When you buy a new toothbrush, you need to take care of the basics. Don’t take for granted that it is already clean and disinfected; remember, it went through machinery before reaching your hands. That’s why disinfecting a new toothbrush is definitely a step you want to consider if you care about your oral health.
Moreover, if you have some time now with your toothbrush, or for some reason you suspect it is not clean anymore, disinfecting through boiling is also a good idea. But how long to boil your toothbrush to get rid of bacteria?
How long to boil your toothbrush
It’s important always to wash your brushes, as bacteria can build up in the bristles, leaving them unhygienic and potentially dangerous. Boiling your toothbrush will kill any bacteria that may be present on its surface, especially the bristle brush that comes in contact with your mouth. It also helps keep your brushes cleaner, which is a step you want to take every now and then, depending on your bathroom environment and other aspects you might want to consider.
You can either boil your toothbrush for 3 minutes or 5 minutes. To do that, you don’t need to bring the whole thing to a boil, just like you do with food. It would be too hard on the toothbrush and the plastic surface may even melt when it contacts the pot’s metal.
Instead, follow these steps:
- Bring water to a boil, and, after it starts boiling, wait 10 minutes
- Pour water into a heat-resistant container along with your toothbrush
- Wait for 3 to 5 minutes and remove toothbrush (more extended periods may damage your brush)
- Gently squeeze the bristles with a clean cloth to get rid of excess water
- Let it rest and cool down before using it again
Other methods you can try to disinfect your toothbrush
Most of the time, there is no harm in just rinsing the brush under cold water and leaving it to dry. If you feel that the brush is too moist, it is better to rinse it in lukewarm water and leave it to dry out. If you feel it is not clean enough and have the time, it is always a good idea to boil the brush and leave it to cool down or use an alternative method:
- Use mouthwash on the bristle brush
- Use a UV sanitizer
- Use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the bristle brush and the toothbrush holder
These will allow the disinfection of the bristles of the toothbrush and the holder without risking any permanent damage.
Conclusion
Boiling your toothbrush for 3 to 5 minutes is usually enough to kill bacteria and other pathogens. However, it can be a bit too harsh on your toothbrush, especially if you buy a soft bristle brush for sensitive teeth. In these cases, you can take an alternative disinfection technique, such as using your mouthwash on the bristle brush, using a UV sanitizer or cleaning it regularly with hydrogen peroxide.
