Wondering how to keep your toothbrush sanitary? Here are 5 easy ways to keep your toothbrush clean.

Since most of us store our toothbrushes in a bathroom (usually near a toilet), asking how you should keep your toothbrush clean is a good question.

The truth is you can’t. Our mouths and bathrooms are full of bacteria. And that’s OK! Our immune systems are able to cope with a normal amount of bacteria.

Now I apologize in advance, but here’s what they have to say on the American Dental Association website:

“Toothbrushes have been shown to harbor bacteria (including fecal coliform bacteria that can be released into the air when the toilet is flushed or can be spread to the toothbrush when the owner touches a contaminated surface before handling his or her brush). While toothbrushes have been shown to harbor bacteria, there is no evidence that these bacteria cause adverse health effects.”

I don’t know about you, but I nearly threw up when I read that (more apologies). But it sounds worse than it really is. Read on...

They do suggest that you can sanitize your toothbrush, but that it’s not necessary. If it makes you feel better after reading the last paragraph, then soak it in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes and let it dry.

Believe it or not, the best way to clean your toothbrush is pretty simple. Here are 5 tips to help you make sure your toothbrush is clean.

1. Don’t share your toothbrush.

I'm not too proud to admit that I’ve shared a toothbrush on occasion. Recently I was exhausted and used my wife’s toothbrush by mistake. I laughed. She did not.

The tip here is that you should never share a toothbrush with someone else. If you do you could be sharing more than the toothbrush. You can share bodily fluids and microorganisms. And if one of you is sick… Ok, you get the point.

2. Rinse your toothbrush well after every use.

This one’s a no brainer. Rinse your toothbrush under cold water and remove any ‘debris’. You don’t need to do anything crazy, just a really good rinse and make sure no little nasties are left over.

3. Store your toothbrush in the open.

I thought that storing my toothbrush in a container or drawer would help keep the germies away. But apparently I was wrong. 

The best way to store your toothbrush after use is out in the open so it can dry completely. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria, so by keeping it in the open (and even in sunlight) will help it dry faster. 

It’s recommended that you keep your toothbrush upright, so a stand or toothbrush holder can help with that.

Another bonus tip here is to not let your toothbrush bristles touch someone else's. For more on this, see point 1, above. : )

4. Never put your toothbrush in a microwave or dishwasher.

This seems pretty extreme to me, but I guess people do it. Don’t. 

The heat from either of these will likely damage your toothbrush, which can then damage your teeth and gums.

5. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

This is a biggie. I speak to a lot of people about toothbrushes (I swear my life is not as boring as it sounds), and almost everyone admits that they either forget to replace their toothbrush on time, or even worse, wait until they get a freebie from their dentist.

What? This is your oral health, which has been proven to be connected to your overall health. BUY. A. NEW. TOOTHBRUSH. Once the bristles start to look bent or frayed, you're already damaging your tooth enamel and maybe even your gums.

If you’re too busy or forget, then I’m with you. This is one of the reasons why I started Grin toothbrush and we send customers replacement reminders every 3 months. We all have enough on our plate.

Trying to remember when you last replaced your toothbrush seems like a pretty pointless exercise to me. If you want to simplify your life, check out our Nada subscription toothbrush options. 

Thanks for reading and keep your toothbrush right side up!

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