{"id":230,"date":"2020-03-11T16:51:19","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T16:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.byarsdental.com\/blog\/?p=230"},"modified":"2020-04-27T16:51:39","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T16:51:39","slug":"kansas-city-dentist-sanitize-toothbrush-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.byarsdental.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/kansas-city-dentist-sanitize-toothbrush-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sanitize Your Toothbrush & Keep It Germ-Free"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SmilingIt\u2019s common knowledge that brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day is a key part of preventing oral health conditions and keeping your smile sparkling. However, if you\u2019re using an old toothbrush, you may not be protecting your pearly whites as well as you think. In fact, you may have bacteria growing in its bristles if you\u2019re not being intentional about how you store and clean it! Your Kansas City dentist<\/a> goes over the best way to sanitize your toothbrush and keep your smile happy and healthy.<\/p>\n

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Is Toothbrush Sanitization Necessary?<\/h2>\n

Every mouth is naturally full of bacteria and plaque. If too much of either builds up in your mouth, you\u2019re more likely to develop tooth decay, gum disease, or other oral health concerns. Brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste dislodges and removes these particles before they can cause damage and strengthens your teeth against decay.<\/p>\n

Rinsing your toothbrush off after every use typically removes most of these particles. However, any remaining bacteria on the bristles will thrive and grow in a warm, damp, and dark environment, which could be your toothbrush if you keep it in a cabinet or use a toothbrush cover. Then, these bacteria are redeposited back into your mouth the next time you brush, which could lead to infections and other oral health issues.<\/p>\n

How Do I Sanitize My Toothbrush?<\/h2>\n

Thankfully, there are several easy ways you can disinfect your toothbrush and clean away any lingering germs by:<\/p>\n