Despite the toothbrush being the tool you use to remove dirt and
debris from your teeth, you do need to also regularly clean your toothbrush.
How often you do this is ultimately up to you.
I give my brush, particularly the brush head a quick rinse after almost every use.
My wife on the other hand takes a different approach, and the results show.
In this video I will give my top tips on how to keep your electric toothbrush
clean and prolong the usable life you get from it.
Hey, it’s Jon from Electric Teeth here.
The instructions given on how to clean your brush do vary slightly. Always consult the
recommendations your brush manufacturer gives, but for the most part the advice is similar.
After each use it is advised that you rinse the brush head
under running water, with the handle switched on.
Turn off the brush, remove the head and clean both the head and handle separately.
In most instances both the head and handle can be rinsed thoroughly under water.
The force of the water helps dislodge and remove bacteria
and debris from the bristles and the handle.
Oral-B specifically states that you should make sure water runs inside the brush head.
This is because their heads have holes that debris can get into.
Philips Sonicare and manufacturers of sonic toothbrushes don’t typically advise
rinsing inside the head after every use. This is because there are less chances for debris to get
inside. But they do want you to thoroughly rinse the bristles and base of the head.
It is then always advised to wipe them dry before reassembling and
ideally leaving brush heads detached, so the inside of the head can dry completely.
Although it is not always explicitly stated, I do believe as part of the cleaning process,
the companies might expect you to use a damp cloth to help remove more
stubborn dirt. They don’t expect you to use any soaps or cleaning agents.
Different brushes come with different accessories.
Charging stands can usually be wiped clean with a damp cloth only,
providing they have been disconnected from the power.
Some accessories can potentially be placed in a dishwasher, whilst others will be wipe clean only.
Most manufacturers are quite good at including specific instructions where appropriate.
You should never place the toothbrush, the brush head itself,
or electrical components in a dishwasher.
And don’t use the microwave.
A noteworthy point is that the water used for rinsing
should be lukewarm and certainly not boiling hot.
Over the years I have been using electric brushes,
I have found this approach to be pretty good and my brushes stay clean if I keep up such a routine.
For those watching who have a toothbrush like my wife’s,
that haven’t been rinsed off quite so regularly there might be a need
to use some extra tools to remove the more stubborn gunk that has built-up.
There is no one perfect tool for the job.
Warm water and a cloth are surprisingly effective, particularly with a bit of elbow grease thrown in.
A cotton bud, qtip and even a toothpick can be useful for getting in harder to
reach areas and for assisting in removing harder baked in grime.
Just be very cautious about using stuff with pointed ends as this can damage materials.
Another old toothbrush is an incredibly effective
tool to get into those hard to reach areas, as are interdental brushes.
You do not need a specialised toothbrush cleaner.
It isn’t generally advised, but if you are aware of the potential risks you
can use a mild detergent.
To really get your brush head clean, inside as well as out I like to give the head a
good rinse under water, allowing the water to get inside the shaft of the head too.
I then give the head a few firm taps on the sink.
You might be amazed at what comes out. Repeat this a couple of times.
Do not knock your brush handle on any surfaces, this will likely damage it.
For those who want to go to the next level,
you can look at using a UV sanitizer. Designed primarily for the brush heads only,
this helps ensure that almost all the germs and bacteria are killed off.
Few brushes actually come with a UV sanitizer, but there are some third party aftermarket options.
Philips Sonicare does make one.
Perhaps surprisingly the American Dental Association
doesn’t think they are essential. They say:
Although studies have shown that various microorganisms can grow on toothbrushes
after use, and other studies have examined various methods to reduce the level of these
bacteria, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support that bacterial growth
on toothbrushes will lead to specific adverse oral or systemic health effects.
I don’t personally do this, but I know some people will actually soak their brush heads
in mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide. Others use a combination of water, vinegar and baking soda.
One study has suggested that there may well be benefit from soaking in mouthwash, but the
American Dental Association has yet to see any clinical evidence for the benefit of doing this.
Placing a brush in boiling water is another technique some use as the high temperature
may help cleanse and kill off some strains of bacteria. It is not a
proven technique and may actually negatively affect your brush head.
Almost as important as cleaning the brush is drying it.
Towel drying will speed up the process, but it is good to let it air dry thoroughly too. This
drying process reduces the chance of bacteria and mold building up.
I’ve found that keeping the head detached from the handle returns the best results.
Some additional tips:
Store your brush upright position
Avoid routinely covering or storing brush heads in closed containers
Regularly clean travel cases or storage containers.
Avoid different toothbrushes coming into contact with each other. If your
toothbrush lives in a holder with other family members brushes, try to keep them separated.
Take extra precautions during times of illness. Storing your brush away from others
or potentially replacing the head sooner. Store away from the likes of toilets
Although not directly related to the cleaning of the brush itself, some other useful info is:
Remember to replace the brush head approximately every 3 months, sooner if there are obvious signs
of wear. Bristles become worn and clean your teeth less effectively when used for extended periods.
Avoid brushing with too much force. This wears the bristles down quicker
and can damage teeth and gums. Don’t share a toothbrush.
Ultimately it is sensible to keep your brush clean.
The mouth is a gateway into your body and bacteria can reside on your brush
and the brush head so it does not hurt to keep your brush clean.
It does to make the next cleaning session easier,
if you haven’t left it so long. Not to mention it can genuinely prolong the life of your brush.
There are many variables to factor in,
but anecdotal evidence would suggest those that regularly clean their brush are less
likely to see parts such as rubber grips and seal degrade as quickly.
In fact many brushes in recent years have reduced the amount of additional
materials on the brush handles, sticking to plastic and metals.
I am sure this is to help with cleaning and longevity in addition to aesthetics.