Whether you're brushing at home or on the road, you want to ensure your toothbrush is germ-free – as you do with all things you put into your mouth. But should you buy a toothbrush sanitizer to disinfect an essential instrument of your oral care? The answer: It depends.

Learn why having a toothbrush sanitizer is dependent on many factors, including the care you take with your toothbrush to keep harmful oral bacteria at bay. We'll also let you know how toothbrush sanitizers work – and provide tips on keeping your toothbrush germ-free without a sanitizer at home and on the go.

The Risks of Harmful Oral Bacteria

First of all, not all oral bacteria are harmful. Like good gut bacteria, some oral bacteria actually benefit you. However, harmful oral bacteria can cause several dental health hazards, including infections leading to:

• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease
• Oral thrush
• Oral herpes
• Canker sores
• Herpangina

The trick is to keep beneficial oral bacteria happy while preventing harmful bacteria from wreaking havoc in your oral cavity. You have the power to do this in a couple of ways.

How a Toothbrush Sanitizer Works

Let's talk first about the difference between sanitizing (or disinfecting) a toothbrush versus sterilizing it. A sanitizer can't actually sterilize a toothbrush, so you can't be sure it's completely bacteria-free.

Even if a sanitizer claims to kill 99.99% of the germs on your toothbrush, millions of germs could remain. Did you know you have 6 billion bacteria – good and bad – in your mouth? Amazing!

Nevertheless, a toothbrush sanitizer can:

• Give you peace of mind, especially if you're living with other people who are or aren't family.
• Raise your awareness of the care and cleaning of your home dental equipment.

Toothbrush sanitizers typically function in one of three ways so you can eliminate harmful bacteria:

• Steam and Dry Heat: Steam and dry heat take turns sanitizing the toothbrush, leaving it dry enough to avoid creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Ultraviolet Light: The sanitizing power of UV light zaps the bacteria.
• UV and Heat: Combining two bacteria-killers, this sanitizing method doesn't increase its effectiveness – it can still only kill up to 99.99% of bacteria. But it might double your peace of mind.

You can find battery-operated or rechargeable toothbrush sanitizers of all shapes, sizes, and prices with a simple search. There are wall-mounted, free-standing, and portable varieties. Some hold multiple toothbrushes, and some only one at a time.

Whatever type of toothbrush sanitizer you choose to use, the American Dental Association (ADA) advises only buying ones approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Keeping Your Toothbrush Clean at Home and On the Go

You might be a DIYer. If so, you shouldn't need a toothbrush sanitizer as long as you take these easy steps:

• Wash your hands before brushing (and flossing) to avoid transferring the bacteria on your hands to your toothbrush.
• Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly with water after use. Ensure you remove all toothpaste residue and loose debris where bacteria can shelter.
• Store your toothbrush in an upright position so it can dry quickly – located away from the toilet bowl and sink. This avoids bacteria-laden water or gasses from either location splashing or infiltrating your toothbrush.
• Don't share toothbrushes with anyone, regardless of how well you know (or love) them. Everyone has different oral bacteria, and you don't want to pass on or share each other's bacteria.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months to avoid using one with frayed and worn bristles that can trap bacteria and damage your gums.
• Use antimicrobial toothpaste to keep the germs down in your mouth.

Once a week, you can also soak your toothbrush in antimicrobial mouthwash for a few minutes or in a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda for 30 minutes.

Commercial toothbrush sanitizers might work for you in keeping harmful oral bacteria from causing mayhem in your mouth. But keeping your brush bacteria-free without a toothbrush sanitizer requires only a few simple steps you can take anywhere. So, it all depends on your lifestyle and how you opt to disinfect your brush. But whatever you choose, you can make your toothbrush a model of sanitary cleanliness.

How and Why to Sanitize Your Toothbrush

Think about it. You brush your teeth at least twice a day (we hope). You know you have to brush your teeth to prevent gum disease and to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

You also know your mouth has millions of germs. Yet after you brush your teeth, you give your toothbrush a quick rise and put it back in your toothbrush holder.

Ordinarily, this is no big deal. However, there are times when you should sanitize your toothbrush. If someone in your family has a cold, you will need to sanitize your toothbrush, as cold germs can spread from person to person quickly via toothbrushes.

Also, if someone in your family has been diagnosed with the flu, you will also want to sanitize your toothbrush. One of the most important times you will need to sanitize your toothbrush is if you or a family member have strep throat. Research has shown that strep throat spreads quickly via toothbrushes.

Worried that someone’s illness in your family might spread? Or just concerned that your toothbrush isn’t so sanitary? Here are some tips for sanitizing your toothbrush.

Sanitizing Your Toothbrush

One way to make your toothbrush more sanitary is to find a good antibacterial mouthwash. Soak your toothbrush in the mouthwash for about 5 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly in hot water and let it dry.

Another way to sanitize your toothbrush is to soak it in a cup of hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes, and rinse thoroughly in hot water. You can also boil your toothbrush in hot water for 3 minutes. Many people choose to do this in the microwave, as it is less hard on the plastic part of your toothbrush.

You may have heard that you can run your toothbrush through the dishwasher to sanitize it. You can do that, but be sure to run it through on the hot cycle–no dishwashing soap. Buying a UV toothbrush sanitizer can also allow you to keep your toothbrush clean.