Why you shouldn't brush your teeth while taking shower

Consequences of brushing teeth in the shower

Brushing your teeth in the shower can save you a few minutes during your personal care routine.

However, showerheads have been found to harbor over a million bacterial cells per square centimeter.

It's important to know that many showerheads contain high levels of bacteria that can cause infections when inhaled or swallowed.

Furthermore, using the same water source for brushing teeth and washing your body can transfer microbes from other parts of your body to your mouth.

It's also crucial not to leave your toothbrush in the shower, as moisture creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and contaminate the bristles.

The damp environment provides optimal conditions for bacterial growth, so it's important to ensure your toothbrush is stored properly after use.

Brushing your teeth in the shower can expose you to bacteria that could potentially harm your dental and overall health. So, if you want to be cautious, it's better to brush near the sink.

How to properly brush your teeth

For brushing teeth, you can use a manual toothbrush or an electric one.

Here are a few basic recommendations:

• Wet the toothbrush with water.
• Apply toothpaste.
• With soft, short strokes parallel to the tooth row, clean the front teeth.
• In the same position, clean the outer surfaces of the teeth.
• Flip the brush bristles upwards and clean the inner surfaces of the teeth and chewing surfaces of molars.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• The entire teeth cleaning process should take 2-3 minutes.
• Avoid using abrasive substances such as sea or rock salt, baking soda, or ground charcoal instead of toothpaste. These substances are highly abrasive. They scratch the enamel, allowing bacteria to penetrate it and increasing tooth sensitivity.

Earlier, we reported on why cavities can appear even with proper dental care.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.