Do Toothbrush Sanitizers Work?

The American Dental Association (ADA) notes in the Statement on Toothbrush Care that common organisms living on toothbrushes include e-coli, salmonella, staph, and viruses such as worldwide flu diseases such as influenza A and H1N1.

Several dental product companies make and market toothbrush sanitizers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared some of them for effectiveness in reducing toothbrush bacteria contamination within certain requirements. To be released by the FDA to sell products as sanitizers, they must kill up to 99.9% of the common germs, such as those known to live on toothbrushes.

These sanitizers use ultraviolet germicidal lights to eliminate bacteria and viruses. The FDA warns against buying products that claim to go beyond sanitizing, such as those claiming sterilization, because no commercially-available tooth cleaning product can kill 100% of germs.

VIOlight® is one of the brands approved by the FDA. It won the 2005 IDEA Gold Award for Medical and Scientific Products. The VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer and Storage system continues to gain dentist endorsements, media praise from the likes of The Today Show, CNN, Time magazine and more, according to the company's website. Lynn Pritchett, was introduced to it by a rerun of The Ellen Degeneres Show's 2009 Holiday segment, prompting her research and eventual purchase of the product.

Using ultraviolet germicidal light bulbs, VIOlight toothbrush sanitizer products are recommended for daily use to be most effective. It takes about six to ten minutes to sanitize and automatically shuts off. The combination sanitizer and storage unit is easy to use and needs minimal cleaning. Not only does it clean toothbrushes, it replaces the family toothbrush holder on the bathroom tabletop. The products are ergonomic, so both small children and people with arthritic hands (and other hand disabilities) may successfully use it. Of course, to get the most germ-killing effectiveness for each toothbrush shape and size, read the directions in the box before using the first time.

The combination sanitizer and storage system is budget and family friendly, because it cleans and holds four toothbrushes of all shapes and sizes, from tiny power toothbrush heads to the variations in manual and disposable toothbrushes. The average price for this system is $49.95. Other variations of the product are for sanitizing individual toothbrushes, for travel, bathroom countertop styles, and fun and funky styles to encourage children's. Prices range from about $11.00 to $39.95. All VIOlight products are available online and in discount department stores. Replacement ultraviolet light bulbs can be found on amazon.com for about $11.00.

Product Rating

On a scale of 1 star to 5 stars, the VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer and Storage unit earns 4.5 stars.

Although germs cannot be seen with the naked eye to prove it kills 99.9% of them, the VIOlight continues to be a good appliance. It meets the requirements of both the ADA and the FDA, earned the 2005 Gold IDEAS Award for Medical and Scientific Products, and it has proved the test of time in sales and consumer ratings on sites like ratings.net. People with suppressed immune systems, or those often exposed to disease causing germs, like anyone around small children, working or volunteering in hospitals, libraries, schools, or other places where crowds may gather, may benefit from this extra layer of protection from illness or spreading it to others.

Disclaimer

The rating of VIOlight product used is only the opinion and experience of the writer as a family consumer with personal health interest. there is not personal or professional connection with VIOlight, Inc., and the company did not provide any compensation, product, or solicitation in any part of developing this article. Individual experience and opinion on toothbrush sanitizers may vary.

Sources

Statement on Toothbrush Care, 1995-2010 by American Dental Association®
Medical Dental Dialogues, June 18, 2010 by Oral Health America
Reduction in bacterial contamination of toothbrushes . . . by Robert Boylan, PhD, et al
IDEA Award 2005 - Medical and Scientific Products, Business Week
VIOlight product information, VIOlight, Inc.
VIOlight product via YouTube on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer and Storage System product use by Lynn Pritchett since 07/2010; no solicitation, professional, personal connection or compensation with VIOlight, Inc.