toothbrush

College Students Should be Weary of Bacteria Near their Toothbrush

by

An interesting study suggests that there is transmission of fecal coliforms in communal bathrooms at a university and that a toothbrush can serve as transmitting the pathogenic organisms. The problem is when there is fecal matter on your toothbrush from someone else which contains bacteria or parasites that are not part of your normal flora. In the study toothbrushes were collected from those using communal bathrooms with around 9.4 occupants per bathroom. Regardless of how the toothbrush was stored at least 60% were found to have fecal coliforms. There was an 80% chance that the fecal colifroms on the toothbrushes did not belong to their owner and came from another person using the same bathroom. The authors of the study note that using a toothbrush cover does not protect the toothbrush from bacteria growth and instead creates an environment where bacteria … Read more

Keeping the Germs Off Your Toothbrush

by

Kayla Holiday writes for 1Dental.com, which offers discount dental plans nationwide. She enjoys keeping people up to date on dental news and helping them save money on dental care. A toothbrush is a very important part of any dental hygiene routine. Toothbrushes are key in removing plaque from the surface of your teeth, even in hard to reach areas. However, your toothbrush could also be key in causing illness and stimulating bacterial growth in your mouth, depending on how well you’re taking care of it. Germs are on every surface. They are always present. Your toothbrush is especially vulnerable to housing germs as it contains both the plaque from your teeth, and it typically rests in the least sanitary room in the house—the bathroom. Airborne germs from the toilet or unwashed hands touching items near your toothbrush could all be … Read more

How to Prevent Gum Disease and Cavities

by

The following is a Guest Post by Dr. Richard Mitchell who has been a dentist for over 30 years and has experience in 6 different countries. Dr. Richard Mitchell has a website with excellent dental advice at  dental-health-advice.com It’s impossible to guarantee problem-free teeth,  but you can stack the odds in your favor by following a short routine each day! FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY. That’s all it takes to really make a difference.  Can you find 15 minutes? Here’s a bonus. You don’t have to spend those fifteen minutes in the bathroom – with a little practice,  you can do most of the work sitting on the couch watching TV! OK,  what are the things to do? First of all,  don’t worry about the brand of toothbrush.  Like Lance Armstrong said,  “it’s not the bike”.  When we’re talking about getting … Read more