4 Rules For Properly Storing Your Toothbrush

By Author: Jeff Roy
Total Articles: 55
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As a new high school graduate, you feel more than ready to go out on your own. Maybe you’re off to college this fall and counting down the days until you start your next adventure. Although following rules may be the last thing you’re concerned about, before you go out into the world by yourself, there are some small things you should know about. One of them is how you should store your toothbrush in whatever living situation you’re going to have! Here are 4 rules your dentist needs you to know to keep your toothbrush clean and functional every day.
#1: Don’t lay your toothbrush flat.
Putting your toothbrush down flat onto the counter allows water to pool up near the base of the bristles, which create an ideal scenario for bacterial growth, even after rinsing and shaking excess water off. Instead, put your toothbrush in a cup or container that holds it upright.
#2: Make sure the toothbrush bristles aren’t touching others.
Even in the closest families or living arrangements, you need to have some space to yourself—including for your toothbrush. ...
... If you share a bathroom with someone else, you may want to consider a holder that keeps your toothbrushes separate to make them more sanitary.
#3: Keep your toothbrush out in the open.
Although storing your toothbrush in the medicine cabinet or a closet may seem like it would protect you against bacteria, the opposite is actually true. Putting the wet toothbrush in an enclosed space will only encourage microorganisms to grow. Leave your tooth out on the counter so it can dry naturally and completely between uses.
#4: Keep it away from the toilet.
While you should allow your toothbrush to be out in the open, you should also be aware of how close it is to the toilet. Germs can spread from the toilet to other surrounding surfaces when you flush, so put your toothbrush in a little farther away. After all, you don’t want to get those nasty germs in your mouth!
No matter what this next phase of life brings or what living situation you’ll have, you can have clean, healthy smile if you properly store your toothbrush after you use it every day.