Best Ways to Disinfect Toothbrush, Toothbrush Sanitizers and Sterilizers
November 27th, 2009
You may know we need to change our toothbrush every 2-3 months. But everyday toothbrush expose to be dirtying of bad bacteria living in your bathroom. Keeping toothbrush clean is essential for effective teeth cleaning and perfect smile. Toothbrush sanitizers and sterilizers may help disinfect your toothbrush.
A single toothbrush can harbor millions of microorganisms, which translate into harmful bacteria — bacteria that thrive in the warm, moist environment of the average bathroom. Toothbrush sanitizers stop these microorganisms dead in their track. Independent studies prove that toothbrush sterilizers may eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria that thrive on your toothbrush. That’s millions of microscopic bugs that can cause flu, colds and other illnesses, zapped in minutes!
While there are many who question the need for toothbrush sanitizers, a close examination of what is really on the end of the average toothbrush sends shivers down the spine. Some toothbrushes which are stored behind bathroom have more than 10,000,000 bacteria living on a single toothbrush. Repeated use of such toothbrushes can cause a person to “reinfect” himself, brushing the germs right back into the mouth and then into the bloodstream and causing many health problems.
There are different types of toothbrush sanitizers like UV sanitizers or tablets. There are methods and devices for sanitizing toothbrushes to accommodate every price range—from drop tablets to self-cleaning toothbrushes to heavy duty machinery.
Numerous studies have shown ultraviolet (UV) light to be effective in killing germs on toothbrushes, including bacteria, yeasts and viruses. Buy a toothbrush UV (ultraviolet). It is designed to kill germs and bacteria that could lead to other diseases. Before and after brushing, place the head of the toothbrush in the hole designated UV toothbrush. Press the Start button and allow 6 to 8 minutes for the system to clean and disinfect your toothbrush.
Other method is using drop tablets several times a week, as recommended by the manufacturer, or more often. These are sold in packages of approximately 36 and kill up to 99% of the germs on the head of the toothbrush. One tablet dropped into warm water produces disinfecting bubbles which sanitize the toothbrush as it soaks for approximately ten minutes. After soaking, the toothbrush is rinsed off and ready to use.
Toothbrush Sanitizers and Sterilizers Difference
First, it is important to note that the word sanitizer refers to a device that kills most of the microorganisms. A sterilizer kills all the microorganisms. Sanitizers work by exposing the toothbrush to UV light, which kills most microorganisms while the heat dries the toothbrush. Typically, there is a cover over the toothbrush, protecting it from exposure to airborne microorganisms.
The most expensive toothbrush sanitizers cost $100 or more and use steam sterilization. These sanitizers are durable, waterproof and high quality, but it is doubtful whether they actually kill more germs than the medium range ultraviolet light sanitizers.
How to Clean Your Toothbrush Without Sanitizer
There are many other methods to disinfect your toothbrush not using commercial sanitizers or sterilizers:
- Soak your toothbrush in an antiseptic mouthwash
- Freeze your toothbrush
- Rinse and air dry your toothbrush, making sure it avoids other brushes
- Boil or put your toothbrush in the dishwasher (this can wear out bristles faster)
- Microwave your toothbrush on high for 10 seconds
Of course, no toothbrush sanitizer can improve a badly worn toothbrush that needs to be replaced. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you still replace your toothbrush every three months or after an illness, and keep your toothbrush upright and away from other bathroom items.
You might also like these related dental health articles
- Toothbrush and Toilet Bad Bacteria
- How Best Toothbrush Should Look Like
- Wonderful Teeth Whitening With Strawberries
- Dental Braces Care - Keeping Healthy Teeth
- Top Ten Budget Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Categories: Dental Products, Oral Hygiene
I had seen on TV that the need for a sterilizer is unneccesary. So while I was reading this article I couldn’t understand why they were saying it was needed; then I get to the end and see in the list of ways to keep a toothbrush clean is to rinse and airdry…isn’t that what we have been doing all along? Seems odd to buy a sanitizer or sterilizer if it doesn’t do a better job than the everyday practice of rinsing and drying.
Ann