With MAC, do you use tap water to brush your teeth?

@ansley do you typically consume a good deal of water when brushing, personally, or more or less use it to brush and then spit it out?

I always have a bottle of spring water by my sink but when I brush my teeth I just swish tap water and spit. I've been told we have excellent water, but who knows. For everything else, I use the spring water.

MAC is in all municipal water systems, don't use it. Distilled or puried is safe. I steam a lot of vegetables and so use distilled for cooking too. If you shower use a low flow rainwater shower head, this will cut down on aerosol spray.
Yes, I am paranoid!

I use it to brush & then spit it out .

I see others weighing in here about their practices. When I brush my teeth, I typically just swish and spit, so I don't really worry about the water supply - I use tap water unless in a hotel - there I always use bottled spring water because their "riser" systems are notorious for not being kept clean enough and often harbor other bacteria as well.

Sue

We Have RO with special filters and I drink from a LifeStraw bottle just to reduce the risk. Also, I try to swish with bottled water but don't always.

@suemn I do exactly the same as you.

Sue, What precautions should I take when I go to the beach, as to being in/near the water? I will take spring water to drink. I have MAC.
Than you,
Sylvia

Hi Lyle,
You’re not paranoid, you’re just trying to take precautions. I do as well. According to Dr. Joseph Falkinham, who runs in NTM lab at Virginia tech, distilled water is not sterile. Although the water itself is sterile, the equipment to remove the metals is not.

When showering, I use a showerhead with large holes so very little mist is created. And I take short showers. Also, I swap out my showerhead every six weeks or so with an under $20 one from Amazon. I had thought to perhaps buy six of them and rotate them, but Dr. Falkinham said that in a study they did in his lab, after seven weeks although NTM was desiccated on the culture plate, about half of the bacteria were still viable. So, instead of rotating showerheads, I just replace them. And then donate them to Habitat for Humanity.

It’s so interesting to read how we all are trying to protect ourselves in different ways. Best, Linda Esposito

I have used tap water in the past just because I’m tired in the evening and too lazy to go into the kitchen for my boiled water. Now, I’m putting new procedure in place. I purchased a Steripen, it uses UV light and was tested and Dr. Falkinham’s lab, to sterilize a cup of water in the bathroom. I find sometimes the smallest little changes can make a huge difference. We’ll see how this procedure works 🙂

I also use dish detergent to clean my tongue scraper and toothbrush. Then every couple days I pop my toothbrush in my UV sterilizer. I add my tongue scraper to the pot I use to boil my nebulizers and Aerobikas.

Best,
Linda Esposito