Do you sterlize your toothbrush?

[shortbun]

We've just been through a rush of illnesses around here. I've been replacing toothbrushes each time someone passes contagion stage. It's getting ridiculous! lol! This time, I'm soaking them in Listerine and then boiling water. If we re-infect ourselves, I'll go back to buying new ones each time. sigh

 

[mickeyboat]

No, I just buy new ones. But we have never had round after round go through our house.

Denae

 

[icebrat001]

I rather spend the $4-$12 to replace a toothbrush than even risk getting sick again, even if that means buying 24 toothbrushes a year.

 

[Christine]

We've just been through a rush of illnesses around here. I've been replacing toothbrushes each time someone passes contagion stage. It's getting ridiculous! lol! This time, I'm soaking them in Listerine and then boiling water. If we re-infect ourselves, I'll go back to buying new ones each time. sigh

Nothing wrong with doing that. I have a Sonicare toothbrush and the heads are so pricey there is no way I'd be replacing them all the time. So, I would definitely sterilize. Not sure how well it works though.

 

[azgal81]

No but I've been sick for a few weeks now. Maybe that is why? I honestly never heard of sterlizing your toothbrush. Didn't even know you could. Toothbrushes are so cheap I would probably save myself the hassle and buy a new one!

 

[U2_rocks!]

I've never sterilized a toothbrush, and I have to say that I don't replace them simply because of illness either! They get replaced every few months I guess - not on a schedule, so sometimes it might be 3 months, sometimes 6. It depends more on the state of the bristles (some toothbrushes seem to hold up better than others) and whether they are noticeably dirty (they may need replacing sooner if I can see any grunginess at all). I've never noticed a germ go round and round our household - we actually are a pretty healthy bunch.

But if you've had a problem with it, or the bug was a nightmare one, I see no harm in soaking the toothbrushes in something antiseptic.

 

[ducklite]

I put mine through the dishwasher on the sanitize cycle once a month. I've also got the Sonic Care toothbrush, and the heads last longer than regular toothbrushes--about three months.

Anne

 

[Hedy]

I buy new ones, but they're cheap.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We put them in the dishwasher.

 

[bevtoy]

We've just been through a rush of illnesses around here. I've been replacing toothbrushes each time someone passes contagion stage. It's getting ridiculous! lol! This time, I'm soaking them in Listerine and then boiling water. If we re-infect ourselves, I'll go back to buying new ones each time. sigh

Send them through the dish washer.

 

[Chattyaholic]

The dishwasher - great idea! Never thought of it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I rountinely run all of our brushes and holders through the dishwasher every two weeks or so.

Remember, if you're brush holder cannot be moved it's important to Lysol it, too, or germs which live there transfer right back on the brushes after you've cleaned them.

 

[sha_lyn]

I soak them in 1 pt bleach to 7 pts water, rinse well then soak in mouthwash (to get rid of the bleach taste).
When DD had strep I was told to be certain to throw away her toothbrush when she was almost finished with her antibiotic.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I soak mine in peroxide, or run through the dishwasher, toothbrush holder and all, or replace them. I replace our toothbrushes every few months anyway.

 

[SamRoc]

We replace our toothbrushes alot but my family calls me "Monk" when I boil water and pour it over our toothbrushes! Everytime the beginning of that show starts where Monk is sterlizing his toothbrush, my family says "theres Mom!"

 

[icebrat001]

I soak them in 1 pt bleach to 7 pts water, rinse well then soak in mouthwash (to get rid of the bleach taste).
.

yikes!

 

[sha_lyn]

yikes!

 

[icebrat001]

The bleach. I'm afraid of bleach.

 

[sha_lyn]

The bleach. I'm afraid of bleach.

I guess you avoid tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, restaurants etc

 

[Imzadi]

No, it would never occur to me to sterilize my toothbrush. If I do decide to, Listerine now makes a Whitening rince made from sweetened hydrogen peroxide. Tastes much better than bleach or regular hydrogen peroxide.

Since research says most illnesses are transmitted through mucus membranes, like the nose & eyes (tear ducts,) I've always heard it is much more important to wash hands often & keep from touching the eyes & nose after touching things other people have handled. I wash my hands immediately after I get home from being out & about.

I would think it would be more beneficial to go around with a Clorox wipe (or bleach) and keep counters & the things that the whole family touches: remote controls, refidgerator knob, door handles, telephone, etc., constantly wiped down.

If you need a constant supply of new, FREE toothbrushes, look for Rite Aid's "Free After Rebate" sales. Almost every month I get a free toothbrush. You can now enter the receipts online and get immediate confirmation that your rebate has gone through. No more cutting UPC labels & mailing in forms, wondering if you are really going to get your money back.

Yesterday I received a check for $15 back in FREE items! Last month, I got a check for $18. These are only for the things I bought. I don't get everything offered, just because it's free.

The rebates are one per address, so if DH or you works at a different address, you can get another toothbrush & have another rebate check sent there.

Walgreens does something similar to the Free After Rebates, but you do have to mail in the rebates.

There are also coupons in the Sunday newspaper inserts. You can get Oral-B & GUM toothbrushes down to about 39 cents at both Rite Aid & Walgreens during a toothbrush sale each month.

Last idea is to look online & see if you can get a carton of assorted colored toothbrushes at a wholesale price.