How Do You Store Your Tooth Brush?

Updated on March 07, 2011
M.D. asks from Rockport, TX
11 answers

I know this one is probably weird but.... Toothbrushes in the bathroom just gross me out! I cant find a way to store them that feels "clean". In a counter toothbrush holder the cup part gets nasty and they are open to the bathroom air and it just seems gross. In a cabinet or medicine cabinet seems yuck too! My kids cant ever seem to get their tb rinsed completely either- YUCK!!
I am thinking about getting travel TB holders and keeping them in that? Or a plastic pencil box for each person and they get their own toothpaste too- they can keep their own boxes clean. Does this bother anyone else? Where do you keep toothbrushes?

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the great info. I think I am going with the animal head covers- Very cute and clean!

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S.F.

answers from Utica on

I too use a toothbrush holder that Scarlett is refering to but I allow mine to sit out in the air. Leaving it enclosed to try and prevent the 'bathroom air' is not such a good idea as dampness creates a breeding ground for more bacteria to grow. I just stick the holder to the mirror as far away from the toilet as I can and I stick them upright so that the brush/brisol part can dry out. My holder gets a bit nasty too so I just rinse it out with soap and water once a week with my regular bathroom cleaning
Good Luck

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S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

Bothered the heck out of me so I asked this same question on here months ago. Thanks to one of the moms, I found a holder that closes around the toothbrush and has suction cups that attach to your mirror. I clean those holders weekly with vinegar. Below are a couple of links for what I am referring to. Good luck!

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetai...

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/hooks/suctionCupH...

2 moms found this helpful
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S.O.

answers from Rapid City on

I've seen (haven't purchased one yet but I plan to) tooth brush holders that use UVlight to sanitize them. I've seen them at Target and here is a link to one manufacturer.
http://violight.com/

1 mom found this helpful

T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

I keep mine in the holder on the counter, but I got these things at Bed,Bath,and Beyond called "Steripod." They clip over the head of your toothbrush and sterilizes your toothbrush while protecting it from the elements. Google it, they're pretty cool!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

In a holder. We close the lid before flushing AND our toilet is around a corner from the counter. I'm good with that.

N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

There have been news stories recently about the germs that get on such items when kept out in a bathroom. When you flush a toilet, the water particles actually "swirl" about the air in the bathroom and get ONTO things like your toothbrush.

Also, replace your toothbrush every time you are sick! My old old family Dr taught us that! Thanks Dr. Grant! I have over-sensitive teeth, so can't use a Sonic care (hubby does). Just regular old brushes for me and my teen daughter. We get the multi packs at Sams Club usually, so we always have extras. I brush alot (sort of anal about it like handwashing), so I replace mine about once a month anyways.

This is taken from WebMd

Don't share toothbrushes.
Make sure everyone has their own toothbrush by color-coding them, Schachter says. "Don't let your toothbrush make contact with any other toothbrushes stored in the same holder either. Germs can be passed along that way," he says. "A good rule of thumb is to keep them at least an inch apart." Replace your toothbrush regularly after you've had any illness such as a cold or flu because germs can remain even after you've recovered. Here's why: When you brush, you remove plaque and particles so toothbrushes can become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva, and oral debris. This contamination can be passed right back to you.

Always flush with the lid down.
According to Charles Gerba, PhD, a professor of microbiology at University of Arizona in Tucson, flushing the toilet with the lid up is not wise. "Polluted water vapor erupts out of the flushing toilet bowl and it can take several hours for these particles to finally settle -- not to mention where," he says. "If you have your toothbrush too close to the toilet, you are brushing your teeth with what's in your toilet."

I personally store mine is a drawer. Hubby has a drawer, and I have my own. Teen daughter has her own as well...downstairs in her bathroom. All sperate, and away from toilet swirling water particles! Ishy!

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C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I'm "blessed" with having TMJ and need to wear a retainer at night. I put all that stuff in denture cleaner, rinse and let it air dry. Most days the toothbrush never gets put away in the cabinet. :(

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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

We keep our regular tooth brushes in a mug next to the bathroom sink. When we travel I put those plastic protectors over the bristle part. Then every week I run the mugs through the dishwasher. I can't stand those store bought tooth brush holders with little holes....the bottom gets nasty and is so unsanitary. I also run out toohtbrushes through the dishwasher.

Our electric toothbrushes get cleaned in this infared machine that came with it. My husband manages that part.

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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

We stand all of ours up in a cup together. I run them through the dishwasher about once a week to disinfect them and we replace them every 3 months, unless they start to 'fray' sooner.

G.T.

answers from Modesto on

We keep our in the shower caddy, have for years. I prefer brushing in the shower, it saves on the sink mess. I do have toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet as well, just laying on a paper towel for sink use.

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J.T.

answers from Austin on

I keep my toothbrush upside down in a glass filled with hydrogen peroxide. It kills germs and also doesn't allow any germs to get on my brush since it's inside the filled glass. I change out the peroxide weekly since I'm pretty sure the solution has been "compromised" by the end of the week.

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