You do a lot to maintain your oral health. You brush twice a day, use mouthwash and floss regularly. But is that enough? Did you know that, depending on how you store your toothbrush, you could be inviting bacteria into your mouth? Here are six steps to follow to make sure your toothbrush is helping and not hurting your teeth.

Rinse Thoroughly

After brushing, make sure you thoroughly remove any remaining paste or debris from the bristles with tap water. Failure to do so increases the probability of bacteria growing on your brush – EW.

Store Your Toothbrush Upright

Let gravity be your friend. Storing your toothbrush upright in a cup or other similar device will help the water drain effectively from the bristles between brushings.

Store It In The Open

To avoid bacteria growth on your brush, store it in a place that gets some airflow. Storing your toothbrush in a drawer or cabinet means that it does not dry well, leading to bacteria growth that could result in a cold, sore throat or canker soar – yikes.

Keep Your Toothbrush Isolated

Storing toothbrushes too close together could result in cross-contamination. The bacteria from your family members' toothbrush could make the leap and infect yours as well.

Avoid Storing Your Toothbrush Near The Toilet Or Sink

It may sound counterintuitive, but you really should keep your toothbrush away from your bathroom sink and toilet. When a toilet gets flushed, there is an “aerosol effect” where bacteria can travel up to three feet. Similarly, the sink is used for much more than brushing teeth. You and your family members are also washing your hands and faces in that area. Avoid getting your brush covered in unspeakable germs and dirt by storing it on the other side of the room.

Keep It Away From Cleaning Products

If you don’t want your brush around germs, you definitely don’t want it around harsh cleaning chemicals – some of which are toxic if ingested.