We've all heard the 3 to 4 month rule -- that's a message the American Dental Association has driven home for many years -- keep your toothbrush clean and effective by replacing it every 3 to 4 months. But have you heard the suggestion that you change your toothbrush after getting a cold to avoid re-infection?
The first time I heard this notion was a few years ago on a morning radio show, OK, not where I normally get advice on healthy living. My first response was "hey, that's smart" which quickly got rudely interrupted by my first year human biology professor's voice in my head (which, thankfully, doesn't happen very often) reporting that people never get the same cold twice. A cold is a virus after all, and our immune systems learn from every virus they beat, never to be fooled again. But I've been hearing this tidbit of advice, it seems, with greater frequency.
So which is it? We can't get the same cold twice or we can give ourselves a cold we already had from our toothbrush? Well, according to Slate we should save the money and the hassle on this one. Check out their article to learn more about about when you should actually change your toothbrush as well as some down to earth advice on best practices for taking care of it.
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Comments (12)
You can easily disinfect your toothbrush with a quick soak in some disinfectant mouthwash. Makes much more sense to clean it than to throw it out.
My mom would always throw our toothbrushes in the dishwasher after we have cold to clean them.
It turns out, you don't have to clean them after a cold. Because you can't get that cold again. In fact, the Dental Association says that going the extra mile on cleaning your brushes just shortens their life span, and is, in most cases, unnecessary.
On the other hand, brushing your teeth with a fresh toothbrush after feeling so crappy sounds like a nice way to return to the land of the living!
lyneebee my sentiments exactly. i used to clean by soaking in mouthwash and rinse in boiled water (when i saw the opening credits to Monk i had to LMAO). now i just dispose of them after 3 months - i'm just a clean freak, no apologies. i might try the bamboo toothbrushes next time i shop - but i don't know anyone who has tried/used it.
http://environmentaltoothbrush.com.au/
Honestly, the replace-after-three-months thing always sounded to me like it was entirely made up by companies that want to sell me more toothbrushes.
I replace my brush when the bristles look or feel worn, not before.
OK, I'm a dental hygiene student and while you can't get the same cold twice your toothbrush can all sorts of nasty bacteria that can cause periodontal disease (gum disease), gingivitis, or cavities. Also using a toothbrush that is worn doesn't remove nearly as much plaque (the bacteria) as a fresh one does. If you are looking to save a few bucks ask your dentist for an extra one each time you go and that'll be 4 a year....just enough so that you aren't having to buy any ;) If you use an electric toothbrush I know it gets pricey buying new heads. try asking your dentist for coupons or buy the off-brand replacements...happy brushing =)
We get them twice a year when we go to the dentist and I'd say that every month or so one gets dropped (usually by the goddamned cats who like to poke around on the bathroom ledge looking for things to mess with) thus gets peroxided or alcoholled. Seems sufficient to me!
I think it's really a misnomer that throwing out a toothbrush after a cold or flu has anything to do with general health or hygiene. Once you get said cold/flu your body will have adapted by making antibodies and you can't really re-infect yourself.
That said, if you're the type who only thinks about this sort of thing every time you get sick (which for most of us is only once or twice a year at most) then perhaps it's a good time to replace, even if it's not at all related to the issue at hand! :)
You won't reinfect yourself with the same cold/flu virus, but if you have a bacterial infection like strep, you can reinfect yourself once the antibiotics are out of your system, if you don't either sterilize or replace your toothbrush.
you cannot reinfect yourself with a virus. Only bacteria.
I saw a woman on the today show, at the beginning of the winter. She was talking about how to stay sick-free. She played a true or false game with Kathy and Hoda. One of the statements was "You should change your toothbrush after you've been sick." & the answer was FALSE. With each virus, as you said, your body builds an immunity to that particular strain. If you have the flu now.. and get it again in a couple months.. you're not re-infected. You just have bad luck and have gotten attacked by an entirely new virus. =/ So brush away with your sickly toothbrushes cuz that bug can't bite you anymore!