TOOTHBRUSH BACTERIA

Fill the bottom of a cup with some hydrogen peroxide and some water. Put your bristles into the solution and shake it around. The hydrogen solution is a natural disinfectant and will kill bacteria on your bristles.

Before applying your favorite toothpaste, rinse your toothbrush with water. If you want a natural whitening effect, you can apply your toothpaste without rinsing your brush. The hydrogen peroxide will naturally help to whiten your teeth.

Dentists say that millions of germs live in our mouths all the time and sterilizing is fine, but not necessary. The American Dental Association recommends that brushes be air dried nightly and replaced every two months.

If you cannot afford to buy a toothbrush sanitizer you can just replace your toothbrush frequently. It's true that toilet water can spatter on nearby toothbrushes, so avoid storing them near the toilet.

Each time we brush our teeth we are inserting germs which have been flourishing on our toothbrush. These bugs are often the major cause of recurring infections, colds and gingivitis. "Food and water becomes the source for bacteria to feed upon," says Dr. Richard T. Glass, D.D.S., PhD., professor emeritus of oral pathology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Glass, a top research authority on toothbrush hygiene, has studied the relationship between illness and toothbrushes for the past 15 years.

1. Ensure that everyone in your family has their own colour-coded toothbrush to avoid cross-contamination. Don't share or borrow a toothbrush.

2. Use a soft-bristled brush, advises Dr. Glass. This will be the easiest on your gums.

3. Change your toothbrush every two weeks or four weeks at the most. Toss out your toothbrush after any illness and if you drop it on the floor.

4. Use a small-headed, less densely-bristled toothbrush. Buy a translucent or light-coloured handle preferably, as it's been found to harbour fewer germs than opaque-hued -- possibly because bacteria thrive in dark spaces.

5. Don't store your toothbrush in the bathroom. The bedroom is usually the cleanest room in the house.

6. Always use a new toothbrush when travelling. From hotel rooms to suitcases, toothbrushes are in contact with many surfaces and are prone to more germs.

7. You can buy ultraviolet-light sterilizers designed specifically for toothbrush sterilization. They are a bit pricey and may not be necessary for a healthy person.

8. It is better to buy cheap toothbrushes and not feel guilty throwing them out, than to buy an expensive one that you'll keep and possibly compromise your health with.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the nasty "bugs" that you brush off of your teeth? The truth may surprise you. Many of the bacteria, fungi, and viruses actually remain on your toothbrush! So the next time you use a contaminated toothbrush, remember that the infectious microorganisms remaining on the brush can reinfect your mouth and teeth again! Some of the microorganisms can even spread to the rest of your body.

SOME OF THE MICROORGANISMS REMAINING ON TOOTHBRUSHES:
1. Mutans streptococcus - the main bacterium causing dental caries.
2. Beta-hemolytic streptococcus - the main bacterium causing strep throat (pharyngotonsillitis).
3. Candida albicans - the main fungus causing thrush in babies.
4. Coliform bacteria - these are found in the bathroom.
5. Herpes simplex virus - they causes cold sores.

WHO IS AT RISK?
Children or adults with an oral infection, such as dental caries.
Family members related to a child or adult with an oral infection.
Immunologically compromised children or adults.
Children or adults who are undergoing chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, or organ transplant procedures.

1. Teeth can carry the infection-producing bacteria deep into the supporting jaw bone - via the outer root surfaces and inner canals of the dental roots.
2. Once bacteria have spread to the outer surface of the tooth's roots (periapical/interradicular area), the infection will spread along the path of least resistance.
3. The most common dental infection in children is the dental abscess, which is less serious than facial cellulitis. The dental abscess is often localized in the area of the mouth where the cheek meets the gums (the oral vestibule).