Dentists Warn Brushing Teeth In The Shower Is Dangerous

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Having good dental hygiene is incredibly important - no one wants to have to get a root canal treatment - so most people brush their teeth twice a day. Some choose to kill two birds with one stone and clean their teeth while they are washing the rest of their body - in the shower. However, it turns out that is not the best way to get the job done and it can actually be rather unsafe as well.

Dr. Payal Bhalla, the lead dentist and clinical director of Quest Dental, told the Daily Mirror that not only is it not great for your teeth, but for your whole body too. For one thing, Dr. Bhalla explained, "Hot water in the shower can cause the bristles of your toothbrush to soften, which can make it less effective in cleaning your teeth." She went on to note, "It is recommended by dental experts to use an electric toothbrush for a more thorough clean, and whilst most electric toothbrushes are waterproof, I wouldn't recommend submerging them in water as it could damage the mechanism and bristles."

But the bigger issue is the germs in the shower. She stated, "Sharing the same water source for brushing your teeth and cleaning your body can lead to the transfer of germs from other parts of your body to your mouth. This could then compromise your immune system and lead to unwanted illness. The shower head can harbor bacteria, and when you brush your teeth under the shower head, you may be exposing your toothbrush to those bacteria, again increasing your likelihood of illness. If you share the shower with someone else, there is a risk of cross-contamination."

As if that weren't enough, brushing your teeth in the shower adds one other danger according to the dentist, "Water and toothpaste can make the shower floor slippery, which can increase the risk of falls and injuries."

Her advice - just brush your teeth at the sink.


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