Why don't we have to use a new toothbrush every time we brush?

We can do anything we want. The germs are in your mouth and are happy and productive. Rinse the brush with warm water. Replace when the bristles get squishy.

We don’t replace our hands but we do wash them regularly.

@gailcalled: of course we don’t replace our hands but we use soap to clean them! And I’m crazy about that, I only use antibacterial Dial, because that’s what the doctor’s use! hehe

That would get expensive. Just sterilize and replace every three months like dentists say

If you are concerned, or if there is illness in the house, the best way to sanitize your toothbrush is to run it through the dishwasher.

Using anti-bacterial soaps and cleaners is not productive. We were meant to live with germs. Using anti-bacterials just creates super bugs.

@Samantha_Rae: Personally I would shun all antibacterial soaps and products. We are designed to co-exist with many germs. Don’t become too delicate a flower, please.

Think of the Indians who happily bathe in aand drink from the Ganges. Their immune systems are accustomed to what would put us in bed and on the toilet forever.

We don’t replace our hands but we do wash them regularly.

For some reason I find this to be a very funny statement.

^^ My point exactly.

@Samantha_Rae Why don’t we have to use a new toothbrush every time we brush?

All other considerations aside, can you imagine the expense? Toothbrushes these days are quite costly. I don’t think I saw one for less than $4 the last time I looked.

Does rinsing off the brush really get rid of the germs?

I never think of brushing as getting rid of germs, I think of it as getting rid of the crap stuck in my teeth.

@Samantha_Rae: Not to freak you out, but we are probably made up of more germs and bacteria than anything else. We need those things to live. As @gailcalled and @marinelife said, trying to get rid of all bacteria in our regular lives (which for most of us is not in a hospital setting) ironically leads to much worse and dangerous bacteria staying alive. If you worry about your toothbrush, no need. Just rinse it every time you use it. If you are really sick, though, then I would think about getting a new one—although even then—unless it’s a dangerous infection—you probably have built up the defenses to the disease once you get better.

If your concerned about your toothbrush you can rinse it and soak it in Listerine for a bit. That will take care of the germs.

There is probably more bad germs on the handle of your tooth brush.

Brushing gets rid of plaque, the gunk that builds up on your teeth from food and drink. It’s not intended to remove germs – that’s what rinses such as Listerine are for.

The only germs that ought to be on your toothbrush are your own.

I’ve always been under the impression that as long as the toothbrush is allowed to dry completely, that takes care of any bacteria. If you’re really concerned about germs on your toothbrush, soaking it in Listerine is an easy way to disinfect it, as @lillycoyote said, or you could get one of those UV germ-killing toothbrush holders.

If you are really concerned about germs on your toothbrush, don’t keep it in the bathroom when you’re not using it. Or at the very least, close the toilet lid when you flush. What’s coming from your mouth is the least of your worries in terms of germs. :)

Doing more than just rincing is a good idea.

I use a different tooth brush at every brush, but then I throw them all in the dishwasher along with the silverware, and re-use them the next day.

Seelix:
Plaque is full of many types of bacteria. Using a toothbrush sweeps that bacteria off of the tooth surface reducing the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.