Have you ever pondered what would occur if you don’t occasionally replace your toothbrush or at the very least keep it clean? Two dental specialists were consulted by Newsweek to learn more about the harmful bacteria that thrives on dirty toothbrushes and how to prevent it.
According to Fatima Khan of newsweek, “Our toothbrush does house millions of bacteria.”
The doctor of dental medicine and biological science currently works as a physician in Houston, Texas. Streptococcus mutans, staphylococcus aureus, candida albicans, periodontal pathogens, and E. coli were listed as the greatest offenders in her subsequent remarks.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the term “mutans streptococci” refers to a collection of seven closely related species of spherical bacteria.
The mouth, pharynx (throat), and intestine are S. mutans’ three main habitats. They [have] a number of things, such adhesion to enamel surfaces. Due to its ability to stick to plaque bacteria, Streptococcus mutans plays a significant role in the etiology (cause) of dental caries (cavities). After six to 24 months, tooth decay typically occurs after streptococcus mutans is found in dental cavities, according to an online article from a medical publication.
Khan highlighted to Newsweek why our neglect of our toothbrushes might cause this specific bacterium to thrive and turn into a hotbed of dental health issues.
“We clean the bacteria-filled plaque off of our teeth; part of it even stays on the toothbrush after washing. While we are healthy, we can usually fight off infections while maintaining good dental hygiene and with the help of our immune system; however, this only becomes a big problem if we have a damaged immune system and a considerable overgrowth of harmful bacteria,” she said.
The co-founder of the probiotic mouthwash Riven Oral Care and the medical reviewer for the dental care website Tooth Truth Today advise people to take a number of precautions to ward off any bacteria that might be harmful in the long run, such as moving their toothbrush’s standing position or letting it air dry after use.
“Stay as far away from the toilet as you can with your toothbrush. Additionally, she advised closing the toilet lid after flushing to prevent E. coli bacteria from migrating from your excrement to your toothbrush.
“Make sure you are replacing your toothbrush head every three months and that you are visiting your dentist regularly to prevent overgrowth of the streptococcus mutans and periodontal pathogens.”
“I would recommend using a fresh toothbrush to stop the old pathogens from inoculating back in your mouth if your gums were bleeding due to gingivitis or periodontitis after having a proper cleaning by your dentist,” she added.
Khan continued by advising people to carefully wash their toothbrushes after using them and then only let them dry naturally in the open air. Why? Given that a damp atmosphere is optimal for harmful germs to flourish
