Do you need to sanitize your toothbrush every day?

Posted by formergardener @formergardener, Sep 7, 2023

I am really vigilant about cleaning my equipment for nebulizing and airway clearance. What should we do about our toothbrushes? We brush our teeth multiple times a day. The MAC is probably on there. I can’t boil my toothbrush or use a new one each time I brush.

I read about soaking in vinegar. Is that pure or diluted vinegar? Should it always be left in a small glass with some vinegar after brushing and rinsing teeth? Then you have to rinse it really well afterwards (with your tap water that probably contains MAC). If you know your tap water does have MAC, what do you do?

I now have disposable cups and pot bottled water in them for rinsing my mouth as well as for cleaning my toothbrush. Am I doing too much?

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I use only boiled water to brush and rinse my toothbrush and then put it in a UV toothbrush sanitizer device after each use . In addition, I change my toothbrush every 2 weeks. An extra step can be collecting these used brushes and then boiling them to re-use if the bristles are still in good condition.

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@sue22

I use only boiled water to brush and rinse my toothbrush and then put it in a UV toothbrush sanitizer device after each use . In addition, I change my toothbrush every 2 weeks. An extra step can be collecting these used brushes and then boiling them to re-use if the bristles are still in good condition.

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Thank you. I have read about the UV sanitizers. Is there a particular one that you might recommend?

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Any feedback from a dentist or pulmonary doctor? I feel at times one can develop a phobia or become a bit paranoid about mycrobacterium

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I agree. I wish that they could all get together- the pulmonologists, infectious disease doctors, and the immunologists. Just sit down and address all of these pertinent questions and have a standard set of guidelines that can be handed to patients upon diagnosis. I have gotten information piecemeal from on line, doing research, and mostly from this wonderful site. A simple guide with what to do and what not to do and why. Just getting accurate information and guidance at the beginning can be so difficult.

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@formergardener

I agree. I wish that they could all get together- the pulmonologists, infectious disease doctors, and the immunologists. Just sit down and address all of these pertinent questions and have a standard set of guidelines that can be handed to patients upon diagnosis. I have gotten information piecemeal from on line, doing research, and mostly from this wonderful site. A simple guide with what to do and what not to do and why. Just getting accurate information and guidance at the beginning can be so difficult.

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I actually posted this in another earlier today. Then I saw your subject so I'll share what I do regarding toothbrushes. "It pays to read each subject posting because it can easily move into another subject. As far as the toothbrushes, here is what I do. I run hot water over it, flick the excess water off and then dip in hydrogen peroxide. After brushing I rinse the toothbrush under hot water, then hydrogen peroxide before returning to the holder.
Another thing I do, when I first get up I rinse with Peroxal (check out the foam it creates first thing in your mouth) then rinse out with bottle water. Feel like I'm killing all kinds of germs." Best to you as you stay diligent.

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Thank you, Sue. Yes, this is a very good overview and very helpful as a start. Then there are all the myriad of individual and sometimes quirkey questions that we have. Those seem to be best answered on sites like these. This site has honestly provided so much guidance and, like so many others on the site, it has kept me from feeling so isolated. Only people who are afflicted with this have a full understanding of the range of emotions and concerns, questions, and issues that arise.

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@fdixon63

I actually posted this in another earlier today. Then I saw your subject so I'll share what I do regarding toothbrushes. "It pays to read each subject posting because it can easily move into another subject. As far as the toothbrushes, here is what I do. I run hot water over it, flick the excess water off and then dip in hydrogen peroxide. After brushing I rinse the toothbrush under hot water, then hydrogen peroxide before returning to the holder.
Another thing I do, when I first get up I rinse with Peroxal (check out the foam it creates first thing in your mouth) then rinse out with bottle water. Feel like I'm killing all kinds of germs." Best to you as you stay diligent.

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Some great suggestions that I will try. Thank you so much.

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I rinse my toothbrush, before and after with peroxide....just my thought, not sure if it works or not.

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@squire123
Hello everyone, here is what the CDC has to say about toothbrush sanitation:
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/faqs/toothbrush-handling.html
If you want to do a really deep dive into the research, have a read here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7849112/
The takeaway there - No, they did not find Mycobacteria, NTM or other bad guys in the many germs there.

My take on this matter - brush your teeth with toothpaste, rinse your brush and stand it up to dry. Don't swallow or aspirate what's in your mouth when you do - there are lots of bad things in your saliva and tartar. Brushing is intended to remove them and wash them away.

My last comment on the matter, Sue

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