Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Health Note - That Toothbrush of yours

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, 

3 John1:2

Don't Brush Where You Flush

Most bathrooms are small. And in many homes, the toilet is pretty close to the bathroom sink where you keep your toothbrush. Every toilet flush sends a spray of bacteria into the air. And you don't want the toilet spray anywhere near your open toothbrush.
"You don't store your plates and glasses by the toilet, so why would you want to place your toothbrush there?" McCombs says. "It's just common sense to store your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible."


Toothbrush Holders

Toothbrush holders, often due to their close proximity to toilets, pick up bacteria that swirl through the air after the toilet is flushed. And they are frequently overlooked when cleaning the bathroom, according to study researcher Rob Donofrio, director of Microbiology at NSF International. That's odd, considering that the study participants ranked toothbrush holders as the place most likely to harbor germs.

Toothbrush Storage Tips

Once you've moved your toothbrush away from the toilet, here are a few other storage tips to keep your brush as germ-free as possible:
  • Keep it rinsed. Wash off your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water every time you use it.
  • Keep it dry. "Bacteria love a moist environment," Harms says. Make sure your brush has a chance to dry thoroughly between brushings. Avoid using toothbrush covers, which can create a moist enclosed breeding ground for bacteria.
  • Keep it upright. Store your toothbrush upright in a holder, rather than lying it down.
  • Keep it to yourself. No matter how close you are to your spouse, or roommate, don't ever use their toothbrush. Don't even store your toothbrush side-by-side in the same cup with other people's brushes.
  • Whenever toothbrushes touch, they can swap germs.  Medicine.Net