Before discussing toothbrush sanitizers, let us take a look at some of the facts associated with a wet and not properly cleaned toothbrush:

1. Germs can remain and breed on wet toothbrushes after brushing.

2. Toothbrushes can also be contaminated with germs from the bathroom, and from neighboring toothbrushes.

3. In addition to germs, things that may also have been collected on your toothbrush include bacteria, viruses, fungi (molds and yeasts) and other microbes.

4. Common colds/flu and other infections can easily be passed from one person to another when unsanitized toothbrushes are stored together.

5. Germs can prolong infections like gum disease, colds and sore throats.

Now we can see that it really isn’t a terribly good idea to leave toothbrushes wet and uncleaned. Toothbrush sanitizers work by killing the bulk of the germs and microbes resident on toothbrushes. In so doing the risks of infections by various microbes are reduced.

There are various types of these sanitizers. The more common ones are based on ultra violet technology and are quite easy to use. You simply put your toothbrushes in a sanitizing chamber and switch the unit on. Inside the chamber a UV bulb comes on and distributes UV light on the brushes. Typically after 5 to 10 minutes, the bulb switches itself off when the process is completed and the toothbrushes are sanitized. The word “sanitized” usually means that around 99 percent of bacteria has been killed.

There is another type of sanitizers using steam to do the work and taking water as input. Apart from the extra step of adding water, the steam-based sanitizers are just as simple to use as the UV-based ones. There is however a number of advantages with the steam-based sanitizers. First, the cleaning is a little more thorough as steam can penetrate nooks and crannies within the toothbrushes better than UV light can. Second, it takes a much shorter time to do the cleaning. Third, steam cleaners generally also clean the handle and not only the brush head.

Most of us understand the importance of keeping our teeth clean and yet somehow fail to understand the importance of keeping our toothbrushes sanitized. A toothbrush sanitizer should really be considered a bathroom essential.

Article Source:Toothbrush Sanitizers – Why They Should be Considered as Bathroom Essential

A single toothbrush can hold millions of microorganisms and harmful bacteria – live creatures that thrive in warm and moist environment, one that you can find in any average bathroom. VIOlight stops these microorganisms inhabit your toothbrush. A number of independent studies show that the patent – pending VIOlight system can eliminate up to 99.9 percent of the harmful microorganisms that dwell on our toothbrushes. These are the millions of microscopic bugs, which can cause flu, colds and other illnesses, zapped in minutes!

How many germs you can count on your toothbrush?

Researchers have found more than 10000000 of bacteria living on a single toothbrush. Hard to believe but it is a scientifically proven fact.

Useful to know

Several studies have shown that oral health is related to general health. Advanced gum disease is linked to heart disease, diabetes, premature delivery in pregnant women, and stroke. Tooth decay is caused by a bacterium that can survive on toothbrushes. Viruses that cause colds, flu and fever blisters can survive for many days of toothbrushes. Droplet produced by flushing toilets can port bacteria and viruses that can remain in the air long enough to settle on surfaces. Thus, one can acquire infection by the aerosol produced by the toilet.

UV Toothbrush Sanitizers

USA Today Health Review April 27, 2000 reported: “The most serious threat to the health of your daily may be hung in plain sight in your bathroom.”

Influenza (flu) virus, herpes simplex I, streptococci, staphylococci, yeasts and bacteria that cause gum disease, cavities, and even diarrheal disease can survive – some even thrive – in a high number of toothbrushes.

Some researchers have even found biofilm – breeding colonies of bacteria – on toothbrushes, and numbers greater than 100000000 microorganisms were recovered from the individual brushes.

Since most people keep their toothbrushes in the bathroom, bacteria from the mouth is not the only pollutant. Propels flushing of the toilet germs in the air, where they can land on toothbrushes. Toothbrushes are usually stored together; such contact between family members’ toothbrushes can spread germs from one brush to another.

Bacteria, molds, and fungi love damp environments and bathroom. They also do well in the darkness, so that the medicine cabinet offers the ideal environment for germs to survive and even to multiply.

Toothbrushes become infected some time between one week and one month after initial use. ADA and most dentists recommend changing the toothbrushes only every three to four months.

Some sources reported that the U.S. average citizen will probably change his/her toothbrush only twice a year. Ultraviolet (UV) light is a proven germicide solution.

It kills fungi like yeast and molds; disease causing bacteria such as streptococcus, salmonella and E. colli; and even some hearty viruses like influenza and hepatitis.

Proof

As easy as a brush, store and sanitize!

Numerous studies have shown UV light to be effective in killing germs on toothbrushes.

UV toothbrush sanitizers are reported to kill bacteria, yeast and viruses.

* A study done on the VIOlight toothbrush Sanitizer by Dr. Philip Tierno, Jr., MD, Director Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Pathology, New York University Medical Center, found that VIOlight removed to 99.9% of bacteria tested toothbrushes.

* Another study by Bureau Veritas, a global independent laboratory, also found that VIOlight toothbrush Sanitizer eliminates up to 99.9 percent of germs tested on toothbrushes.

VIOlight uses germicidal UV bulb – the same technology used in hospitals – to kill germs. Blue-violet glow lets you know the sanitizer is working. The entire process takes minutes. When finished, the bulb automatically shuts off and the toothbrush is fresh, clean and protected for the next time you brush!