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My toothbrush, this nest of bacteria...

She who we always thought was perfect for maintaining our Julia Roberts smile...how can she be so dirty when we rarely scrub the joints of our shower with her and we don't let her mold either?

This clever toothbrush attracts all the germs in our bathroom.

And you may be an ayatollah of the household, there is a gaggle of them! According to the study, the pot of brushes located on the sink is the most common case. Each time you wash your hands (dirty by definition), the splashes reach the brushes. Same thing for your toilet. You flush your toilet without closing the lid, and bacteria and microbes "remain suspended long enough to then settle on many surfaces in your bathroom," says Charles Gerba, professor of microbiology and environmental science at the University of Arizona College of Public Health. And if your toothbrush falls on the floor, we won't draw you a picture...(report to feet, shoes...)

We also learn that contrary to what we think, plastic cases placed on the bristles do not protect against bacteria and microbes, quite the contrary. They prevent hair from drying out and promote mildew. Several toothbrushes in the same container also promote contamination and that's how you recover the bad cold of your number 2 of 5 years.

Ok, so how do you keep it clean?

Change your toothbrush every quarter.

Or once the hairs really start to get damaged and go all over the place. You get rid of germs and ensure top efficiency (for our famous Julia Roberts smile).

Choose your toothpaste wisely.

When shopping, check the composition and opt for those that contain triclosan/copolymer. More effective than toothpastes that only contain fluoride in fighting oral bacteria.

Do not share.

Even if your friend Martine is sleeping at home after a night out and has forgotten her toothbrush, leave her alone with her bad breath and her bits of Apéricube between her teeth. You avoid transmitting and receiving new bacteria and microbes. Professor Ann Wei, a dental surgeon based in San Francisco, advises against sharing your toothpaste either. But if you live as a couple with 3 children, the toothpaste budget is still a bit expensive. So at best, be careful that the mouth of the tube does not touch the bristles of the brush when you apply it.

Clean your (brush!) bristles (hihi).

Pass the bristles under water after washing. You can also soak them in hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) or in a mouthwash containing antibacterials.

Leave your brush in the open air.

The ideal is to leave it in the bathroom cabinet, if you have one. If several brushes are sleeping in the same pot, make sure that the bristles do not touch each other.

Do not run to throw your brush in the trash cursing it with disgust over several generations. In any case, the bacteria will never all be eradicated. But by following these simple tips, you will be as safe as possible!