5 Tips to Keep Your Toothbrush Truly Clean

Disinfecting and maintaining cleanliness are some of the most talked-about topics these days, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the items that should always be kept in pristine condition, no matter what time of the year it is, is the toothbrush. Appropriate cleaning, storage, and replacement of toothbrushes are extremely important to prevent the spread of diseases and maintain oral hygiene. The following tips detail the best ways to do so. 

 

How Toothbrushes Get Contaminated

• Mouth - Out mouths are home to millions of germs, including those that live in the plaque or on our teeth, such as those responsible for the development of dental caries (cavities) called M. Sutans. Moreover, they come in contact with saliva, blood, oral debris, and toothpaste. It’s no surprise that some of these germs can collect on your toothbrush and be transferred or re-introduced into your mouth during brushing. Even visibly clean toothbrushes can retain some leftover potentially harmful germs.
   
• Environment - Many people keep their toothbrush in the same space the toilet is found. When the toilet is flushed, the swirling water that removes waste from the bowl may mix up with small particles of the waste, containing bacteria called fecal coliform. According to studies, this bacteria can spread as far as 1.5 feet, and it’s perfectly possible for it to travel to your toothbrush. The same is true about the sink - bacteria and viruses could potentially be spread while you're washing your hands or other items in the sink.

Below we list several toothbrush storage and cleaning tips that can help you prevent the spread of germs.

1. Wash Your Hands Before and After Use

Wash Your Hands is probably something you've heard quite a lot recently. And it isn’t just a piece of empty advice, the fight against coronavirus has really put an emphasis on how effectively a simple hand wash annihilates bacteria. Your hands are the main source of transmission of germs, bacteria, and viruses because they come in contact with the biggest variety of surfaces and objects.

Washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds at least, before and after brushing your teeth is the simplest way to prevent unwanted microorganisms from ending up on your toothbrush. “People are vulnerable to the germs that end up on their hands and under their fingernail beds.”

2. Use Warm Water For Rinsing

Don’t underestimate the importance of rinsing your toothbrush well after use to remove any remaining food particles, toothpaste, and plaque debris. Warm water will loosen up the bristles and remove debris more effectively. Additionally, wipe down the handle. because bacteria can build up there as saliva and water run down the brush.

 3. Proper Storage is Essential

Correct storage is key when it comes to toothbrush hygiene. Always opt for air drying it after rinsing, as the bacteria that live on toothbrushes are anaerobic, which means they die in the presence of oxygen. It may seem like a good idea to use a cover for the bristles, to prevent contact with contaminated air particles but that is wrong!

Exposure to oxygen will kill most of the germs, while closed containers will make them flourish. Instead of covering the toothbrush, keep it as far away from the toilet as possible, and close the toilet lid before and after flushing. Another common mistake is to keep all of the household members’ toothbrushes in the same holder. This is a popular habit, but it is actually recommended to keep them separate and at a distance from each other, as germs also spread from brush to brush. 

4. Disinfection

If you want to take extra precautions, or you happened to drop your toothbrush on the floor, there is a simple way to kill the germs by disinfecting it with hydrogen peroxide or antiseptic mouthwash. Hydrogen peroxide can destroy essential components of germs and deactivate a wide range of microorganisms, while Antiseptic mouthwash contains various active ingredients, such as alcohol, menthol, and eucalyptol, which make it extremely effective at killing bacteria.
Here is how to disinfect your toothbrush with Hydrogen peroxide solution or mouthwash:
1. Rinse the bristles thoroughly in water after brushing.
2. Place some antiseptic mouthwash or 3% hydrogen peroxide into a small cup, enough to cover the toothbrush.
3. Soak for about 15 minutes — any longer risks damaging the bristles.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water before using the toothbrush again.
If you want to use a more natural substance, white vinegar or baking soda solution were found to be effective disinfectants, but they will not get rid of all the germs, particularly viruses. For the latter, just mix two teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of water and follow the steps listed above.

5. Replacement

According to the American Dental Association ( ADA), toothbrushes should be replaced every three months, or when the bristles become bent or frayed. When that happens the bush becomes significantly less effective at removing plaque. 

You may need to stray from that timeline if someone in your household gets sick. As mentioned earlier, the ill-causing bacteria can potentially spread to nearby bushes. Naturally, it is best to replace it after you overcome illness as well, to protect your family, significant other, or housemates.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Cocktail of germs on mobiles, likely coronavirus too

A new study has warned that mobile phones could be acting as “Trojan horses” for coronavirus. It found that phones host a cocktail of live germs.

The research was a review of 56 previous studies from 24 countries. While all those studies predate the current pandemic, the authors said SARS-CoV2 is probably present on mobiles and other touch-screen devices of coronavirus sufferers.

The review, scheduled for publication in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, found that 68% of the phones sampled in these studies were contaminated. Golden staph and E. coli microbes were among the most common bugs on phones.

