Why Brushing Your Teeth in the Shower Is a Risky Multitasking Move,
Why Brushing Your Teeth in the Shower Is a Risky Multitasking Move.
Shower thoughts are some of the most ingenious inventions of mankind. We often think of ways to optimize our daily routines, especially when it comes to our hygiene. One of these routines is brushing our teeth. We’ve all been there, running late, and trying to save time by doing everything all at once. This is including brushing our teeth in the shower. But is this actually a good idea? Well, according to dental professionals, it’s not.
Brushing your teeth in the shower may sound like the ultimate multitasking strategy. But three reasons make it a risky option. Firstly, the heat and steam in the shower can damage your toothbrush’s bristles. This will make it less effective in the long run. Plus, the damp environment is a breeding ground for bacteria. Which increases the chances of cross-contamination. And finally, using tooth-cleaning products in the shower, which can be slick and oily, may increase the risk of accidental falls.
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As Dr. Arun Narang, CEO at Dr. Arun Narang & Associates Smile explains, “brushing your teeth in the shower may save time, but it exposes you to more bacteria. Tubs and showers are ideal places for bacteria to grow because they are constantly wet and warm. Sometimes shared with other family members.”
So, while you might think you’re saving time by multitasking, in reality, you’re just increasing the risk of dental problems and falls. As Fatima Khan, a doctor of dental medicine at Altus Dental in Houston, Texas, warns, even if you follow your in-shower toothbrushing with mouthwash, there’s no guarantee that potential cross-contamination bacteria will be eliminated. “Certain antiseptic mouthwash states they kill 99.9% of the bacteria in your mouth, which may include the bacteria if cross-contamination occurred,” Khan explains. “However, there are no long-term studies suggesting that using mouthwash will negate this effect.”
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But, hey, we all want to optimize our time, right? So, what’s the solution? Maybe a Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom to play your favorite tunes while you brush? Or perhaps an electric toothbrush with a timer? Whatever you do, just remember that taking care of your dental hygiene should always be a top priority. As the saying goes, “the shower is for singing, not brushing.”
Header image: Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik
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