• According to researchers, there can be as many as 1.2 million bacteria on a single toothbrush. Also, a New York State Dental Journal found that 70% of used toothbrushes are contaminated with these bacteria.

• Your toothbrush is loaded with germs, say researchers at England's University of Manchester. They've found that one uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, including E. coli bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, and staphylococci (“Staph”) bacteria that cause skin infections.

Ultraviolet (UV) toothbrush sanitizers can be effective at reducing the number of bacteria on toothbrushes.

• Effectiveness

In one study, a UV sanitizer was more effective than saline or antiseptic mouthwash at disinfecting toothbrushes. Another study found that UV rays were more effective than CHX and normal saline at reducing bacterial count. 

• How it works

UV-C light damages the nucleic acids of microorganisms by forming bonds between bases in the DNA.