Mum blasted for “improperly” storing her toothbrush
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Every morning and every night, it’s a routine for us to head to the bathroom, grab our toothbrushes, and brush our teeth. We’ve all learnt this since childhood, ever since we were taught about hygiene. Regular brushing will keep our teeth and gums in good shape.
But did you know that when it comes to cleaning our teeth, regular brushing, doing gentle up-and-down motions, and choosing the right toothpaste is not enough?
Turns out, we also have to consider where we store our toothbrushes as well.
Take this one mum for example.
Many users pointed out how her toothbrush is “too close” to the toilet. Credit: Facebook.
While many fellow group members agreed that the artwork looks amazing and it fits the aesthetics of her bathroom wall perfectly, they also pointed out an “alarming” issue the mum seemed to have missed.
By placing her toothbrush and oral hygiene kit on a shelf above the toilet, she is exposing them to airborne germs and particles that may fly out whenever she flushes the toilet.
“Eww, the open toothbrush literally right next to your toilet,” wrote one user.
“Move the toothbrushes!” suggested another.
“Toilet plume” is the term used to call the cloud of microscopic particles, including bacteria from urine and feces, that sprays into the air and onto surrounding surfaces when you flush the toilet.
And while we agree that keeping your toothbrushes near your toilet area may seem kind of gross, hygiene experts are saying that there is no solid evidence that toilet plumes can harm you.
According to Dr Amesh Adalja, a board-certified infectious disease and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, as long as you’re not storing your toothbrush in an obviously filthy place (like on your bathroom floor or literally on your toilet), you’ll be fine.
“For the most part, it makes no difference where one stores a toothbrush,” he said.
“It is important to remember that your toothbrush will never be sterile because whatever environment it is placed in will have microorganisms that will settle upon it.”
Also, scientists don’t have evidence of loads of people actually getting sick from toilet plumes, let alone from using toilet plume-coated toothbrushes.
So instead of worrying about where you store your toothbrush, just make sure they’re always clean instead! Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Never share your toothbrush with anyone, even family members!
- Always rinse it well after every use, making sure no leftover toothpaste or food particles are left.
- Do not let anyone else’s toothbrush head touch yours. If several toothbrushes are in one container, do not let their heads touch. Or better yet, store them in different containers altogether.
- Replace your toothbrush at least every three to four months. Once the bristles become visibly frayed, it’s time to swap it out for a new one.
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