Oral care is an important aspect of life. Proper oral care not only requires the proper equipment but also for users to keep up with the proper maintenance and cleaning of that equipment. Just because an electric toothbrush cuts down on some physical labor, that does not mean that it self-cleaning.
While it is not hard to clean an electric toothbrush, it still needs to be done. While you could try and engage in daily cleanings, this is commendable but not necessary. For a good guide to cleaning your electric toothbrush read on for each step in the process and also advice on what to look out for.
What Are The Steps In Keeping An Electric Toothbrush Clean?
The good news is that you have some degree of choice in how you go about cleaning your electric toothbrush. To be clear, it is the brush head, the part that you are putting in your mouth that needs the most cleaning. You can resort to bleach, mouthwash or, if your particular model came with one, a UV light sanitizer.
Bleach Treatment
- Simply soak the head of your toothbrush in a 10:1 ratio solution of water and bleach.
- Leave the toothbrush head soaking in the water-bleach solution for one hour.
- Give the head a thorough rinsing after you finish soaking it so that you get rid of all the bleach.
Stick to this routine on a monthly basis to achieve optimal results.
Mouthwash Treatment
Antibacterial mouthwash is just as good as cleaning your toothbrush as it is at cleaning your mouth. Simply leave your toothbrush head soaking in a vessel of mouthwash for at least four hours. Rinse the head thoroughly when it has soaked in the mouthwash for a significant amount of time.
Stick to this routine on a weekly basis to achieve optimal results.
UV Sanitizer Treatment
Some models of electric toothbrush include an ultraviolet light sanitizing feature. Bacteria are a lot like the vampires of myth in that direct exposure to UV light instantly destroys them. In cases where your electric toothbrush has such a feature, simply follow the instructions and your toothbrush will be able to continue to serving you well.
These days there are many relatively inexpensive personal UV cleaners that some like to use for this purpose.
What Is That Brown Gunk At The Bottom Of My Toothbrush?
While electric toothbrushes are better at cleaning teeth than a manual toothbrush, they do have one unique flaw in their design. If you use one electric toothbrush long enough, you may notice the residue of a grey-brown slime forming over its base. This is because all of that nastiness you brush away from your mouth does not actually disintegrate into nothing.
In short, that slimy gunk is the result of the water and particulates used in brushing your teeth mixing together and pooling into the bottom of the toothbrush. The best way to mitigate this bacterial nastiness is to give the base a good rinsing every so often. Basically, run the handle over some warm water for a few minutes and give it a general scrubbing.
How Often Should You Change The Brush Head?
While cleaning a brush head is one thing, you should never stick with one brush head for too long. The simplest solution to this issue is to swap out the head every three months. However, if you notice that the bristles on your brush head are already wearing away before this 90-day period, you should also replace the head.
In Summary
If you want to keep your teeth nice and clean, you need to keep your toothbrush clean. Find a brush cleaning solution that works for you, be it bleach, mouthwash or a fancy UV cleaner and make sure to use it.
Remember that the handle of your electric toothbrush can serve as a home for bacterial growth and should be given a warm scrubbing every few days. Lastly, it is good practice to swap out your brush heads, whether you use an electric toothbrush or a manual one, either every three months or as soon as you notice significant wear on the bristles.
