But First, How Do You Clean an Old Toothbrush?

To disinfect your toothbrush wipe the handle down with a disinfectant wipe, or disinfect with a diluted bleach solution as the CDC recommends. You can also use 70% alcohol. Do not store the toothbrush in mouthwash liquid, or any other kind of liquid.

The most basic go-to method of sanitizing your toothbrush is to run hot water over the bristles before and after each use. This gets rid of bacteria that may have collected on the toothbrush in the hours between brushings. It also eliminates new bacteria which may have accumulated after each use.

1. Mouthwash or vinegar. Soak the toothbrush overnight in antibacterial mouthwash or distilled white vinegar.
2. The dishwasher. Run the toothbrush through a dishwashing cycle.
3. Dish soap and water. Scrub the toothbrush clean using dishwashing liquid and some warm water.

Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda in 1 cup of water and soak your toothbrush in the solution if you don’t have mouthwash. toothbrush in a 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (H202) solution that is changed daily. Use enough solution to cover the bristles. This can keep your toothbrush disinfected.

Rinse the bristles thoroughly in water after brushing. Place some antiseptic mouthwash or 3% hydrogen peroxide into a small cup, enough to cover the toothbrush. Soak for about 15 minutes — any longer risks damaging the bristles. Rinse thoroughly with water before using again.

Allow the head of your toothbrush to soak in small cup of antibacterial mouthwash or rubbing alcohol for a few minutes before or after brushing. Not only will your toothbrush be squeaky clean, it’ll smell minty fresh too! Just remember to rinse it before your next use.

The difference between rubbing alcohol and more pure forms of isopropyl alcohol is that rubbing alcohol contains denaturants which make the solution unpalatable for human consumption.

Poor oral hygiene can result in breath that smells like poop. Neglecting to brush the teeth twice daily and floss regularly can make the breath smell as plaque and bacteria easily accumulates on and around the teeth.

Myth No. While we each have our own unique scent, menstrual blood itself has no odor. It’s made of blood and tissue that sheds from your uterus, and when mixed with the naturally occurring bacteria in your body, may smell a little less than fresh.

The normal, unpleasant smell associated with stools is a result of the bacteria. Changes in stool odor can be caused by the foods you eat. Even extremely foul-smelling stools can be due to changes in your diet.

The bacteria growing below the gum line (sub-gingival dental plaque) have a foul smell and contribute to bad breath if not removed. Signs that you have gum disease are bleeding on brushing or flossing, inflamed looking gums, bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene Bacteria breaks down food particles trapped in the teeth or mouth. The combination of the bacteria and decaying food in your mouth produces an unpleasant odor. Brushing and flossing regularly removes trapped food before it decays.

Brush using a fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath odors. Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, helping to control bad breath.

If you smell the floss itself, it may smell. If you’ve not flossed for a while, then this smell or taste is likely to just be old food particles that have rotted down. However, if you floss every day, then you shouldn’t notice this level of smell or taste.

Many bad-breath problems are linked to oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss well, your mouth breaks down the tiny chunks of food that are caught between your teeth. This can give off an odor that can smell like sulfur or rotten eggs.

They think they can pull a fast one on us, but here’s a little secret: dentists can tell when you’ve been flossing and when you haven’t. The way we can tell if you’re not flossing is if your gums are bleeding. Although there are other, less common conditions that can make your gums bleed, gingivitis is the main cause.