Beware the Toothbrush of Doom

New studies show that toothbrushes may not be the solution to mouth diseases, but one of the main causes of health problems ranging from asthma to herpes, according to WebMD. Bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses all thrive on toothbrushes, retainers, dentures, and asthmatic aids. The action of brushing your teeth, especially with an electric toothbrush, which is harsher than a normal brush, can actually push these organisms under the gum line and into the bloodstream. Because these organisms are already in your mouth, it is possible that the only way to catch something is through the sharing of toothbrushes. More research needs to be done to clarify how exactly the germs transfer. However, if you are already having problems with one of these diseases, a toothbrush can increase the problem, ultimately causing you to re-infect your own mouth. “The herpes simplex virus, for instance, can remain active on a toothbrush for up to 12 days and live on dentures for up to three… Cold and flu germs can also survive for weeks under the right breeding conditions,” R. Thomas Glass, professor of dentistry at the University of Oklahoma, commented to reporters last week. He also said that where you store your toothbrush also has something to do with infection rates. Germs need damp, dark places to breed, and every time you flush your toilet, little germs float through the air, some of them probably landing on your toothbrush. His advice is to store your toothbrush in the bedroom instead. He also recommend replacing your toothbrush every two weeks. This is a reasonable suggestion, as simple toothbrushes can be purchased for one dollar. He also suggests replacing your toothbrush at the beginning of an illness, and again when the symptoms subside, to reduce the chances of re-infection. He says that clear heads and bristles are better than dark ones because clear bristles are “less conducive for organism life and growth” than darker ones. He says that electric brushes are always a bad idea because they forcible spin germs beneath the gum line. With electric brushes it is also easier to brush to hard, reducing the amount of protectant enamel on the teeth, which protect from cavities and decrease sensitivity. It is recommended that one gets a new mouth guard every week. Glass feels that football players are especially susceptible to diseases from mouth guards because often, the guard is left hanging outside the helmet. They also sit in lockers next to wet shoes or other germ breeding grounds. Another thing to be concerned about is the new floss threaders that many dental care companies make. Glass worries that with these new hand held devices, people may feel compelled to use them more than once. This obviously creates a breeding ground, especially when they are stored somewhere over night. The obvious thing to do is throw them away after every use. There is no need to fear the toothbrush, however, be extra careful to wash your brush, mouth guard and retainer in hot water with an antibacterial soap. Replace your toothbrush as recommended by Glass, and everything should be just fine.