Clean before you clean
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| Do NOT share your toothbrush with a horse... |
Do
you know Staphylococci, coliforms, pseudomonads, yeasts, intestinal bacteria
and -- yes -- even fecal germs may be on your toothbrush?
Appropriate
toothbrush storage and care are important to achieving personal oral hygiene
and optimally effective plaque removal, says Maria L. Geisinger, DDS, assistant
professor of periodontology in the School of Dentistry at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham.
"The
oral cavity is home to hundreds of different types of microorganisms, which can
be transferred to a toothbrush during use," Geisinger said.
"Furthermore, most toothbrushes are stored in bathrooms, which exposes
them to gastrointestinal microorganisms that may be transferred via a
fecal-oral route.
What
constitutes proper care and handling? Geisinger answers several questions that
may help better protect families from toothbrush germs.
Q. Can bacteria from your toilet really reach your toothbrush?
A. "The short
answer is 'yes.' Enteric bacteria, which mostly occur in the intestines, can
transfer to toothbrushes and thus into your mouth. This may occur through
inadequate hand-washing or due to microscopic droplets released from the toilet
during flushing. The topic of dirty toothbrushes was a recent subject of the
popular Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters," when 24 toothbrushes were
tested, and all of them demonstrated enteric microorganisms -- even those that
had not been inside of a bathroom. In fact, toothbrushes may be contaminated
with bacteria right out of the box, as they are not required to be packaged in
a sterile manner."
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| ...or a parrot... |
Q. What is the proper way to clean your toothbrush to help
remove germs?
A. "You should
thoroughly rinse toothbrushes with potable tap water after brushing to remove
any remaining toothpaste and debris. Additionally, soaking toothbrushes in an
antibacterial mouth rinse has been shown to decrease the level of bacteria that
grow on toothbrushes."
Q. How should you to store your toothbrush to avoid germ and
bacteria buildup?
A. "The
American Dental Association recommends that you not store your toothbrush in a
closed container or routinely cover your toothbrush, as a damp environment is
more conducive to the growth of microorganisms. Also, storing toothbrushes in
an upright position and allowing them to air dry until the next use is
recommended, if possible. If more than one brush is stored in an area, keeping
the toothbrushes separate can aid in preventing cross-contamination."
Q. What is the proper toothbrush protocol when you are sick?
A. "Any
illness that can be transmitted through body fluids should warrant separation
of the toothbrush of the infected individual and, if economically feasible,
replacement of the toothbrush after the illness."
Q. How often should your toothbrush be replaced?
A. "Toothbrushes
should be replaced at least every three to four months or when bristles become
frayed and worn, whichever comes first."
There
are four other steps Geisinger recommends be followed to help achieve a higher
quality of oral health and avoid or limit some of the causes of bacteria
toothbrush buildup.
Use antimicrobial mouth rinse prior to brushing. This can decrease the bacterial load in
your mouth considerably and may reduce the number of microorganisms that end up
on the toothbrush after brushing.
Engage in routine dental care. Routine dental care, including regular dental cleanings,
can reduce the overall bacterial load in your mouth, and the types of bacteria
present, and can therefore reduce bacteria on your toothbrush. It is especially
important for those with gum disease, as the oral bacteria present in their
mouths can enter the bloodstream as they perform everyday activities, including
eating, chewing gum and toothbrushing.
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| ...or a turtle. |
Wash your hands. Hand-washing after using the restroom and prior to using
your toothbrush can reduce the likelihood of fecal-oral contamination.
Do not share toothbrushes. This seems like a no-brainer, but a large
proportion of spouses admit to sharing toothbrushes. That means bacteria on
those toothbrushes are being shared, including the ones that cause dental decay
and periodontal disease -- the two major dental diseases in adults.
Story Source:
The
above story is based on materials provided by University
of Alabama at Birmingham. The original article was written by Tyler Greer. Note:
Materials may be edited for content and length.
Cite This Page:
·
MLA
·
APA
·
Chicago
University of Alabama at Birmingham. "Clean before you
clean: What's on your toothbrush just might surprise you." Science Daily, 6 May 2014.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140506094439.htm>.
