You flush the toilet. Invisible water droplets fly into the air. They land on your toothbrush. It’s a gross phenomenon called “toilet plume,” and it means your toothbrush holds more than just toothpaste residue.
Cleaning your toothbrush effectively is the only way to banish that fecal matter, bacteria, and grime. We’re here to help you scrub, sanitize, and store your brush so you can smile without worrying about what’s lurking in the bristles.
Key Takeaways
- Rinse your toothbrush with hot water before and after every single use.
- Deep clean weekly using mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or UV sanitizers.
- Store brushes upright, separated from others, and as far from the toilet as possible.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, or immediately after you’ve been sick.
How to Clean a Toothbrush Daily
You need a daily routine to keep plaque and bacteria at bay. When you brush, you are essentially scrubbing microorganisms off your teeth and transferring them onto the bristles. A quick rinse prevents that bacteria from growing or re-entering your mouth later.
Follow this simple routine every time you brush.
- Time: 1 minute
- Difficulty: Beginner
What You’ll Need
- Hot running water
- Your toothbrush
Steps
- Heat the water: Turn on the faucet and wait for the water to get steaming hot.
- Rinse the bristles: Hold the toothbrush head under the stream for 15 to 20 seconds. rub your thumb over the bristles to dislodge trapped food particles or toothpaste.
- Air dry: Shake off excess water and store the brush upright.
How to Disinfect a Toothbrush
Daily rinsing helps, but it doesn’t kill everything. A deep disinfection session once a week tackles the stubborn germs and bacteria described in hygiene studies. This is also the go-to process if your brush falls on the bathroom floor.
Choose one of the methods below based on what you have in your medicine cabinet.
Method 1: UV Sanitizer
Technology makes sanitation easy. You can purchase a device like this UV sanitizing toothbrush holder. It uses ultraviolet light to zap bacteria without chemicals, though the initial cost is higher than other methods.
- Load the holder: Place your toothbrush into the designated slot after brushing.
- Activate the cycle: Press the start button (or close the lid, depending on the model). The light will run for about 5 minutes to sanitize the bristles.
Method 2: Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an affordable powerhouse for killing bacteria.
- Pour the solution: Fill a small cup with enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to cover the head of the brush.
- Soak the brush: Place the toothbrush bristle-down in the cup. Let it soak for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse well: Rinse the brush thoroughly with water before using it again. Discard the used peroxide immediately; do not reuse it.
Method 3: Mouthwash
If it kills bacteria in your mouth, it kills bacteria on your brush. Note that alcohol-based mouthwashes work best for this.
- Fill a cup: Pour a small amount of mouthwash into a cup.
- Submerge bristles: Soak the head of the toothbrush for 2 to 5 minutes. Do not soak longer than 15 minutes, or you might damage the bristles.
- Rinse: Give it a quick rinse under the tap and let it air dry.
Method 4: Denture Cleaner
Denture tablets are formulated to remove antimicrobial buildup and plaque from oral devices, making them perfect for toothbrushes.
- Dissolve the tablet: Drop half of a denture-cleaning tablet, such as Retainer Cleaning 120 Denture Cleaning Tablets, into a cup of warm water.
- Soak: Place your toothbrush in the fizzing solution for 90 seconds.
- Rinse: Wash off the solution with fresh water.
Method 5: Baking Soda and Vinegar
You can use pantry staples to handle the grime. Vinegar acts as a disinfectant, while baking soda neutralizes odors.
To use vinegar:
Soak the toothbrush bristles in a cup of white vinegar for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly to remove the sour taste.
To use baking soda:
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of water. Soak the brush for 15 minutes, then rinse.
Method 6: Boiling Water
Heat kills germs effectively, but you must be careful. Boiling water can melt plastic handles or weaken nylon bristles if you aren’t paying attention.
- Boil water: Heat water in a kettle or pot.
- Dip the head: Pour the water into a mug. Hold the toothbrush by the handle and dip only the head into the water for 30 seconds. Do not drop the whole brush in.
