How to clean your toothbrush

Does it ever strike you as unhygienic that you place your toothbrush in your mouth multiple times per day without washing it between times? You wouldn't do that with a spoon you had used for eating, would you?

One hopes that the use of toothpaste on the brush and a good rinsing of the bristles before hanging it up again are sufficient measures to keep it sanitary enough for daily use. But every now and then, and especially if you are battling a viral or bacterial infection such as the flu or strep, it's a good idea to sanitize your toothbrush more completely.

Here are three ways I have come up with to clean a toothbrush.

1. Put the toothbrush bristles-down in a small ceramic or tempered glass bowl or cup with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in it, and pour boiling water in the cup to the top of the bristles. (Note: a cheap toothbrush may melt a little under this treatment. You will have to throw it out if this happens.)
2. Place the brush with the bristles down in a small cup, and cover with antiseptic mouthwash. Allow to soak for several minutes before rinsing out the brush and hanging it up to dry. (You can also use vinegar or lemon juice, which are natural antiseptic substances, but these will not taste pleasant next time you brush. Do not use a non-food-grade antiseptic.)
3. My favorite method is simply to place the toothbrush in the cutlery holder in the dishwasher and run it through with the dishes. You can use the "sanitize" setting if you have it, but it's not really necessary. Your toothbrush will be sweet and clean at the end of the cycles, and will have no soapy flavor.

As a daily practice, be sure you allow your toothbrush to dry out between uses. Germs thrive in a moist environment.