You brush daily to keep your teeth and mouth clean. Along with brushing, you should also know how to clean your toothbrush and electric toothbrush regularly for optimal oral health. Learn more on how to disinfect toothbrush and how to keep toothbrushes clean.
How Often Should You Clean Your Toothbrush?
Like oral care, you should also know how to clean your toothbrush. You should clean the toothbrush after every use to prevent buildup on the bristles and handles and remove any bacteria on its surface.
- Rinse after use- Always rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with warm water after brushing.
- Replace regularly- The American Dental Association recommends replacing toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months. Learn more about how often to replace your toothbrush.
- Check your wear- Always keep an eye on your toothbrush bristles. If you notice any damage or frayed bristle, change your toothbrush sooner.
- Store toothbrush- You need to learn how to store your toothbrush properly with a cover so that the airborne bacteria cannot lay on your toothbrush.
Daily Toothbrush Maintenance Tips
Your toothbrush is your daily essential so you need to how to clean and maintain your toothbrush. A good maintenance of your toothbrush is important to have effective oral care and your overall health.
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Clean your toothbrush after every use with hot water to remove any food debris in between the bristles.
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Store in an upright position in a container away from your washroom and let it air dry to prevent bacterial growth.
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Never share your used toothbrush with anyone because that can transfer germs and bacteria from one mouth to another.
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Try not to place two toothbrushes touching each other and keep your toothbrush in a cool place.
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Do not brush your teeth roughly as it can lead to damaging the toothbrush bristles sooner.
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Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
How to Deep Clean Your Toothbrush
There are several ways how to clean a toothbrush and an electric toothbrush. The best ways to deep clean your toothbrush are-
- UV Sanitizer- There is a debate among experts whether UV sanitisers work or not. However, for a deep clean you can opt for UV sanitisers as they are more effective than saline and antiseptic mouthwash.
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Disinfecting Solution- Soaking your toothbrush in an anti-bacterial mouthwash can help disinfect your toothbrush.
Tips for Cleaning Electric Toothbrush Heads
For those who use an electric toothbrush, they must know how to clean electric toothbrush. These tips will help you enhance your knowledge of how to keep an electric toothbrush clean.
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Rinse it properly after brushing to remove any food debris.
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Detach the head from the handle and wash both separately.
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Soak the toothbrush into an antibacterial solution for deep cleaning.
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Let the toothbrush air dry itself before putting any cover into it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Toothbrush Maintenance
The most common mistakes to avoid are-
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Brushing too harshly affects the bristle and damages them.
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Storing your toothbrush in a closed container.
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Keep your toothbrush in the washroom where airborne bacteria can lay on them.
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Not washing brush heads and brush handles separately.
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Not replacing the toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
Conclusion
Complete oral care doesn’t only include how to brush properly but also how to keep manual and electric toothbrushes clean. Keep an eye on your toothbrush and disinfect it for better oral care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do you deep clean a toothbrush?
Answer- You can deep clean your toothbrush using UV sanitisers and soaking them in an anti-bacterial mouthwash can help disinfect your toothbrush.
Q2. Can salt water clean a toothbrush?
Answer- Salt water can clean your toothbrush by killing off bacteria. However, it is not as effective as soaking your toothbrush in an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
Q3. How do I get the black stuff off my toothbrush?
Answer- You need to know how to sterilize a toothbrush. Use some warm water and soak your toothbrush in it. You can also use anti-bacterial mouthwash.
Q4. How to sanitize a toothbrush?
Answer- Soaking your toothbrush in an anti-bacterial mouthwash can help sanitise your toothbrush. Always remember to clean electric toothbrush heads and handles separately.