How to Sanitize a Travel Toothbrush Holder

Sanitizing your travel toothbrush holder is easier than manufacturers of expensive ultraviolet light kits would have you believe. However, non-commercial sites like thriftyfun.com advise using mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide or even a dishwasher to sanitize your toothbrush and holder. But, precautions for dental hygiene are easier and cheaper than you might suspect, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) and Colgate-Palmolive Company's "World of Care" site. They say the main ingredients in keeping your toothbrush and travel holder clean are water and air.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

New toothbrush New toothbrush holder
New toothbrush
New toothbrush holder

Step 1

Rinse toothpaste and food particles from your toothbrush immediately after use in water. Also, rinse the travel toothbrush holder to rid it of bacteria. Shake off excess water from both.

Step 2

Separate your toothbrush and holder to air dry. Make sure the opening of the holder isn't covered so air can get to it. Whether camping or in a hotel, set it in the sunlight if possible. Natural ultra violet rays will help sanitize both brush and holder while speeding the drying process. Although a travel toothbrush holder can protect your toothbrush from flattened bristles, it can also harbor germs if the toothbrush is put away while wet.

Step 3

Put the thoroughly air-dried toothbrush back into the dry travel toothbrush holder and make sure the holder has a good seal to keep out any possible condensation and bacteria. When re-opened, rinse the toothbrush before using again.

Tips & Warnings

If you feel strongly about getting a toothbrush holder which claims to sanitize your travel toothbrush, the ADA advises getting one approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Approved FDA products must show their claims are valid and perform as advertised.

Don't use harsh methods like a dishwasher, microwave, harsh chemicals or bleach to sanitize your toothbrush or holder. The products weren't made to stand up to that kind of cleansing and may break down and wear out sooner or the cleansing performance many be inferior.

Article Written By Richard Nilsen

Richard Nilsen writes poetry, fiction, features and news stories in upstate New York. He was an emergency mental-health consultant for 20 years and directed a mentoring agency for a decade. Nilsen is a black-fly control technician in the Adirondack Park, where he enjoys hiking, biking and boating.

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