Source: versionweekly.com
Author: rajathe

Dental care has become increasingly difficult in this fast-paced era and due to the scarcity of time. Therefore, following minute steps or procedures could be highly effective to evade colossal dental problems and save time in the long run. And an effective measure towards this, is to sanitize your toothbrush. The mouth contains bacteria and so does the bathroom. So, it is impossible for the toothbrush to stay sanitized with just a water wash after cleansing the teeth.

Toothbrush sanitizing ¡s not synonymous to sterilizing. Sanitation helps in getting rid of almost 99.9 percent of bacteria whereas sterilization kills living organisms. Brushing our teeth is quite vital ¡n our day-to-day life in order to keep and maintain personal oral hygiene and for the removal of plaque. And for this, certain appropriate measures need to be taken.

As a result of a recent research, scientists have found that toothbrushes engulf microorganisms that can result in an oral, dental or infection of some kind. We are acquainted with the fact that an oral cavity is an umbrella to hundreds of different types of microorganisms, which in a way gets transferred to the toothbrush. There is also a probability that the microorganisms in the environment make room for itself on the toothbrush on its own. Also, toothbrushes may even have bacteria on them right out of the box since they are not required to be sold in a sterile package.

Toothbrush Hygiene
Our schedules are so busy that we have time for nothing and that leads to the negligence of petty issues like washing toothbrush properly, which in turn contributes to dental problems. The majority of us simply clean or scrub the head of the toothbrush only once after we complete the brushing process. It would be more hygienic if the toothbrush could be rinsed in lukewarm water to get rid of food debris and leftover toothpaste in the bristles.

Clinically there is no evidence that if a toothbrush is soaked in antibacterial mouthwash ¡t would deliver positive results but it won’t disrupt the toothbrush in any way either.

The proper procedures for sanitizing the toothbrush is as follows:

  • Keep the toothbrush immersed in the mouthwash and warm water mix
  • Take the brush out of the solution after 15 minutes
  • Don’t keep it immersed for too long, or it will destroy the bristles
  • Don’t reuse the mixed solution as it defeats the cleansing or sanitizing process

Gum disease (periodontal) and health complications share a strong alliance and result in hazardous diseases such as stroke, heart disease, etc. It also affects pregnant women in terms of low birth weight and pre-term babies. Research shows that 90 per cent of diseases and health hazards are likely to have oral manifestations like swollen mouth ulcers, gums, excessive gum problems, and dry mouth. Other diseases include diabetes, leukaemia, pancreatic cancer, oral cancer, kidney disease and heart disease.

A dentist may be a saviour if a proper diagnosis can be conducted from the roots in its infant stages. Routine visits to a dentist can also help in keeping one’s smile attractive. This would also enable dentists to foretell a lot more about one’s health which includes whether or not one may develop a disease like diabetes in the near future.

Research has proven that our mouth acts like a mirror that reflects the condition of the body. On the contrary, poor oral health, heralds a plethora of health problems. And, good oral health keeps diseases from occurring.

Recommendations
According to dentists, the growth and abundance of bacteria on toothbrushes requires dark, warm and humid conditions. Veiling a toothbrush in a dosed area can invite problems. One should always keep the toothbrush dry, airy and in a holder that does not come in contact with the bristles or other toothbrushes. The toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. Also, keep in mind that the sharing of toothbrushes contribute to the problem on a massive scale.

Precautions
If anyone in the family gets infected because of a contagious agent, following some preventive measures can help. Replacing toothbrushes every three to four months, purchasing expendable toothbrushes and using an antibacterial mouthwash for rinsing and soaking is beneficial. Also, you need to know that a UV sanitizer will not result in a maximum removal of germs. Another flaw in the usage of UV sanitizer is that the ultraviolet light may destroy the bristles.