I’m a dentist and here’s why you should never brush your teeth in the shower

A dentist has urged people to stop brushing their teeth in the shower and warned that it could be costing them more money in the long-run. 

Dr Payal Bhalla, who is Clinical Director of Quest Dental in Ipswich, says this habit not only reduces the life-span of your toothbrush but also increases your chances of picking up an illness too.

Speaking to the Metro, Payal highlighted how regular exposure to scalding hot water in the shower breaks down the bristles.

This means people – who may think they’re saving time with this approach – actually have to replace their toothbrush more often as a result. 

Meanwhile, the expert warned of ‘the transfer of germs from other parts of your body to your mouth’ when brushing your teeth in the shower.

She continued: ‘The showerhead can harbour bacteria, and when you brush your teeth under the showerhead, you may be exposing your toothbrush to those bacteria, again increasing your likelihood of illness.’

What’s more, the dentist urged people against leaving their toothbrushes in the shower in between washes too.

She added: ‘Bacteria can build up on your toothbrush and potentially lead to oral health issues.’ 

Instead, she recommended keeping your toothbrush in a dry and clean place and away from sites of potential cross-contamination – such as shared toilets or sinks. 

In January, Payal revealed how juice cleanses, lemon water and oat milks can erode your enamel, trigger cavities and leave you with a yellow smile.

Advocates argue the liquid-only diet boosts weight loss, the citrus drink powers the immune system and plant-based milk is better for health and the planet. 

Dr Payal Bhalla, a dentist at Ipswich Dental Surgery, told MailOnline that while juice cleanses can boost overall health, they can cause ‘long-term damage’ to teeth.

The diet involves consuming only fruit and vegetable juices.

They usually last between one and 10 days and promise rapid weight loss.

But they are a crash diet — so unlikely to result in long-term weight loss — and don’t offer all the nutrients the body needs, such as protein.

On top of this, Dr Bhalla said: ‘The high content of sugar that comes from these juices after drinking them daily can wear away tooth enamel and promote cavities.

‘The bacteria that sits on the teeth after drinking juice may also irritate the gums and could eventually lead to gum disease.’

Even juices made just from fruit can contain around 16g sugar per 200ml glass. But many cleanses see people drink 3 litres per day.

Squeezing fresh lemon juice into water is touted as a way to boost the immune system, aid digestion and support weight loss.

Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which studies suggest can help fight off infections.

Citric acid has also been shown to help the stomach break down food, while the fruit is also thought to boost metabolism.

But Dr Bhalla said the habit may cause ‘enamel erosion or tooth decay’ due to the drink being highly acidic.