Toothbrush Hygiene Dr Peter Neal; BDS and Dr John Rippin; BDS, PhD, FRCPath former Head of Oral Pathology at the University Of Birmingham School Of Dentistry, gathered together research showing that within two days of use, a new toothbrush becomes infected with potentially disease producing bacteria, some of which remain alive and multiply on a toothbrush for hours and even days.

To combat this problem, Brushtox Antiseptic Toothbrush Cleanser has been developed by leading U.K. Dental Surgeons to combat toothbrush contamination and disinfect toothbrushes safely, quickly and effectively. Independent laboratory tests show that Brushtox kills 99.9% of all disease-producing bacteria.

Brushtox spray offers an effective and simple way to disinfect toothbrushes - just spray after each use. Brushtox Antiseptic Toothbrush Cleanser is recommended by dental surgeons for use on toothbrushes as part of a total oral health programme.

Brushtox is available in a 100 ml sealed bottle with a mechanical aero spray dispenser which dispenses a controlled amount of solution per spray and maintains an enclosed bacterial-free product. Brushtox has a pleasant peppermint fragrance and is quick and easy to use. One bottle will provide 30 days of product for a single user.

Don’t forget the bathroom is the most germ laden room in the house, and rinsing your toothbrush is helpful, but organisms are left alive and active, and cross infection becomes an issue in families or shared accommodation when several toothbrushes are stored in a single container. Research has shown that infections can transfer from one toothbrush to the next. The organisms found on toothbrushes that have not been cleansed with Brushtox are bacteria causing tooth decay and gum disease, along with serious infections such as Herpes Simplex, Oral Thrush; Gastro-enteritis and acute ulcerative Gingivitis, and can lead to upper respiratory infections, coughs, colds and sore throats.

Brushtox is indicated on a daily basis to help maintain good oral health and fight tooth decay. Brushtox is a *preventive measure to be used on a product which we all put in our mouths at least twice a day, our toothbrush. This is left unprotected in the most germ laden area of our homes, the bathroom. In doing so we are risking brushing known pathogens into our blood stream through our gums, if some form of *gum disease is present.

There is new data available showing a direct link between poor oral hygiene and serious systemic disease,
such as :

• Cardiovascular Disease (Heart attack and Stroke)
  
• Bacterial Pneumonia
  
• Diabetes complications
  
• Osteoporosis

*Health preventive measure defined as, actions taken for the purpose of preventing illness; promoting health; preventing transmission of an infectious agent.

*South Africa has an above average incidence of poor oral hygiene.