Checklist for when to replace the most frequently used items in your home
Learn how often to change everyday items like toothbrushes and pillows to keep your home clean, healthy, and comfortable.
Most of us are aware of common ways that illness spreads, such as when a coworker coughs during a meeting, someone sneezes in the seat behind you on a long flight, or touching a contaminated doorknob or shopping cart handle before rubbing your eyes or nose.
But in recent years, attention has shifted to less obvious sources of germs, such as reusable water bottles, kitchen sponges, cell phones, and makeup brushes. Social media has only amplified such concerns, with many viral posts claiming that everyday items may be making us sick.
One item that has received particular attention is the humble toothbrush, with people claiming online that the very tool designed to keep your mouth healthy could be harboring potentially disease-causing bacteria. Are such concerns justified or overblown? Here’s what you need to know.
Are you getting sick from your toothbrush?
If you get sick from your toothbrush, your biggest concern is reinfection from bacteria left behind during your illness, and brushing your teeth after you’ve recovered can make you sick again. while brushing your teeth can Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, says it’s rare for bacteria, viruses and fungi to build up after brushing your teeth while you’re sick.
The main reason for this, he says, is that “if you are infected again soon after recovering, your immune system has typically developed antibodies and other defenses that recognize and eliminate the same virus or bacteria.”
Most bacteria gradually lose their infectivity as the toothbrush dries, especially if it is stored uncovered. On the other hand, “toothbrushes that are kept in sealed containers or stay wet longer tend to harbor bacteria,” says Dr. Briar Voy, a dentist and prosthodontist at Amsterdam Dental Group in New Jersey and a spokesperson for Super Smile.
Certain bacterial or fungal infections may require more attention. “In the case of bacterial infections such as streptococcal infections, the bacteria can survive on toothbrushes for several days and are highly contagious, so a reasonable preventive measure is to replace the toothbrush after treatment,” Professor Nagata says.
The same is true for oral thrush, a yeast infection caused by candida. This is because this fungus can persist for long periods on oral surfaces and toothbrush bristles. Cold sores are another potential exception worth noting. “The virus that causes cold sores is known to persist on toothbrushes for more than 24 hours. However, studies have shown that most viruses typically die within two hours,” says Voi.
Are some people at higher risk than others?
Reinfection from your own toothbrush is rare for most healthy people, but some people should be more careful.
People with weakened immune systems, such as people undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant patients taking immunosuppressants, people with advanced HIV infection, and people with certain immune-related diseases, “are likely not to have built up an adequate immune response to infection-causing microorganisms, so toothbrushes can harbor bacteria that cause repeated exposure,” Voy says.
Nagata added that older adults and people recovering from serious illnesses may also benefit from paying close attention to toothbrush hygiene.
Voy agreed, adding that she was especially concerned about spreading germs to others through cross-contamination. “I’m more concerned about infecting other family members than reinfection because the toothbrushes are stored so close together,” she says.
How often should I change my toothbrush?
To reduce the risk of cross-contamination, Nagata recommends storing toothbrushes separately and “not sharing your toothbrush with others, especially when you’re sick.”
To minimize the risk of reinfection, Voy recommends rinsing toothbrushes thoroughly under running water after each use, storing them upright to allow them to air dry completely between brushings, and avoiding using closed travel cases or toothbrush covers until brushes are completely dry. If you want an extra layer of protection, using a UV disinfectant or soaking your toothbrush bristles in antibacterial mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide can also “lower the bacterial content,” she says.
Another inexpensive method is to place your toothbrush in boiling water to kill bacteria. However, Voy warns, “This can be even harsher on toothbrush bristles and plastic.”
Even outside of illness, the American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, but “sooner if there are visible signs of wear, such as the bristles spreading, curling, or becoming soft,” says Nagata.
For most healthy people, good daily brushing habits, proper toothbrush storage, and changing your toothbrush every few months are all you need to keep your mouth and body healthy and your smile bright, Voy says.
