THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES
The UK’s Oral Health
Foundation believes roughly two thirds of us are using an electric toothbrush
to clean our teeth. Electric toothbrushes are great for effective cleaning, but
have you ever seen how much gunk builds up inside them?
Our mouths contain billions of
bacteria so even with the finest toothpaste on Earth, we still need to give our
toothbrushes a thorough rinse before putting them back in the cupboard. Unfortunately,
this is where electric toothbrushes need a bit more TLC to stop them getting
mouldy. Luckily, we’ve got some tips to help you keep that brush hygienic and
fresh.
Why do electric
toothbrushes get so mouldy?
Most of the bacteria left on
our brushes after cleaning need moisture to survive so when a toothbrush dries
out, the bacteria tend to die off pretty quick. But unlike the old-fashioned
version, your electric toothbrush has a bunch of little nooks and crannies that
will keep bacteria moist and cosy. Bacteria will collect anywhere that water
can get into the brush; think inside the head, where the head meets the handle
or even inside the handle itself. If bacteria are not cleaned out, they’ll wait
there quite happily, growing mould for you to pop back into your mouth – yuck!
How to properly clean an
electric toothbrush
Make sure you remove the
toothbrush head and any other detachable pieces, give them all a thorough clean
and let them dry individually rather than keeping them together. This will
allow as much airflow through the components as possible, so the bacteria have
nowhere moist to hide. Avoid excessively hot water as it could damage the
bristles and don’t forget to clean off the charging stand if it’s looking
grubby. And don’t forget to clean inside the toothbrush head, if you can see
any visible mould inside the head, chuck it out and get a new one.
How to stop mould building
up inside your toothbrush
Getting right into the tiny
crevices in your toothbrush head is virtually impossible so make a point of soaking
the brush head in a mild antiseptic solution at least once a week instead. For
obvious reasons you’ll need a liquid cleaner that’s safe for use in the mouth so
something like MGS
Mouthwash Tablets from our Dr Denti Home Use range would be perfect. As a
cheeky bonus MGS Mouthwash Tablets have even been lab-tested as 99.9% effective
as Covid-19, killing the virus in just 30 seconds. So if your toothbrush has
any Covid contaminants a quick soak should kill them off, that’s one less thing
to worry about!
MGS Mouthwash Tablets are used in both clinical and domestic settings. For home use you can find them as part of the Dr Denti brand in your local store or pharmacy. If you’re buying for your dental clinic or hospital, you can order them in bulk through your usual suppliers.