​60% of toothbrushes contain faecal matter: Here's how to keep yours clean

Time of India

6 days ago

Here's a disgusting stat that will ruin your morning routine: more than 60% of toothbrushes are contaminated with faecal matter. Yes, your toothbrush. And no, it's not because you're gross, it's because your bathroom is a bacterial playground.
When you flush with the lid up (which we all do), tiny poop particles launch into the air and land on every surface, including your toothbrush. Add humidity, poor ventilation, and bad storage habits, and boom: you're brushing your teeth with the toilet's greatest hits. Dr Samuel Choudhury, a Harvard-trained physician, highlighted in a February 16
Instagram post
that a common daily habit could actually be unhygienic. He also shared smart, science-backed advice on the best places to store your toothbrush safely, helping you maintain cleanliness and better oral health.
Here's exactly how to keep your toothbrush clean and faecal-free.
7 ways to keep your toothbrush clean and faecal matter-free
Toilet splash is the main villain
Toilets don't just flush, they aerosolize. Studies show flushing can launch microscopic droplets of water and bacteria up to 6 feet in the air. These droplets settle on your sink, your soap and yep, your toothbrush. If your brush lives on the counter and you flush with the lid up, it's catching toilet fallout every single day. Always close the toilet lid before flushing.
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Always.
Store your brush far from the toilet
Proximity matters. The closer your brush is to the toilet, the higher the risk of faecal matter exposure. A toothbrush parked right beside the bowl might as well be soaking in toilet broth. Keep your toothbrush at least 1 metre away, or store it in a medicine cabinet with ventilation.
Let it dry in the open—not inside a case
Moisture is bacteria's playground. If you're storing your toothbrush in a plastic case or travel tube at home, it's basically a spa for germs.
Research has confirmed that the damp, dark environment encourages bacteria to multiply, especially faecal bacteria. Use an upright, open holder with airflow. No travel cases unless you're, well, travelling.
Rinse it like you mean it
We rinse our mouths, but not always our brushes and that's where build-up starts. After every use, food particles, toothpaste residue, and bacteria cling to the bristles. Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly under hot running water after every use, and shake off excess water.
Disinfect it once a week
Even with perfect habits, toothbrushes still collect bacteria over time. You don't need to boil it or microwave it (please don't) just give it a weekly disinfecting dip. Soak the brush head in hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash for 10 minutes once a week. Rinse well.
Change it often (like, really often)
Using the same brush for 6+ months? Nope. Aside from faecal risk, worn-out bristles don't clean teeth effectively and harbour more bacteria. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.
If you've been sick? Replace it immediately.
Never, ever share a toothbrush
Even if it's your partner, sibling, or roommate, sharing a toothbrush means sharing bacteria, including gut flora, viruses, and yep, potential poop particles. Be territorial. Your toothbrush = your toothbrush.
Toothbrushes are like skincare, you don't see the dirt until it's messing things up. And in this case, that dirt is literally poop. So yes, over 60% of toothbrushes contain faecal matter, but now you know how to keep yours spotless. With a few tweaks- distance, drying, and disinfecting, you can brush your teeth without brushing your fears. Hygiene is self-care, and your mouth deserves nothing less.
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