The grim truth about why you should never brush your teeth in the shower to save time
BRUSHING your teeth in the shower might seem like a harmless way to save a few minutes, but it turns out it might not be such a bright idea.
According to one dentist, it could cause other health problems and make you pretty sick.
Payal Bhalla, Lead Dentist and Clinical Director of Quest Dental told HuffPost why it’s all a bit too grim for her liking.
The major issue is cross-contamination, the dentist revealed.
Since your body will have certain germs you don’t really want in your mouth, washing at the same time as brushing your teeth could transfer these nasty germs, Payal explained.
Not only that, but “the showerhead can harbour bacteria, and when you brush your teeth under the showerhead, you may be exposing your toothbrush to those bacteria, again increasing your likelihood of illness.”
Another issue is the temperature of your shower – which is likely to be a lot hotter than the water you’d usually use to brush your teeth.
Unlike cold water, the high temperatures of you shower could soften the bristles on your toothbrush, which makes it less effective at removing plaque.
The dentist also noted that you’re more as risk of having a fall in the shower if you also brush your teeth in there.
“Water and toothpaste can make the shower floor slippery, which can increase the risk of falls and injuries,” she said.
And although it might feel like you’re saving water, the opposite might actually be true.
Payal explained: “While brushing your teeth in the shower, you may end up using more water than necessary.
“For example, if you leave the water running while you brush your teeth, you may waste a significant amount of water.”
That said, turning the water off but remaining the shower could actually save some water, but you’d still risk slipping on any toothpaste.
Finally, the dentist explained that people generally shouldn’t leave their toothbrush in shower at all.
This is because the damp environment is the perfect place for bacteria to grow and thrive.
“Bacteria can build up on your toothbrush and potentially lead to oral health issues,” she explained.