Find yourself brushing your teeth whilst showering? You're not alone. With our lives becoming increasingly busier and the morning rush a real thing - people often try to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Brushing your teeth in the shower may not necessarily be bad for your teeth, but it can lead to other issues. Here Payal Bhalla, Lead Dentist and Clinical Director of Quest Dental shares some reasons why brushing your teeth in the shower may not be the best idea:
“Water temperature: Hot water in the shower can cause the bristles of your toothbrush to soften, which can make it less effective in cleaning your teeth. Furthermore, it is recommended by dental experts to use an electric toothbrush for a more thorough clean, and whilst most electric toothbrushes are waterproof, I wouldn't recommend submerging them in water as it could damage the mechanism and bristles.
"Cross-contamination: Sharing the same water source for brushing your teeth and cleaning your body can lead to the transfer of germs from other parts of your body to your mouth. This could then compromise your immune system and lead to unwanted illness. 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. If you share the shower with someone else, there is a risk of cross-contamination. Sharing a toothbrush or exposing your toothbrush to someone else's bacteria can lead to the spread of germs.
