How to Keep Your Toothbrush Clean

Your Turlock dentist Cesar Acosta tells you how to prevent germs from lingering on your toothbrush.

Hopefully everyone out there is spending enough time taking care of their smiles even when they aren’t sitting in their dentist’s chair. While brushing and flossing is a normal part of most people’s day, do you ever consider the state and health of your toothbrush? After all, how clean can it really get your smile if it’s not that clean itself? Here are some of the best ways to keep your toothbrush clean and lasting for months.

  • After each use, be sure to thoroughly rinse your toothbrush with water. This will help to remove any toothpaste and germs that are lingering. When not in use, always store the toothbrush upright so that it can air dry. If there is more than one toothbrush in your bathroom, be sure to store them separately from one another so as not to cross-contaminate.
  • Do not cover your toothbrushes! While some of the electric toothbrush heads come with little plastic covers, you don’t want to cover your toothbrush after use. Moist environments will only increase the production of bacteria and other germs on your toothbrush, which could even cause illness. Therefore, stick to open air when it comes to storing your toothbrush.
  • Know when to replace your toothbrush. Most of the time it will need to be replaced every three or four months. You will know when it’s time for a new toothbrush, as the old one will have worn out and frayed bristles. Keep in mind that children’s toothbrushes often need to be replaced more frequently than adults.
  • Don’t share! While this might seem rather obvious, sharing toothbrushes also means you could be sharing bacteria, which leaves you prone to infection. Therefore, it’s always best to play it safe and keep your toothbrush for your mouth only.
  • While some patients do opt for toothbrush sanitizers, no studies have found any positive or negative effects from using this product on oral health.


At-home dental care is extremely important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums; however, it doesn’t just stop there. You also need to be seeing your dentist regularly. If it’s time to schedule your routine cleaning, then give Cesar Acosta, your Turlock dentist, a call today. After all, your biannual checkups are a great way to ensure that your oral care regime is up to par.

Cesar Acosta DMD, Family Dentistry

1065 Colorado Ave Suite 3

Turlock, CA 95380 US

(209) 250-2560