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A beautiful mouth with bright white teeth and no cavities, that’s what dentists like to see. But you probably brush your teeth daily just to keep the dentist happy. A clean, fresh mouth with fresh breath is not only healthy and pleasant for you, it also benefits your social life. You can’t clean with a dirty cloth, and the same goes for your toothbrush. But how do you clean your toothbrush?
New out of the box, your toothbrush is naturally the cleanest. At least, if you can believe the manufacturer. No one has had this brush in their mouth, but cleaning it before using it for the first time can never hurt. Just rinse it once with cold water and shake it dry. Brush away! Throwing it straight from your mouth onto the shelf is not a good idea. Nor is it a good idea to leave your toothbrush in the sink. Whether you brush by hand or electrically, even after use, rinse well with cold water and your toothbrush is fresh again.
Do you have a toothbrush with a handle made of bamboo? Great for the environment! But such a piece of bamboo can retain moisture, something plastic does not do. Fortunately, bamboo has antibacterial properties. Cleaning a bamboo toothbrush is the same as cleaning a plastic one. However, when cleaning a bamboo toothbrush, make sure that the toothbrush is allowed to dry properly. It is particularly important to keep it free-standing and upright.
Bacteria can cause cavities and inflammation. Not only does this make for bad breath, it can also be painful. You brush them out of your mouth every day, but they have to go somewhere. On your toothbrush, that is. Fortunately, by cleaning your toothbrush with a good rinse, you get rid of most of the pathogens. Storing your toothbrush properly prevents the spread of bacteria. Store it upright and away from your roommates’ brushes, for example in a special container with compartments. Near the toilet is not very cool either, when flushing the toilet bacteria can land on your toothbrush through the air. Therefore, keep your toothbrush at least two metres away from the toilet.
If you have been sick, especially if you have had an infection, it is wise to replace your toothbrush. While you’re still recovering, clean your toothbrush extra well.
How do you clean a toothbrush after dropping it? In a relatively clean sink, you can rinse it well. If it has fallen into a dirty spot, replacing your brush is fresh.
Rinsing with cold water and storing it upright works wonders. You can also put your toothbrush in a cup with some water, lemon juice and bicarbonate for a thorough cleaning. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly before brushing again.
Unfortunately, no matter how well you clean a toothbrush, it will not last forever. Keeping it upright does less damage to the bristles and prevents it from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. But when the bristles wear down, your brush needs to be replaced. As a rule of thumb, you should replace your toothbrush every three months.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you clean your toothbrush properly?
Rinse with cold water after use, store upright with the brush in an upright position and clean thoroughly with lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda once a week. This will keep your toothbrush fresh and ready to clean your mouth for a long time.
What is the best way to clean my toothbrush?
The best way to clean your toothbrush is under cold, running water. For a deeper clean, you can put the brush in a bath of lemon juice and bicarbonate. For best results, do this about once a week.
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