Our Dental Hygiene Blog

Basics of storing your toothbrush – there’s more to it than you think! 

If you are like most people when you travel, you probably just store your toothbrush on the counter, correct? Or, if you are at your home, you probably plop your toothbrush together with other family members and roommates’ toothbrushes, right? Sometimes you probably store it in a cabinet, thinking that it will protect your toothbrush from insects and other harmful creatures.  Unfortunately, you are forgetting about the dark and damp environment that a cabinet offers, which is otherwise known as an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Yes, whether we like to accept it or not, we all do this. This is something we have to stop doing because it is a very easy way of contracting oral diseases and other contagious viral infections.  Experts recommend storing your toothbrush in an aerated and ventilated environment to let your toothbrush ‘breathe’ but at the same time having it covered so that insets cannot deposit their excrements and other waste.  

So with this helpful information in mind we did some research to find out some products out there. Here are some products that we found online, and a short review based on the criteria outlined above: 

1. Toothbrush Holders – open top, with openings to drop your toothbrush, and a center opening for your toothpaste

Good: There is a place to store your toothpaste, so that it doesn’t smear all over your counter topBad: None of the criteria above is addressed – toothbrush head is exposed to insects, water drips down and create mold and mildew, and the toothbrush may be in contact with the other toothbrushesAvailability: Amazon, eBay, Yahoo! Shopping, MSN Shopping, Vitafura, etc.Price: $12.99 & up 

1. MyFlipper Toothbrush Holder – over 30 different animal designs, including a cute line of puppies and dinosaurs for your kids

Good: Addresses all of the criteria listed above – toothbrush head is covered, vents on the sides for the water to evaporate, sticks on a mirror through suction cups, travel friendly and fun designs. The design also allows the holder to open and close automatically after the first time. Bad: Only animal designs, and ironically no aquatic animals. Availability: www.myflipperusa.com & eBayPrice: $3.99 – 6.99 

1. Happy Suction Toothbrush – comes in a handy two pack, smiley face toothbrush holder

Good: Addresses all of the criteria listed above – the smiley face creates vents, has a flip open design (also happens automatically), comes in a smiley face, sticks on mirror through a suction cupBad: Only smiley faces, not all toothbrushes fit in designAvailability: eBay, Amazon, and brick and mortar storesPrice: $2.99-5.79 

So folks, take this advice, and store your toothbrush in a clean and hygienic environment. As you can see, for relatively cheap you can save yourself a whole lot of trouble and ensure you have a clean and crisp mouth!