How to Disinfect Toothbrush

A toothbrush is something everyone has because we need to brush our teeth every day to keep our teeth and mouth clean and free from germs and bad odors. What might not be too popular is the practice of disinfecting your toothbrush. Many people do not know that they need to disinfect their toothbrushes, so they don’t do so. Keep reading to understand why and how to disinfect toothbrush.

Why should you disinfect your toothbrush?

You should disinfect your toothbrush because:

1. When you brush your teeth, the germs in your mouth and teeth get transferred to the toothbrush, and they usually remain there even after washing with just water.
2. Most people keep their toothbrushes in the bathroom. Germs are floating in the air in the bathroom, and these germs can settle on your toothbrush.

How to disinfect toothbrush

There are many ways to disinfect your toothbrush.

1. Run hot water over it before and after each use
   Running hot water over the bristles of your toothbrush before and after each use is the simplest way to sanitize it. Doing this eliminates any bacteria that may have accumulated on your toothbrush in the intervals between brushings. Additionally, it removes any fresh bacteria that might have developed between uses.
2. Soak it in antibacterial mouthwash
   You can soak your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash if you are not comfortable with a hot water rinse. Remember that doing so could cause your toothbrush to wear out more quickly due to the harsh compounds typically found in these mouthwashes and cause bristles to degrade. This technique involves soaking your toothbrush for about two minutes, head down, in a small cup of mouthwash after every brushing.
3. Boiling
   Your toothbrush doesn’t need to be boiled to be clean enough to use, and boiling water may cause the plastic handle of most toothbrushes to melt. Heat water in a tea kettle or a pot on your stove if you still want to use boiling water. When it boils, turn off the heat and immerse your toothbrush for about a minute.
4. Denture cleanser
   You can clean your toothbrush with a denture-cleaning solution. Antimicrobial components found in denture cleaners work to eliminate oral bacteria and plaque. Reusing the denture cleaner that you’ve already used on your dentures is not advised.
5. UV toothbrush sanitizer
   Alternatively, you can spend money on a toothbrush-specific UV light sanitizer. Although it can be pricey, having this equipment is not necessary for proper brushing. Regardless of the UV sanitizer you purchase, follow the manufacturer’s directions.
6. Electrolytically generated hypochlorous acid
   This acid is created by passing electricity through a solution of table salt and water. It is a mild acid that has proven to be effective in killing bacteria and fungi on any surface, including on your toothbrush. This acid is produced with a readily available kit. Studies have shown that this acid is the best agent for disinfecting your toothbrush.

You can sanitize the electric toothbrush head in the same manner as a conventional toothbrush for electric toothbrushes. Before applying anything other than warm water and toothpaste to your toothbrush, be sure to unplug the electric toothbrush head from the base. If your electric toothbrush doesn’t come apart from the base, soak it for a short while in warm water or mouthwash before storing it somewhere clean and dry. You can also spray hypochlorous acid on your electric toothbrush. The acid will kill the germs without harming the toothbrush. You also don’t need to rinse the toothbrush after spraying hypochlorous acid.

Why is hypochlorous acid the best for disinfecting your toothbrush?

Hypochlorous acid is 100% safe and non-irritant. Even if it spills on your skin or eyes, it will not burn. Also, mistakenly ingesting hypochlorous acid will not cause any problems for you. According to studies, it is safe for food production, so it is safe to use on your toothbrush. It is, however, tough on germs and more effective than toxic disinfectants.

How to make hypochlorous acid?

Hypochlorous acid(HOCL) is made by mixing table salt and water and passing electricity through it. Several home electrolysis systems that use table salt and water to produce stable hypochlorous acid have been developed. Sometimes distilled vinegar is added to lower the pH, allowing for a solution of free chlorine dominated by the hypochlorous acid molecule. The quality of the electrolysis cell is an important consideration when selecting a home system. Higher-quality systems may be more expensive, but they will last much longer due to the durability of the alloys used to make the cells.

Where to get a hypochlorous acid-making kit

There are several hypochlorite anion(CLO-) kits but very few hypochlorous acid kits. The makers of these hypochlorite kits might try to convince you that hypochlorite is the same as hypochlorous acid, but this isn’t correct. Hypochlorite contains harsh compounds that are not suitable for disinfecting anything that goes into your mouth. However, you can get a home-friendly and easy-to-operate hypochlorous acid kit here. These kits are also known as home electrolysis kits.

 

How to keep your toothbrush clean?

Now that you have disinfected your toothbrush with hypochlorous acid, how do you ensure that it gathers the least possible amount of germs before you use it the next time?

1. Keep it in a hydrogen peroxide solution
   Keeping your toothbrush in a cup of hydrogen peroxide limits the growth of bacteria on your toothbrush. However, it would be best if you changed the hydrogen peroxide daily before storing your toothbrush in it.
2. Store them far away from the toilet
   Flushing the toilet releases bacteria into the air. This bacteria then settles on everything in the bathroom, including your toothbrush. To avoid this, store your toothbrush in a covered cabinet or keep it as far as possible from the toilet.
3. Do not store toothbrushes together
   Storing toothbrushes together could lead to cross-contamination of bacteria between the bristles, especially if different people use the toothbrushes. It is advisable to keep toothbrushes five centimeters away from each other.
4. Clean toothbrush covers and holder
   Imagine disinfecting your toothbrush and putting it in the same dirty cover or holder. Doesn’t sound too smart, right? This is why you should clean your toothbrush holder or container weekly. Also, remember to dry your toothbrush before keeping it in the holder. Covering a wet toothbrush can create a conducive environment for bacteria to grow on the bristles.
5. Use a toothpaste dispenser
   Apply toothpaste from a dispenser to reduce the risk of cross-contamination of bacteria from your toothpaste tube to your toothbrush.

How long should you use your toothbrush?

Doctors advise that you should change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. You should also change it if:

• Someone else uses it
• When the bristles wear out
• If someone is sick in your household

Final Thoughts 

The importance of disinfecting your toothbrush is obvious. However, using the best disinfectant is equally essential. Hypochlorous acid has been proven to be the safest and the most effective toothbrush disinfectant. You can learn more about hypochlorous acid here.