10 Bathroom Habits That Could Lead To Greater Health Issues

It might make sense to toss your toothbrush in a cup on the bathroom sink, but when you think about what goes on in that room, you might want to reconsider. When you flush the toilet with the lid open, a super-fine spray of water in the bowl—and whatever else is in there—is sent into the air, and yep, lands on whatever's in its path, which includes your toothbrush. Yuck! This can transfer E. coli and other infection-causing bacteria to something that's supposed to be used to clean your mouth, says Mark Burhenne, D.D.S., a dentist in Sunnyvale, California.First, always try to flush the toilet with the lid down to minimize bacterial spread. But it's even better to avoid the issue by keeping your toothbrush behind a cabinet door or in a drawer. Or use a snap-on sanitizer, Burhenne says. You'll also want to change your toothbrush (or toothbrush head if you use an electric version) every four to six weeks or during times when you're especially exposed to germs, such as when you're sick or traveling, he adds