The Use and Handling of Toothbrushes
Tooth brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is a simple, widely recommended and widely practiced method of caring for one’s teeth. When done routinely and properly, tooth brushing can reduce the amount of plaque which contains the bacteria associated with gum disease and tooth decay, as well as provide the cavity-preventing benefits of fluoride.
To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is unaware of any adverse health effects directly related to toothbrush use, although people with bleeding disorders and those severely immuno-depressed may suffer trauma from tooth brushing and may need to seek alternate means of oral hygiene. The mouth is home to millions of microorganisms (germs). In removing plaque and other soft debris from the teeth, toothbrushes become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva, oral debris, and toothpaste. Because of this contamination, a common recommendation is to rinse one’s toothbrush thoroughly with tap water following brushing. Limited research has suggested that even after being rinsed visibly clean, toothbrushes can remain contaminated with potentially pathogenic organisms. In response to this, various means of cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing toothbrushes between uses have been developed. To date, however, no published research data documents that brushing with a contaminated toothbrush has led to recontamination of a user’s mouth, oral infections, or other adverse health effects.
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Recommended Toothbrush Care
- Do not share
toothbrushes. The exchange of body fluids that such sharing would foster
places toothbrush sharers at an increased risk for infections, a
particularly important consideration for persons with compromised immune
systems or infectious diseases.
- After brushing, rinse
your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water to ensure the removal of
toothpaste and debris, allow it to air-dry, and store it in an upright
position. If multiple brushes are stored in the same holder, do not
allow them to contact each other.
- It is not necessary to
soak toothbrushes in disinfecting solutions or mouthwash. This practice
actually may lead to cross-contamination of toothbrushes if the same
disinfectant solution is used over a period of time or by multiple
users.
- It is also unnecessary
to use dishwashers, microwaves, or ultraviolet devices to disinfect
toothbrushes. These measures may damage the toothbrush.
- Do not routinely cover
toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. Such conditions (a
humid environment) are more conducive to bacterial growth than the open
air.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if the bristles appear worn or splayed. This recommendation of the American Dental Association is based on the expected wear of the toothbrush and its subsequent loss of mechanical effectiveness, not on its bacterial contamination.
A decision to purchase or use products for toothbrush disinfection requires careful consideration, as the scientific literature does not support this practice at the present time.
Tooth brushing Programs in Schools and Group Settings
Tooth brushing in group settings should always be supervised to ensure that toothbrushes are not shared and that they are handled properly. The likelihood of toothbrush cross-contamination in these environments is very high, either through children playing with them or toothbrushes being stored improperly. In addition a small chance exists that toothbrushes could become contaminated with blood during brushing. Although the risk for disease transmission through toothbrushes is still minimal, it is a potential cause for concern. Therefore, officials in charge of tooth brushing programs in these settings should evaluate their programs carefully.
Recommended measures for hygienic tooth brushing in schools:
- Ensure that each
child has his or her own toothbrush, clearly marked with
identification. Do not allow children to share or borrow toothbrushes.
- To prevent cross
contamination of the toothpaste tube, ensure that a pea-sized amount
of toothpaste is always dispensed onto a piece of wax paper before
dispensing any onto the toothbrush.
- After the children
finish brushing, ensure that they rinse their toothbrushes thoroughly
with tap water, allow them to air-dry, and store them in an upright
position so they cannot contact those of other children.
- Provide children with paper cups to use for rinsing after they finish brushing. Do not allow them to share cups, and ensure that they dispose of the cups properly after a single use.
Page last reviewed: October 29, 2008
Page last modified: July 15, 2005
Content source:
Division of Oral Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion