Adding a few quick and easy steps to your oral hygiene can help you to keep your toothbrush free of nasty bacteria so it can do its job effectively.

1. Keep an eye on the base

While you want to ensure the brush stays off the ground, you should also keep an eye on the base or handle. After brushing, water from the toothbrush and toothpaste can dribble down the sides to the base and collect on your sink, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

“Avoid letting the base linger in water for too long,” Dr Rajput recommends. “After each use, wipe the base dry, and if it’s building up gunk, clean it thoroughly with an antibacterial wipe and let it dry.”

Wall-mounted toothbrushes – like Suri’s magnetic system – can help to reduce this issue, but you’ll still want to wipe the bottom after you brush to stop any dribbles collecting.

2. Clean out your holder

Many of us will use a glass or dedicated toothbrush holder to keep our toothbrushes and toothpaste tidy and out of the way of the rest of our sink, but you need to make sure you keep this clean too.

“If you store your toothbrush in a holder in the bathroom along with your toothpaste, empty it out regularly and ensure water doesn’t accumulate inside,” Dr Rajput says. “If bacteria are forming, you’ll start to notice a sludgy black build-up – this is a sign it needs cleaning.”

3. Get a cover for the brush head

If your toothbrush is stored in a high-splash zone (eg right next to the sink), getting a brush cover can help to keep it safe from any bacteria that might be floating around.

You just need to make sure you keep the brush head nice and clean – the last thing you want is for your ‘hygienic’ solution to be passing more bacteria to the brush head.

“How can I keep my toothbrush hygienic?” A dentist explains