Doctor Says We Need To Wash Toothbrushes
Are you washing your toothbrushes daily with soap and water? If not, you need to start. That’s according to a doctor’s video on TikTok that is going viral. According to Men’s Journal, Dr. Joe Whittington is an ER doctor who has more than 1.8 million followers TikTok. Recently he posted a video explaining why everyone needs to be cleaning their toothbrush with soap and water after using it.
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Dr. Whittington says washing your toothbrush helps more than just your oral health. The doctor says that studies show that bacteria in your mouth may be linked to your heart health. In addition to reducing the number of bacteria and plaque buildup in your mouth, washing your toothbrush with soap and water can help you avoid heart failure and other heart related issues.
Many of us have heard similar theories. I’ve always heard that flossing can help prevent heart health. I use an electric toothbrush, and I’ve heard that making sure you change the head of the brush often can also help with bacteria.
Wash Your Toothbrushes Thoroughly
If you believe Dr. Whittington’s claims, you need to make sure you wash all the soap off your brush. Any soap residue will taste nasty and can also cause irritation in your mouth. You don’t want to smile with soap bubbles in your mouth!
The doctor also offers some other healthy tips in regard to your toothbrush. If you’re sick with strep throat or another illness like the flu, the doctor says you should throw your toothbrush away after the illness goes away and get a new one. If you’re like me and use an electric toothbrush, change the brush head after an illness. Since I have autoimmune issues, I always make sure to do this.
Another tip the doctor says can improve your health is to give your toothbrush a deep cleaning by soaking it in hydrogen peroxide or antibacterial mouthwash once a week. This I don’t do but will start!
These 8 Healthy Habits Could Add Decades To Your Life
1. Exercise
The study’s authors find that working out is one of the most important behaviors anyone can do to improve health. It can lead to a 46% decrease in the risk of death from any cause compared to those who don’t exercise.
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2. Not becoming addicted to opioids
Opioid addiction became an epidemic in America beginning in the 1990s, largely due to nefarious marketing tactics and over-prescription. Avoiding a dependency on opioid drugs can reduce the risk of early death by 38%.
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3. Never using tobacco
The study finds that never smoking can lower the risk of death by 29%. However, even if you have used tobacco products, stopping at any point in life comes with major health benefits.
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4. Managing stress
While some amount of stress will always be with us, especially during our working years, it behooves us to find ways of reducing its effect on our health. Managing your stress can reduce the risk of early death by 22%, according to the study.
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5. Eating a plant-based diet
This is one of the most challenging ones on the list. Shifting to a plant-based diet requires real commitment, but it appears to be worth the effort. The study shows doing so could raise your chance of living longer by 21%.
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6. Avoiding binge drinking
Not having more than four alcoholic drinks a day reduces the risk of death by 19%, study results show. As with opioids, alcohol addiction can lead to devastating outcomes, both for the user and the people around them.
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7. Getting a good night’s sleep
Along with managing stress, it pays to be mindful of one’s sleep. The study’s authors say that at least seven hours a night can reduce early death by 18%. I think it’s even worth investing in some things, like a humidifier, that can help with your sleep quality.
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8. Having positive social relationships
The COVID-19 pandemic showed what social isolation can do to a person’s well-being. Loneliness has actually been called an epidemic of its own, especially among the elderly. We all need supportive people in our lives. Those healthy relationships with family and friends can help boost longevity by 5%.
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