Project Clean Toothbrush Offers Important Tips to Help Prevent the Spread of Flu Germs

Project Clean Toothbrush Offers Important Tips to Help Prevent the Spread of Flu Germs

The Maryland Children’s Oral Health Institute launched an offensive against the common cold, seasonal viruses including H1N1 driven by an infection control initiative titled Project Clean Toothbrush: Important Tips to Help Prevent the Spread of Flu Germs. The initiative is designed as a printable poster with illustrations that demonstrate ways to clean, decontaminate, disinfect and sanitize a toothbrush.

These tips are designed to offer information that will minimize the risk of illness resulting from repeatedly using virus-contaminated toothbrushes.

Following is the complete list of recommendations:

• Hands are the main vehicles of transmission for the influenza virus. It is for this reason that the main recommendation to prevent H1N1 is to wash hands frequently. Use soap and water, liquid hand sanitizer or pre-moistened hand wipes to remove the germs that congregate on your hands. Washing hands for a minimum of 20 seconds before touching a toothbrush will cut down on the bacteria being introduced to the handle and bristles from palms and fingers. The bacteria that cause gastronintestinal problems,  E. coli and salmonella are found on the hands. Many of these bacteria can be removed by washing hands and scrubbing fingernails.

• Washing hands after brushing is important. This hygiene practice will help reduce the spread of microorganisms as a result of the contact made with hands, face, lips and mouth. Washing hands after brushing will reduce what an individual “hands over” to others.

• Wash a toothbrush before and after every use. Hold the brush under running warm water. The warm water will soften the bristles and help to release food particles and excess toothpaste. Rub the thumb over the bristles with force while now allowing cold water to wash away any remaining debris and toothpaste. The cold water will cause the toothbrush bristles to regain firmness and may limit the reproduction of flu-causing germs.
 
• Disinfect a toothbrush by allowing it to soak in an antibacterial mouthwash. Stir it with the bristled end of the toothbrush for 30 seconds. Mouthwash containing alcohol will kill off most of the bacteria. Also, 2 teaspoons of baking soda can be mixed in 1 cup of water to soak the toothbrush if mouthwash is not available.

• Another option is to store the toothbrush in a 3% H2O2 topical solution that is changed daily. Using enough of the solution to cover the bristles can keep toothbrush disinfected. A quick way is to mix 1 teaspoon of peroxide in 1 cup of water and swish toothbrush in it prior to use.

• Soaking a toothbrush in vinegar once a week overnight can also help kill germs. White vinegar is preferable; brown vinegar might stain the bristles.

• Using a tablet of denture cleanser is another quick way to sanitize your toothbrush. Denture cleansers contain detergents and enzymes that aid in the breakdown of food proteins. The effervescent or foaming action provides a mechanical cleaning action to loosen particles trapped between the bristles.  Be sure to thoroughly rinse the denture cleaner from the toothbrush bristles and handle.

• Deep clean a toothbrush by securing it in the top rack or in the silverware rack of the dishwasher. Avoid putting the toothbrushes in the lower rack as the handles could melt. The same applies to tongue scrapers. It is also a good idea to routinely decontaminate a dental water jet reservoir and the tips in the dishwasher. Just don’t use the dishwasher setting for the pots and pans wash cycle as it may prove to be too hot.

• Avoid side-by-side storage of toothbrushes. Toothbrushes should be kept inches apart. Every family member should have a clearly identifiable, color-coded brush to avoid cross contamination. Store toothbrushes upright to expose bristles to the air.
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• Keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible to cut down on airborne bacteria from waste. Every flush propels the germs from the toilet into the air where they can land on toothbrushes. These fine droplets of toilet water can hover in the air for as long as 2 hours, eventually settling on all surfaces throughout the bathroom. Always flush the toilet with the top lid closed.

• Replace a toothbrush at the first sign of bent bristles. Worn toothbrushes have bristles with broken, frayed and sometimes sharp edges. These brushes are less effective in removing plaque and can damage the gums, even causing bleeding. Dental professionals recommend replacing toothbrushes every season, every quarter or every 3 to 4 months.

• Air-dry a toothbrush by shaking the excess water from the bristles. Running thumb or finger across the bristles will also help to remove the water.

• Clean toothbrush covers with soap and water. Covers should be placed over the bristles of a dry toothbrush when possible. Plastic covers that fit over bristles keep them free of airborne or hand-held contamination.

• Frequently clean the toothbrush holder with soap and water. Wall mounted toothbrush holders, as well as cups, cans and stands should be wiped down using disposable wipes to remove germs. Establish a routine of wiping down the countertop in front of and around the sink where brushing has occurred; this tidy routine will remove toothpaste-filled saliva droplets. By no means should globs of toothpaste remain in the sink after brushing.

• Purchasing toothpaste in a pump dispenser can help to eliminate the inclusion of every household member’s germs becoming one more ingredient in the family tube. Almost everyone makes direct contact with their toothbrush when they squirt toothpaste onto it. Hold the brush away from the tip of the pump. This can help to reduce the chances that contact will be made between the toothpaste and the toothbrush.

• Consider dispensing the dentifrice onto the back of the hand as another way to eliminate contact between the toothbrush bristles and toothpaste being squeezed from the tube. Remember the first recommendation prior to brushing your teeth is to wash hands. Squeeze a pea size amount of the toothpaste on the back of a clean hand. It’s okay if the tube or pump makes slight contact with freshly sanitized skin. Sweep the toothpaste off your hand with the bristles and then brush. The little bit of toothpaste remaining on the back of the hand will help you to remember to wash them again when finished brushing. Don’t forget that it is a good idea to not only thoroughly wash hands and your toothbrush; it is wise to wash or wipe off the tip of the tube or pump and the cap of whatever toothpaste dispenser.
                            
• Throw a toothbrush away or the toothbrush of anyone in the home who gets a contagious sickness such as a cold, flu or strep throat. Any toothbrushes that come into contact with the contaminated toothbrush should also be thrown away. Brushes should also be changed at the onset of an illness and again after

recovery.

Source: The Maryland Children’s Oral Health Institute