It may seem logical to keep oral care products in the bathroom, but some experts say you might want to think twice about where you put your toothbrush.
Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, an oral health educator based in Austin, Texas, shared the fundamental reason why she never recommends placing toothbrushes near the toilet, especially in small bathrooms.
“Bacteria from the toilet will get on your toothbrush,” she warned. “And a toothbrush gets rid of all the bacteria in your mouth in just one use.”
Women experience more dental health problems than men, experts say
“If you actually brush your teeth with a new toothbrush, cut off the end, and send it to a lab, they'll give you a general idea of the contours of your mouth,” Phillips added.
“You will be sharing germs from people who live in close communities,” experts warned. (St. Petersburg)
Phillips says that on dense-bristled toothbrushes, bacteria can “descend and multiply” and then “become anaerobic,” which means the bacteria can take on a more aggressive form. It is said to mean.
Follow these 7 tips from dental experts to keep your teeth white and healthy.
“Bacteria in the toilet and air from the bathroom can interact with this and create an even worse scenario,” she says. “That means you're sharing germs from people who live in close communities.”
Dental experts say bacteria in the bathroom air can interact with your toothbrush. (St. Petersburg)
Exposure to this bacteria can promote the development of dental diseases that can “take a long time to develop,” Phillips warned.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
If you can't keep your toothbrush away from the toilet, Phillips recommends brushing your teeth in the kitchen sink instead.
The best way to clean your toothbrush is to let it dry completely, which will kill any bacteria, experts advise.
For more health articles, visit: www.foxnews.com/health.
She also recommends using a toothbrush that isn't too soft and has “lots of bristles of different lengths” that allow the toothbrush itself to dry and effectively clean your mouth.
The expert recommended using a medium-bristled toothbrush that “has lots of bristles of different lengths.” (St. Petersburg)
“You don't need $350 worth of toothbrushes, but many toothbrushes are ineffective. They're too soft. They get infected easily and need to be dry,” she says.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Take care of yourself,” Phillips continued. “When your mouth is healthy with healthy bacteria and a healthy biofilm, it's like a bulletproof inner skin covering your teeth, gums, and mouth that rejects invading bacteria.”
