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Posted on 7/13/2019 by Platte Valley Dental Care |
It seems to make sense that a clean toothbrush is one of the keys to good oral health. A dirty toothbrush could end up creating more of the damaging bacteria that exists in the mouth. The problem that people run into is deciding whether they need to clean their toothbrush and if they do, how should they clean it. Is the dishwasher the best place to clean and sanitize a toothbrush or is there a better way? Why Do This? Toothbrushes do not last forever. They wear out and are not an effective tool to maintain your oral health. One of the keys to getting the most out of your toothbrush is keeping it clean. There are many ways to do this from rinsing it off thoroughly after use to soaking in an antibacterial mouthwash and rinsing it off before use. Some may store the brush overnight in hydrogen peroxide. There are times when the brush needs a deeper cleaning. If you are getting over the flu or some other illness, it is wise to disinfect your toothbrush in case any of those germs remaining. One way to do this is to boil the brush in water for 3 minutes. Some may not want to do this and will wonder if they can run it through the dishwasher to sanitize it. The answer is, yes, a dishwasher can clean the toothbrush. It is important to run the brush through both the rinse and drying cycle to get the best results. Remember to Replace your ToothbrushWhile it is possible to give the toothbrush a good cleaning with a dishwasher, it is not always the best idea. The cost of a new toothbrush is not as much as dealing with cavities from poor oral health care. It is often better to replace a toothbrush after battling an illness, then trying to clean it in any way.For more information about this or any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment. |