{"id":280,"date":"2026-09-07T19:51:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T19:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=280"},"modified":"2026-09-28T19:52:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T19:52:56","slug":"store-toothbrush-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/blog\/store-toothbrush-how\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Best Way to Store My Toothbrush?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image003y.jpg\" alt=\"Hand reaches for brush in holder\" class=\"wp-image-281\" style=\"width:380px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image003y.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image003y-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image003y-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your toothbrush is your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">first line of defense<\/a> against the nasty oral bacteria that erode dental enamel and cause painful and destructive oral infections, but it doesn\u2019t make sense to clean your teeth with a dirty tool. Thankfully, there are a few simple guidelines you can keep in mind to ensure you store your toothbrush in a sanitary manner that discourages the accumulation of infectious germs. Here\u2019s a quick guide to how you can keep your toothbrush in great shape when not using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Should I Not Store My Toothbrush?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some people store their toothbrushes in ways that allow nasty germs to easily grow on them. Be sure to avoid habits like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Storing your brush in the medicine cabinet:<\/strong> While it might seem like it makes sense to keep your toothbrush in a sheltered place such as a medicine cabinet, doing so will protect it from the airflow it needs to dry out between brushings. This keeps the brush in the damp, dark environment destructive bacteria love and can increase your risk of oral infection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storing your brush horizontally:<\/strong> Many people lay their toothbrushes down flat between brushings, but this can make it harder for the brush to drain off and dry out. This can make it easier for harmful bacteria to grow, especially if a puddle forms around the brush or if it is resting upon a damp washcloth or hand towel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Should I Store My Toothbrush?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s best to store your toothbrush upright in the open air using a toothbrush holder. This will make it easier for gravity to pull water away from the device when it is not being used while exposing it to airflow that will help it dry out. Reducing moisture in this way will make it harder for bacteria to grow, and exposing the brush to light will also help kill and discourage the reproduction of harmful germs. It\u2019s best to replace your toothbrush after several months or whenever the bristles start to become frayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t let poor toothbrush storage habits compromise your oral hygiene routine. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to keep your smile in excellent condition for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Lauri Barge earned her dental degree at the Texas A&amp;M College of Dentistry and completed her General Practice Residency at Olin E. Teague VA Hospital. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Denton County Dental Society. Her office in Flower Mound offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about excellent oral hygiene habits, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flowermoundsmiles.com\/contact.html\">contact her office online<\/a> or dial <strong>(972) 539-3800<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your toothbrush is your first line of defense against the nasty oral bacteria that erode dental enamel and cause painful and destructive oral infections, but it doesn\u2019t make sense to clean your teeth with a dirty tool. Thankfully, there are a few simple guidelines you can keep in mind to ensure you store your toothbrush [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Should I Store My Toothbrush? | Dr. Lauri Barge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Some ways of storing your toothbrush are more hygienic than others. 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