dynamic Duo Toothbrush Sanitizing Kit consists of a patented Invirobrush holder and ball that protects your toothbrush from germs and harmful bathroom chemicals. You also get four packets of the Pristine extra strength toothbrush sanitizer which is used to create a solution that effectively kills germs. The kit even comes with its own toothbrush.

If you’re looking for the cream of the crop then you may want to consider the Sonicare FlexCare Platinum PRO Toothbrush + UV Sanitizer. This is the electric toothbrush/UV sanitizer of the future! It’s Bluetooth compatible and even comes with its own app that guides and coaches you through your oral care routine. This toothbrush/sanitizer combo will even alert you when it’s time to replace the toothbrush head.

When Should You Replace Your Sanitizer and Toothbrush?

As a rule of thumb, your toothbrush should be replaced every 3 months (because of the microscopic damage that happens as the bristles start to wear out.) But cleaning your brush should happen even more frequently!

Different sanitizers hold their power for a varied length of time. For instance, drThung’s Snap-On Toothbrush Sanitizer offers 60 days of protection and is available in a pack of two.

Pristine toothbrush sanitizing solution found in the Pro Tech Dynamic Duo Toothbrush Sanitizing Kit, should be replaced every seven days.

So you’ll want to ensure that you always have a working sanitizer handy. For most of our products, you can sign up for an automatic subscription delivered right to your door to save 5% on the cost. Start protecting your health today by investing in a toothbrush sanitizer for your home.