Our recommendation is that phones should be decontaminated daily and regularly with either 70% isopropyl or by sanitising with (ultraviolet) devices like PhoneSoap,” said the study, led by biomedical scientist Lotti Tajouri of Bond University, Australia.

In a statement, Dr Tajouri described mobile devices as “five-star hotels with premium heated spas, free buffet for microbes to thrive on”. “They have temperature control, we keep them in our pockets, we are addicted to them. We talk into them and deposit droplets that can be full of viruses, bacteria – you name it. We eat with them, so we give nutrients to micro-organisms..”

He said people travelled with their phones “and no border officers check them”. “That’s why mobile phones are Trojan horses. We don’t know that we are carrying the enemy.”

Dr Tajouri said even the average phone user handled their mobiles an average of three hours a day. “You can wash your hands as many times as you like – and you should – but if you then touch a contaminated phone you are contaminating yourself all over again. Think of your phone as your third hand.”

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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Can Food Cause Cancer?

The food you eat is critical for your overall well-being as a number of cancers that affect the human body are of gastrointestinal origin. Stick to organic and chemical free foods to live a healthier life since they reduce the risk of cancer substantially.

Regular consumption of the food items mentioned below increase your risk of developing cancer, as well as many other conditions and should be avoided at all costs.

1. Microwave Popcorn- Most microwave-popcorn bags are lined with c8, also known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which increases the risk of certain cancers such as kidney, testicular, bladder, pancreas and liver cn notably. Microwave popcorn also contains an artificial or synthetic butter flavoring called diacetyl which is extremely toxic and obstructs breathing.
2. Canned Tomatoes- While tomatoes are considered to be cancer fighting foods, their canned counterparts are extremely unhealthy and may cause cancer. This is mainly due to the lining of the cans they are put in which contains a chemical known as bisphenol-A or BPA that has been proven to elevate the risk of infertility as well as prostate and breast cancer. Due to their (tomatoes) high acidity, BPA leaks from the lining of the cans and penetrates into the fruit. Tomatoes should be cooked fresh or stored in glass jars.
3. Processed/Grilled Red Meat- Processed meats such as sausages, prosciutto, bacon, pimento loaf, bologna, hot dogs etc., contain various chemicals and preservatives such as sodium nitrate. This is added to make the meat look fresh and appealing but are, in fact, carcinogenic in nature. Moreover, you should also avoid grilling meat since it releases a carcinogen known as heterocyclic aromatic amines. Another dangerous food item includes smoked meat since it picks up tar from the smoking process. 
4. Farmed Salmon- It is imperative to avoid farmed salmon because they are fed unnatural diets that are contaminated with carcinogens, antibiotics, chemicals, pesticides and so on. They also harbor sea lice, 30 times greater in amount than wild salmon. High levels of PCBs, cancer causing dioxins, and mercury have been found in them. It is advisable to opt for wild sockeye salmon instead of farmed salmon.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

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Best Rub For Cold

Normally, the moment you get cold, you rush for Vapo rub, once you read its content, you're going to make your own healthy option.

Virgin Coconut Oil + Eucalyptus oil
all natural, just 2 ingredients
Just take 2 oz of coconut oil, mix with 10 drops of eucalyptus oil in a small glass jar. Apply a small dab on chest and rub it in !

Vapo Rub
Petroleum based, often contaminated with PAHS, a highly toxic compound, which is linked to cancer, development and reproductive toxicity and immuno-toxicity.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

                                                                           FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                  https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

Bird flu or Avian Flu: 5 important facts you must know about

The scare of Avian influenza (commonly known as Bird flu) in some cities  has gripped the state as reports have confirmed that at least one chicken was infected with H5N1 virus. This was the first case in the city after a gap of five years, when bird flu was last reported in the city. Although there have been no positive cases. as per the reports, the government issued a notification declaring the area of 1 km radius from the chicken centre as infected zone and the area within the 10-km radius as surveillance zone. Here’s everything you need to know about bird flu.

#1. Avian influenza virus not only infects the birds and poultry but also infected humans. The virus has subtypes namely A(H5N1), A(H7N9), A(H5N8)and A(H9N2), of which type A H5N1 virus is one of the most pathogenic one.

#2. Bird flu in humans can be acquired either through direct contact with the infected animals or through contaminated environment. The majority of cases, reported so far, have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected poultry, which is either dead or live. Hence, consumption of cooked meat (infected with the virus) also carried the risk of infection in humans.

#3. The incubation period for the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in humans ranges from 2-5 days (however, in severe cases, it can range for 17 days). For infection with the A(H7N9) virus, the incubation period is 1-10 days. Hence, the symptoms of A(H5N1) infection include mild upper respiratory infections (fever and cough) to gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting) should not be ignored.

#4. The best and most effective way to prevent infection with avian influenza A virus is to avoid exposure with infected poultry (direct and close contact). Although antiviral drugs are used to treat influenza, it some cases it can also be used to prevent infection in people who have been exposed to the virus. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    
 
PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                      

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FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                       

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