The Best Dentists in Indianapolis Help Patients Protect their Toothbrush
A toothbrush is an invaluable tool for keeping your mouth clean, but do you know what might be hanging out on it? The answer might just surprise you. Learn more from the best dentists in Indianapolis here at Meridian Dental Center.
Do You Share a Bathroom?
If you do, there might be contaminates on your toothbrush. Studies suggest that sharing a bathroom showed that about 60-percent of toothbrushes contained fecal matter on them. What’s worse is that in 80-percent of the cases, it wasn’t the toothbrush owner’s fecal matter.
How does this happen? When you leave your toothbrush out in the open, it is at risk. Many people store their toothbrushes in a cup left on the sink. Bacteria from the toilet escape when you flush the toilet with the lid up. These particles make their way through the air and onto your toothbrush.
Protect Your Toothbrush
Before you kick out your partner from the bathroom, there are some ways to prevent this from occurring. First, avoid using any toothbrush cap as this makes matter worse. The toothbrush won’t dry properly and the bacteria breeds even more in wet environments.
What you want to do is rinse your toothbrush thoroughly before using it. This should be done in hot water. When you do this, you clean the bacteria away before it enters your mouth.
You’ll also want to consider storing your toothbrush in an upright position. Put it in a place that it quickly dries after usage, preferably away from the toilet. Another step you can take is to close the toilet seat lid when you flush to contain the particles.
If you store your toothbrush near your partners, make sure they aren’t touching because bacteria can spread from one to another. No want wants to brush their teeth with fecal matter, so it’s imperative to your dental health that you take these steps.
Don’t forget to get a new toothbrush every three to four months or anytime that it looks worn out. If you need further guidance on protecting your toothbrush, make sure you speak to your dentist. With a little diligence, you can keep your teeth in their optimal condition.
Need to schedule an appointment with the best dentists in Indianapolis? Call Meridian Dental Center today at (317) 926-5467 to schedule!