A dentist has sounded the alarm for those who brush their teeth while taking a shower.
Dr Surina Sehgal responded to a TikTok video, detailing the reasons why this practice might be detrimental to your health, and instead advocates for sticking to the traditional method of brushing at the sink.
The dentist agrees with the points made in the video, with it warning: “You need to stop brushing your teeth in the shower. Using the water from your shower head could put you at risk of biofilms and bacteria that can cause lung infections if inhaled or swallowed.”
The video also cautions: “Chances are, you’re placing your toothbrush on a surface in there which can spread bacteria, mould or fungus to your mouth next time you use it.” It further suggests that the danger is even greater if the shower is shared with other household members.
Moreover, the video highlights: “The moisture and heat also makes the perfect environment for bacteria to grow on your toothbrush. So if you really want to keep doing it, at least take your toothbrush out to dry completely in between.” Social media users chimed in with their thoughts, with one commenting: “It’s so much easier to just brush at the sink! “.
Another user defended the practice: “Call it survivor’s bias but I’ve been doing this since my mum taught me when I was 8 so 30 years.” Meanwhile, a third expressed concern: “I’m even afraid of Legionnaires disease without doing this.” Yet another claimed: “28 years doing it. Teeth much cleaner as you have time. It’s more enjoyable. Rarely get ill.”
One final viewer commented: “It’s the same water that comes out the faucet. I understand not putting it on a surface, but the water is fine.” In an earlier TikTok video, Dr Sehgal shared two dental habits she would avoid: brushing teeth immediately after breakfast and rinsing with water straight after brushing.
These suggestions sparked lively debates among her followers. One user responded: “I’m brushing after breakfast, ain’t no way I’m smelling peanut butter after breakfast.” The question of whether to brush before or after breakfast continued to generate diverse views online. One person raised a concern about taste: “But the breakfast will taste bad if you brush before breakfast.”
Another was intrigued about the timing of brushing in relation to meals, asking: “Shouldn’t I brush after every meal? Why is breakfast different.” A third person echoed the sentiment about flavour, commenting: “But the food taste horrible right after brushing the teeth, so that’s why I do it after eating. I don’t understand how you can eat right after brushing.”
The discussion also brought forth various perspectives on oral hygiene best practices. Another comment read: “It should be before breakfast to clean your mouth before eating and for the rinse, because rinsing right after will take away the effect of toothpaste.”