Since the world is full of germs, it’s important to take measures to keep your house a safe and sanitary place to live. While you probably put a great deal of effort into maintaining healthy teeth and gums with proper oral hygiene, you may be neglecting to clean certain items you use to do the job. Here’s a quick overview of some of the dirtiest things around your house along with a few tips for keeping them in good shape.
Keep Your Toothbrush Holder in Working Order
Your toothbrush holder does the important work of holding your toothbrush in an upright position, which helps it dry out quickly after use to prevent the accumulation of germs. While this is great for keeping your toothbrush sanitary, germs from your toothbrush can colonize your holder if you don’t clean it regularly. To make matters worse, its location on your bathroom counter can expose it to all sorts of unpleasant airborne particulate matter. Wash your toothbrush holder as you would any other dish (by hand or in the washer) at least once a week.
Close the Toilet Lid
While it probably doesn’t surprise you that your toilet is one of the dirtiest things in your house, you may not realize how it can transport germs and debris around your bathroom. Whenever you flush, the force of the swirling water creates a microscopic geyser that sends particulate matter all about your bathroom. This coats nearby surfaces in germ-ridden grime that you’d certainly rather live without. The best way to prevent this from happening is to close the toilet lid before you flush.
Use a Clean Sponge
If you use a kitchen sponge, it’s important to realize that these objects accumulate a lot of bacteria and soggy food debris as they are used. While it might be easy to forget how long you’ve been using your sponge, using it for too long can coat the surfaces you’re trying to clean with nasty germs. This is especially unpleasant to think about if you’re planning to clean your toothbrush holder soon. Remember to replace your sponges regularly to help maintain a sanitary household.
Don’t let household germs get the best of your oral and overall health. Taking a few common-sense precautions can help you stay healthy by keeping your hygienic areas clean.
About the Author
Dr. Deidra Harrison-McClain earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Meharry Medical College in Nashville and completed her dental residency through the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Tennessee Dental Association. Her office in Goodlettsville, TN offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about practicing oral hygiene the sanitary way, contact her office online or dial (615) 859-0188.