The infectious disease specialist reiterated this live on The Mosquito and in an informative video published on social media, pointing the finger at an object that we all consider “safe”: the toothbrush.
“It should be the cleanest thing there is, the one you put in your mouth — but no,” he explained, citing several clinical studies that for years have documented the microbiological contamination of toothbrushes kept in the bathroom, especially if placed near the toilet.
Bassetti, in his speech and in the video shared on social media, spoke clearly: “Thousands of bacteria and fungi enter our body through an unsuspected enemy: the toothbrush.”
Among the microorganisms identified by the laboratories cited by the doctor are:
- bacteria of faecal origin
- Pseudomonas
- fungi resistant to environmental changes
The problem, he explains, arises from the position of the toothbrush in the bathroom. It is often left in a glass, next to the sink, right in the area where the aerosols generated by the toilet flush spread.
When you flush the toilet… everything flies
Bassetti recalls a little-known but proven mechanism: every time the toilet is flushed with the lid open, an aerosol of particles is released that can reach up to one and a half meters away. Those micro-droplets can land on any exposed surface, including your toothbrush and the container it sits in.
If the scene seems exaggerated, studies say the opposite: dispersions of fecal bacteria and various microorganisms have been detected on tiles, taps, towels… and of course on unprotected toothbrushes.
The infectious disease specialist’s advice: small gestures that change everything
To reduce contamination, Bassetti suggests three simple but fundamental measures:
- Store your toothbrush in a closed cabinetnot on the sink or near the toilet.
- Always close the toilet lid before flushing the toilet, to limit contaminating aerosols.
- Clean your toothbrush periodicallyfor example in the dishwasher or with appropriate disinfectant solutions.
“From the toothbrush – he explains – we can bring thousands of microbes into our mouths every day, without realizing it”.
Proper management and hygiene, however, can significantly reduce risks.
The infectious disease specialist concludes with a clear recommendation: greater attention to domestic hygiene and daily habits.
Just one wrong gesture – such as leaving the toothbrush too close to the toilet – is enough to transform it into a vector of contamination.
A small revolution in routine, therefore: move it, cover it, disinfect it. Simple gestures to avoid ingesting every day what no one would want to put in their mouth.
