I read that dentists recommend this in a book.
2006-12-25 16:34:03 · 14 answers · asked by dtshaff 3 in Health ➔ Dental
Six feet of separation is impossible in many small bathrooms. My microbiology professor taught us that our digestive tract has an opening on each end, and that the toothbrush usually goes in the one with more bacteria.
For healthy people with healthy immune systems, the minute amount of bacteria growing on toothbrushes is not a documented problem. If bacteria from toilets could significantly affect your health, we'd have massive e. coli outbreaks. The only way I could conceive of getting an infectious amount of bacteria from a toilet is to dip your toothbrush in it. It may splash out, but it doesn't aerosolize.
If you have a severely compromised immune system (like from transplant surgery or HIV) bacteria on your toothbrush may be a concern. Here are some commonsense things you can do :
1) keep your toilet clean, and keep the lid down when you're not doing it.
2) wipe down all sink and counter surfaces at least once a week. Lysol is an excellent surface disinfectant.
3) fix all leaks and drips in your bathroom to cut down on mold and mildew formation
4) shake your toothbrush as dry as possible after each use, then store in a clean holder, medicine cabinet or in a drawer.
2006-12-25 17:30:49 · answer #1 · answered by theSimpleTooth 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If I'm not mistaken, it's actually recommended that you put your toothbrush away so that it is not in the open due to bacteria. I think the further away from the toilet the better. Whatever the advice is, it's always good to replace your toothbrush regularly. That may help a little.
2006-12-25 16:38:48 · answer #2 · answered by babyzach2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, its true. Im not sure about the distance though, but definitely keep your tooth brush covered, in the cupboard perhaps. When u flush the toilet it does spray up into the air by a few metres and the droplets containing bacteria such as Escheria Coli from faeces do float about until they settle. Thats why YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CLOSE THE LID BEFORE YOU FLUSH. Thats a pet peeve in my house- i get very upset with people if they dont do that.
2006-12-25 19:24:01 · answer #3 · answered by <3 <3 <3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bacteria are airborne, you should actually keep your toothbrush covered underneath the sink or in a drawer so it is not exposed to any of the airborne bacteria harboring in the bathrooms- like mold? You can also disinfect your toothbrush by soaking it in Listerine in a little cup or other antiseptic mouthwashes.
2006-12-25 16:36:20 · answer #4 · answered by mac 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't really matter where you put your toothbrush, there's E-coli and bacteria everywhere. The only way you can have a sterile toothbrush is if you use a new one everytime you brush. Don't worry about it too much though. You'll live :)
2006-12-25 16:45:19 · answer #5 · answered by sansa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! and you should not store the toothbrush in those plastic containers or covers they breed bacteria.
2006-12-25 17:15:13 · answer #6 · answered by cheryl j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How fortunate dentists are to earn so much dough that they can afford huge homes with five 20 square foot bathrooms...
An apartment bathroom is almost never six feet in length..in mine, you would need to put your toothbruth out in the hallway...I'm not gonna sweat it and nor should you.
2006-12-25 16:40:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep this is true when you flush the water droplets spray in the room unless the lid is down
also peroxide your toothbrush once a week kills the germs left on them You won't belive how they bubble with germs.
2006-12-25 16:37:18 · answer #8 · answered by dianehaggart 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I watched this on "How Clean is Your House?"
If you don't wanna keep it away, close the lid of the toilet.
2006-12-25 17:18:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i usually put in a cabinet or we put the toothbrush covers on them.
2006-12-25 16:41:23 · answer #10 · answered by spongebob fan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