How to Clean an Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes require a little extra attention. Water and toothpaste often get trapped where the head connects to the handle, creating a breeding ground for black mold and gunk.
- Time: 5 minutes
- Difficulty: Beginner
What You’ll Need
- Mouthwash or vinegar
- Cotton swab or towel
1. Detach the Head
Always remove the brush head from the electric base. If you leave it attached, water stays trapped inside the connection shaft.
2. Soak the Bristles
Soak just the detachable head in mouthwash or a vinegar solution for 15 minutes. Wipe down the electric handle base with a damp cloth (never submerge the battery part).
3. Clean the Connection
Look inside the bottom of the brush head and the top of the handle. Use a cotton swab to wipe out any white or black buildup. Let both pieces air dry completely before snapping them back together.
How to Sanitize After Being Sick
If you or a family member has been sick (flu, strep, COVID-19, or a cold), your toothbrush can re-infect you.
- Isolate the brush: Move the sick person’s toothbrush to a different room to prevent viruses from jumping to other brushes.
- Don’t share paste: Bacteria can travel from the brush to the toothpaste tube. Pump the toothpaste onto a Q-tip first, then apply it to the bristles.
- Disinfect daily: Soak the brush head in 3% hydrogen peroxide or a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 4 parts water) after every use while sick. Rinse thoroughly.
- Toss it: The safest route is to throw the toothbrush away and buy a new one once you are fully recovered.
Tips For Keeping a Toothbrush Clean
Proper storage is just as important as the cleaning method. You want to prevent foreign bacteria from settling on your bristles in the first place.
- Keep it vertical: Always store your toothbrush upright in a holder so water drains away from the bristles.
- Separate the heads: If you use a shared holder, make sure the toothbrush heads do not touch each other. This stops cross-contamination.
- Close the lid: Flush the toilet with the lid down. The toilet plume can spray fecal bacteria up to 15 feet into the air.
- Skip the covers: Do not use plastic covers on wet toothbrushes. They trap moisture and create a greenhouse for mold growth. Only use covers for travel.
- Clean the holder: Sanitize your toothbrush cup or holder once a week. Bacterial biofilm accumulates at the bottom quickly.
When to Replace a Toothbrush
Even a clean toothbrush doesn’t last forever. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
However, you should toss it sooner if the bristles are frayed, bent, or matted. Worn bristles can damage gum tissue and won’t clean your teeth effectively. Always replace your brush immediately after recovering from an illness.
FAQs
How Do You Clean a Toothbrush If Someone Used It?
Honestly, you shouldn’t. It is nearly impossible to fully disinfect a toothbrush after someone else has used it. You risk sharing mouth flora, viruses, and blood-borne pathogens. If someone uses your brush, throw it away and buy a new one.
How Long Can Bacteria Live on a Toothbrush?
Viruses and bacteria can survive on a toothbrush anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. Flu viruses, for example, can linger on moist surfaces for up to 72 hours, potentially causing reinfection.
What Happens If You Use the Same Toothbrush for Too Long?
Old toothbrushes accumulate bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, frayed bristles become abrasive to your gums and lose their ability to scrape plaque off your teeth, leading to a higher risk of cavities and gingivitis.
Can You Use Bleach To Clean a Toothbrush?
Yes, but you must dilute it heavily. Mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts water. Soak the brush head for 1 minute, then rinse excessively. Because bleach is a harsh chemical, hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash are generally safer alternatives for daily use.
Can I Put My Toothbrush in the Dishwasher?
It depends on the toothbrush. Solid plastic handles can usually survive the top rack of a dishwasher, which sanitizes them effectively. However, the high heat can melt rubber grips and warp nylon bristles. Check the manufacturer’s packaging before trying this.
What Is the Black Stuff Inside My Toothbrush Head?
That is likely mold or bacterial biofilm. It grows in moist, dark areas where water gets trapped, especially inside hollow electric toothbrush heads. If you see this, soak the head in vinegar or bleach to kill the mold, or replace the head entirely.
