Replacing Your Toothbrush After Illness

Cold and flu season is upon us, therefore if you’ve been unlucky enough to catch a bug you may want to be safe and replace your toothbrush. Once you’ve been infected with a particular strain of a virus, germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection. Dr. Vijay Munagala of Redwood Dental Smiles hopes you stay healthy this season, and here are a couple of ways to prevent your toothbrush from making you sick.


We advise that you keep your toothbrush away from others because airborne bacteria can be shared between toothbrushes stored near each other in warm, moist environments like the bathroom. Let’s say you have family members and all of their toothbrushes sit in the same holder. Even if you don’t put their toothbrushes in your mouth, the infected item might contaminate yours. When toothbrushes are stored in the same cup, their bristles can come into contact with one another, spreading germs in the process. To completely sterilize your toothbrush if you don’t want to replace it, we suggest submerging it in boiling water.


If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health or oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.redwooddentalsmiles.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vijay Munagala of Redwood Dental Smiles in Castro Valley, CA, call 510-886-6416.

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