Toothbrushes contain billions of bacteria, how can you stay safe?

 Toothbrushes contain billions of bacteria, how can you stay safe?

Kathmandu. The small toothbrush you use to clean your teeth every morning and evening is actually a breeding ground for millions of microorganisms. The microorganisms on your toothbrush can have a variety of harmful effects on your oral and overall health.

Our toothbrush is actually a small ecosystem where billions of microorganisms grow and thrive every day. The bristles of the brush are like a dry land, which when wet with water, become filled with nutrients for a while, turning into a suitable environment for bacteria. Millions of organisms live between these tiny plastic fibers.

Concern

According to studies, the toothbrushes we use can contain about one million to 12 million bacteria and fungi. They come from hundreds of different species and form a biological film on the surface of the toothbrush.

When we brush twice a day, water, saliva, skin cells, and small food particles reach the bristles of the brush. This mixture gives these bacteria a chance to grow. Sometimes, microbes that have been flushed from a nearby toilet or blown into the air from a window also get mixed in. Then, twice a day, we put this mixture in our mouth and swish it around.

Where do microbes come from?

Marc-Kevin Zinn, a microbiologist at the Rhein-Weil University of Applied Sciences in Germany, has researched the microbes found on toothbrushes. He says – The microbes found on toothbrushes mainly come from three places: our mouth, our skin, and the place where the toothbrush is stored.

The strange thing is that a toothbrush can have a large number of microbes on it even before you use it. A study conducted in Brazil found that half of the toothbrushes tested for 40 new toothbrushes from different companies were already contaminated with various types of bacteria.

Most bacteria are harmless

Research has confirmed that most of the bacteria found on toothbrushes are not harmful. Most of them come from our own mouths. Every time we brush, the bristles of the brush collect bacteria from the group Rothea dentocaryosa, Streptococcus mitis, and Actinomyces, which are commonly found in the mouth.

All of these are normally found in our mouths and do not cause any harm. In fact, some even help protect our teeth from decay. However, among them, there are also organisms that are harmful to us.

Dangerous Bacteria

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According to Vinicius Pedrazi, a professor of dentistry at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, the most dangerous bacteria found on toothbrushes are streptococci and staphylococci, which cause tooth decay, or cavities. Some other bacteria also cause gum inflammation, or periodontal disease.

Researchers have also found bacteria and fungi that are not usually found on toothbrushes. These include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae, which are linked to stomach infections and food poisoning. Similarly, the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae, which is a common cause of hospital infections, has also been found on toothbrushes. Similarly, a mold called Candida has also been found, which causes problems in the mouth.

These germs can come from the water we use to rinse our toothbrushes, from our hands, or from the environment in which we keep our toothbrushes.

Bathroom humidity and toilet flushing

The bathroom is a warm, humid place, where tiny droplets of water, or aerosols, are constantly forming in the air. This is why toothbrushes stored in the bathroom are prone to infection.

When you flush the toilet, tiny droplets of water and feces (toilet plume) can be released into the air up to 1.5 meters (about five feet). These droplets can contain infectious viruses such as flu, COVID-19, or norovirus.

If your toothbrush is kept near the toilet, particles from these droplets can settle on its fibers after you flush. Although the main risk of infection is from breathing directly while flushing, it is wise to put the toilet seat cover on before flushing.

One study found that 60 percent of students who shared their toothbrushes in a common bathroom had fecal bacteria on them.

However, Erica Hartman, a professor at Northwestern University in Illinois, says there’s no need to worry too much about toilet plumes. Her study found far fewer fecal bacteria than expected because many gut-related microbes don’t survive long in the air. “I don’t think most people get sick from their toothbrushes,” she says.

Don’t share your toothbrush and be careful with your hygiene

Toothbrush

Some studies have shown that viruses like influenza and coronavirus can survive on toothbrushes for hours, and herpes simplex virus-1 for up to 48 hours.

That’s why public health agencies advise against sharing your toothbrush with others. If multiple people have toothbrushes in the same room, they should also be kept away from each other, especially if they are from someone who does not live with you.

However, since the microbes in the mouths of people who live together already have a lot in common, it is best to keep toothbrushes close together.  

Hartman says that it is not a major concern.

Risks and antibiotic resistance

In most cases, the risk of infection is very low. However, it can be a concern for people with weakened immune systems. Gene and other studies have also found genes in some bacteria that make them resistant to antibiotics, which can be difficult to treat.

Studies have shown that even toothbrushes with antimicrobial coatings are not very effective at controlling bacteria.

Ways to keep your toothbrush clean and safe

Toothbrush

The easiest way to reduce the number of bacteria on your toothbrush is to let it dry directly at room temperature after brushing. The American Dental Association also recommends not covering the head of your toothbrush with a lid or storing it in a closed container, as this can encourage microbial growth.

Home remedies for cleaning your toothbrush

Soak in mouthwash: Soaking the brush head in antiseptic mouthwash for five to ten minutes is an effective method.

Vinegar solution: Diluting the brush head with vinegar and immersing it in water can also be effective in reducing bacteria on your toothbrush.

Dry thoroughly: Keep the brush upright and in a well-ventilated area so that it dries quickly. This will kill the harmful bacteria that play a major role in tooth decay after 12 hours.

Change your brush regularly

The broken and worn fibers of an old brush trap bacteria, moisture, and food particles for a long time. That is why experts advise replacing your toothbrush at least every three months. But people with weakened immune systems should change their brushes more often.

Researchers are trying to develop probiotic toothpastes that encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria. These toothpastes aim to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the mouth, which can suppress harmful organisms.

Ideas such as probiotic coatings or bioactive bristle materials could be new ways to maintain a healthy microbial balance in the future. This could make the toothbrush a means of protection rather than a source of infection.